Voyageurs National Park is a water haven. Made from several waterways that once boomed from trade and travel in the early 1700’s. Voyageurs’ landscape is abundant with rocks and filled with dense woods. Woods that hug the outer edges of the northern boreal forest along with the Canadian Shield.
The Canadian Shield is a massive dome of volcanic bedrock that forms the core of the continent. Powerful geologic forces continue to uplift and erode the landscape. They’ve created the complex ecosystem found today.
Decomposed vegetation covered the bedrock when the glaciers retreated, around 10,000 years ago. This created less than a foot of topsoil. Which was enough for the southernmost reaches of the Boreal Forest to sprout.
Conifers like spruce and pine mingle with hard woods, such as birch and aspen. This creates a dense and lush canopy that grows low. These dense forests blanket the land. Which create a patchwork of second growth boreal species. There is a dynamic diversity of plants and animals found within the ecosystem.
The ecosystem is fragile and lives life on the edge due to heavy influence from modern industry. Logging, mining, commercial fishing, and fire suppression have shaped the forest. These processes have affected water levels as well. In recent years, efforts have increased to improve the habitats for fish, birds, and aquatic life.
For several generations the fur trade was one of North America’s biggest industries. The Europeans came to the continent in search of their own fortunes. They were fortunate to discover the established trapping, trading, and travel routes.
The Ojibwe Indians were the protectors of the prosperous fur lands. They looked over the regions north and west of the Great Lakes. The Ojibwe provided supplies and canoe brigades. That consisted of food, birchbark canoes, and other essentials. Their skills as traders, guides, interpreters, hunters, and trappers were very useful.
The fur trade was a competitive commercial enterprise. It relied upon a complex network of Indian alliances. The trade industry is full of specialized occupations. Such as trappers, traders, clerks, and canoe men. They became known by the French word that has become the namesake of the park, a Voyageur.
This spectacular land is full of rugged dense forest. Accompanied by a diverse, and sometimes, controversial history. One that was officially christened a National Park in 1975. Due to encroaching industries, there were several unsuccessful attempts that date back as far as 1891.
Always Have a Plan!
Always have a plan when visiting a National Park. Include at least a couple of days to explore everything the park has to offer. I arrived at the park close to 11 am and tackled a few of the smaller hikes/exhibits on my way to the visitor’s center.
In total, the park offers five hikes that are accessible from the Ash River Visitor Center. These hikes include informational exhibits on the fauna and wildlife inhabiting the area. Combine all five hikes for a total distance of close to 6 miles . Not one of these had a strenuous section. The best part is that each one offers a different view of the lake and the waterways.
Sullivan Bay Trail was by far the highlight. The trail was a flat, 0.6-mile one way walk, to a picnic table and fire pit overlooking Sullivan Bay. I had lunch while I enjoyed the sounds of boats motoring by. They made the waves splash and dance along the shoreline. While the rich call of local loons echoed across the surface of the lake.
Voyageurs National was a fantastic and unique experience and one I cannot wait to do again. Next time, I would be more prepared and plan for a canoe camping trip. I would spend at least 3-4 days and explore different campgrounds around the various waterways. Oh, and I would be hard pressed to forget to keep my eyes peeled for the always allusive Northern Lights.
