American Wilderness Areas 756 Wilderness Areas, 443,045 sq. km Czech Republic 78,870 sq. km

Wilderness areas managed by 4 Federal Agencies

Yellowstone is a very unique area in NW Wyoming Family trip in Stayed at horse riding camp in Shoshone National Forest and made day trips into Yellowstone.

Stopping to enjoy the waterfalls…

Yellowstone has largest buffalo (bison) herd in America

Bighorn Sheep crossed road in front of car

Many thermal areas because of volcanos

Horse rides into the Shoshone Forest We saw a grizzly bear and her yearling cub running up the mountain.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) BWCA is most visited Wilderness Area in America. For 25 dollars you can get an entry permit for a group of 4 canoes and up to 9 people and stay as long as you want. Many lakes with designated campsites. Portage routs between lakes.

BWCA In this age when most of us live in cities and towns, wilderness areas have become important places in our lives. Even if we don't visit wilderness, we like to know there are places where natural systems function without human influence--places where the complex web of life continues, uninterrupted, from ancient times to today. For those of us who do visit wilderness, a sense of renewal, spiritual refreshment, and deep relaxation are our rewards. Solitude, peace, self-reliance, and simplicity are the values we seek.

BWCA Entry Points They limit how many permits are allowed each day so that they can avoid over crowding and give everyone a true wilderness experience. 38 = Sawbill.

Three day loop out of Sawbill entry point

National Forest Campground at Sawbill Lake No entry permit necessary for day trips into the BWCA. Sawbill is at the end of a 25 mile/42 km sand road through the National Forest. They still do not have electricity or phone service. The Canoe Outfitter is a family business that started in No cans or bottles allowed in BWCA.

Friendly Deer in the Sawbill Campground. The black bears are also around the campground.

First Camp on Alton Lake Camping at designated Campsites on a first come first serve basis. Campsites have a fire grate and a pit toilet.

Fire pit/grate and Pit toilets

40 rod portage to Wonder Lake

Next camp on Grace Lake

Many different paths to explore

Eagles and Loons

Moose and Blueberries

Northern Pike and Walleyes

Wolves and Lynx

Scenery and Solitude

Sunsets and Swallowtails

Calm Waters and Waterfalls

What to take with you? Water filter pump and water bottles, matches Dehydrated food, noodles, oatmeal, trail mix, drink mix. Fish frying stuff, butane stove, coffeepot. Tent, Sleeping bag, Rain Tarp, Rain gear Bear bag and rope and garbage bag, bear spray, air horn, gun Fishing tackle, sandals Maps and compass and first aid kit Extra paddle, rope, bungee cords, waterproof pack Kevlar canoe, Camera

2 feet of ice on Sawbill lake – May 3 rd, /3/13 - Today's Sawbill Lake ice report: No change with ice depth at 24". It may have actually added a little ice and had definitely firmed up with this little cold snap we're experiencing. It is actually snowing lightly as I write this. The forecast shows dramatic warming in the near future, so don't lose hope. I still think the ice will go fast once the temperatures swing back up. - Bill 5/2/13 - Today's Sawbill Lake ice report: 24" of ice. We had freezing temperatures overnight, but the predicted snow did not materialize. The lake surface is frozen hard enough to walk on this morning. - Bill

Moose watching Oct 4, 2012 From Michiganers Jack and Debbie Cook: What an adventure we had! We saw the beauty of Cherokee Lake, hiked through the rugged portages between Town and Brule. On Weird Lake we watched two moose for 40 minutes. And perhaps best of all, we howled with the wolves on Smoke Lake. They were so close to us we could hear them walking in the brush and lapping water! It was great seeing you again, and thanks to your crew for all the help they provided. Sawbill is a very special place, and we can't wait to return.