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Post by OldScout1948 on Nov 19, 2004 13:58:56 GMT -5
PG, although the post on the Kelso Moutain firetower was hard to read, I did read it..
I hiked up to the tower site about 2 years ago, so was very interested in what your aunt said.
On one of the other boards we have discussed the Kelso domen (big rock sitting 3 little rocks) across from the trail to the tower.
You may have some thoughts on how it got there, I have my own.
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Post by OldScout1948 on Nov 19, 2004 14:08:40 GMT -5
Here is some more on the Kelso Mt. trail.
It almost matches your great aunt's statements.
Kelso Mountain Trail
How to get there:
From Duluth, Minnesota, drive to Tofte on Hwy. 61, turn left onto Sawbill Trail and drive to Sawbill Lake (about 24 miles). At the Sawbill Lake is USFS multiple site campground, parking lot, Sawbill Canoe Outfitters ( with a supplies store and showers), and canoe landing.
Canoe portion of the route (5 miles):
From the canoe landing at Sawbill, paddle north, then west to Kelso River (30 rod portage) upstream on Kelso River (don't worry about negligible current) and continue north on Kelso Lake and into Kelso River again. Kelso River winds and splits into two streams. Stay to the left. Eventually, you will approach a remnant of a beaver dam with a clear channel going through. On east side of the BD is a large boulder, called dolmen, perched on three small rocks. The landing and trailhead is on the west side, of the river, opposite and across from the dolmen. Remains of a small dock are still visible under the water near shore.
Trail portion of the route (1.25 miles to the peak)
Trail goes straight uphill, around boulders and then turns right through wet spots (depending on season and rainfall) Trail winds around, and at one spot the path will drop ahead of you in a small valley. You will cross an old beaver dam and on your right will be dried up lake. After the old BD the trail veers off to the left for a few yards (don't trip over the stiff telephone wire on ground) and then to the right and uphill. In fall, this is the most colorful part of the trail because of the mixture of birch, aspen and maple. Eventually you will reach Oriole Lake. At Oriole Lake, cross the beaver dam, and then follow the shore for about 50 yards. Keep an eye on right for opening in the brush. The brush may have overgrown the trail, but you should be able to see a pattern where it has been cleared years ago. Seventy yards up you will see four birch trunks on the right (with orange flagging, if not taken down). The trail turns left, and you might be able to spot an old telephone pole or two. From now on the trail has been made scenic only by the big strom of 1999 which opened few vistas on the left. After twisting and winding you will reach the top. There is an outhouse, woodshed and few relics of the past. The tower has been long removed, the cabin burned down in name of wilderness but the tower footings still remain, bearing witness that people have lived there, along with few garden type variety flowers that have survived in abandonment.
Status:
Kelso Mountain Trail is officialy off the USFS wilderness trail inventory and has been so for number of years. It is hoped that the US Forest Service will restore the trail. Kelso Mountain Trail has been recognized by the White House Millennium Council and designated a "Community Millennium Trail" in a proclamation signed by Hillary Clinton in 2000. Presently, the trail is passable except for a few treefalls, but it is not maintained by the US Forest Service,
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Post by PG on Nov 19, 2004 14:46:09 GMT -5
I'd imagine the flowers were V's. Can't imagine a guy watching the tower would be that interested in flowers - plus I think she says (in the narrative) she was the last one on the tower.
PG
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Post by PG on Nov 21, 2004 23:21:47 GMT -5
Found some great old photos of V. tonight . In one she is standing with a gun showing off a huge wolf she's shot. Found photos of Grandma Baker as well. Will put them up on the board if I can figure out how.
PG
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Post by PG on Nov 22, 2004 8:03:09 GMT -5
Old Scout:
How do you think the dolman's got there?
PG
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Post by OldScout1948 on Nov 22, 2004 8:26:43 GMT -5
The Kelso Dolman:
If you have been to the Kelso Fire Tower site, a couple of things would come to mind.
First, this tower is was built high on a mountain about 1 1/2 miles from the water.
It should be noted that they had a portage railroad across the portage from Sawbill Lake to the Kelso river, so the movement of building materials to the site was probably not a major problem.
They may have used horses and sled to move the heavy items up to the site.
Second, most of the fire towers were built by the CCC crews in the mid-30s. There was in fact a large CCC camp just 6 miles down the road from Sawbill Lake.
My guess is, that since the dolman (large boulder sitting on three smaller rocks) is straight across the river on a small island about 60' to 90' from the trail to the Kelso Fire Tower, it was done by the CCC crews. There would have been a lots of guys and they would have had lots of lifting tools available to them.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
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Post by BWCAyoungster on Nov 23, 2004 20:39:57 GMT -5
I'm really loving these BWCA history lessons PG. Keep it up. By the way the Kelso Mountain fire tower site was just added to my must see list!
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Post by OldScout1948 on Nov 24, 2004 17:23:28 GMT -5
PG, Thanks for taking the time to post these transcribed tapes.
I still have tears in my eyes after reading it.
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