Permit reservations for spring and summer trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area go up for grabs next Wednesday.
The so-called quota permits are required for visitors taking overnight paddle, motor or hiking trips to the 1 million-acre wilderness between May 1 and Sept. 30.
Motorized day trips also require a permit. Because popular entry points and times sell out, officials at the Superior National Forest suggest applicants have at least three travel options in mind when the system opens at 9 a.m. on Jan. 29.
Many permits are available throughout the season, but motorized access to Basswood Lake and other high-demand trips — especially when taken over popular dates — are scarce. Besides keeping alternate trips in mind, early permit seekers should pre-establish an account at reservations.gov before the rush.
Most reservations are made online at recreation.gov, but permits also can be obtained by calling 1-877-444-6777.
Snowmobile yesteryear
Nostalgic snowmobilers can travel back in time during a weekend of vintage sled activity at Elk River Motorsports Park.
The Midwest Vintage Ride-in could draw as many as 10,000 winter revelers Friday through Sunday for trail riding, racing, show-and-tell, a live auction, banquet, awards and a contest of who has the loudest machine.
One of the highlights will take place Saturday at 11 a.m. when as many as 1,000 old sleds parade around the property.
