Winter Arrives at Deep Portage

We're skiing! We could use some more snow, but the trails are groomed, and ski classes are out striding through the woods. The photo below shows Deep Portage instructor Casey Stanley giving a new skier from Blackduck Elementary some pointers out on the trail. -9 this morning....the coldest so far this season. Blackduck Elementary is with us this week, and a big group from Milaca is coming in next week. Happy Holidays to everyone!

A Beautiful October

We've had a stretch of magnificent weather so far this month. The last week in particular has been classic autumn all the way; seasonally warm, sunny days, and cool, crisp nights. Last week we hosted a day group from Nevis Elementary (K-2nd grade), and had a residential visit from our great friends at Cuyuna Range Elementary. Below are a few pics from their respective stays. Deer season is approaching, and the Deep Portage range will be open to the public from 1-3 PM on Saturday, October 23rd for our annual "sight in your rifle" program. Call or check our website for more details. See you on the trails!

Deep Portage naturalist Casey Stanley talks Minnesota pines with youngsters from Nevis

Cuyuna Range students learn about birds....see the Black-capped Chickadee!

A Warm October at Deep Portage

Temps are supposed to reach into the 70s this weekend, but the falling leaves are a reminder that winter is around the corner. Enjoying the nice weather this week is Eagle Point Elementary. See photos from their visit below. This weekend Deep Portage is hosting its annual meeting of trustees, and also the last public Tree-Top Tower Hike of the season. Catch the last of autumn's colors before their gone! See you on the trails!

A calm morning on Bass Pond

on the hunt for aquatic life

A solo attempt on the rock wall

Autumn Arrives

We're rolling along into a beautiful fall season at Deep Portage. Peak colors are here, and we've had a string of those sunny days and crisp nights that make this time of year so wonderful. Rockford Middle School was with us this past week, as well as Royalton and Lake of the Woods. Join us on October 9th for the final tree-top tower hike of the season (1-888-280-9908 for more info). See you on the trails!

Rockford students canoeing Bass Pond

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet...one of many migrant birds passing through this fall

School Year 2010-11 Begins!

The new school year is underway, and the fall colors are already peaking through. Cool, wet weather has been the norm so far this September, but we've had our share of beautiful days as well. The World Learners School (Chaska) is our first school group this season, and the visit has been a great one thus far. Pictured above is this year's Deep Portage teaching staff. We have 3 returning instructors and 5 brand new recruits, all eager to get going. See you on the trails!

Summer Camp at Deep Portage

The summer season is in full swing! The second week of Forkhorn camps is underway, with 34 young hunters working towards their firearms safety certification. The big storms that went through Minnesota last week left us relatively untouched, and the weather this week has been quite nice. Our 2010 summer staff are doing a great job managing the kids' busy schedule, which includes rifle range, climbing wall, orienteering, archery, canoeing, fishing, and camp out, to name just a few. Below are a few photos of last weeks successful Forkhorn I graduates....way to go guys!

Spring at Deep Portage Learning Center

We've had a bit of welcome rain to ease the drought-like conditions of the past months, and the trees and flowers are responding. Visiting schools over the last few weeks have included Twin River Valley High School (Bode, IA), Lincoln Elementary (Little Falls), Dr. S.G. Knight Elementary (Randall), Cromwell-Wright Elementary (Cromwell), the Cass Lake Ecology Club, and Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School. Below are photos from a few of those visits. See you on the trails!

the Cass Lake Ecology Club enjoys the DP Teepee

DPLC teachers Caitlin and Charlotte learn their mammal skulls

Twin River Valley H.S. students at the MDNR Walleye Traps near Woman Lake

Early Spring at Deep Portage

The warm, dry spring weather has continued into mid-April here at Deep Portage. Although we could use the rain, the fair weather has been great for visiting groups. By Easter Monday we had replaced skiing and snowshoeing with archery and canoeing.....that's early to be paddling around on the pond! We've had some great groups in the past few weeks, including Challenger Elementary (Thief River Falls), Central Minnesota Christian (Prinsburg), Baxter Elementary (Baxter), and Cuyuna Range (Crosby-Ironton). We're looking forward to some late-April showers to help with the May flowers, and hoping to see you out on the trails. Happy Spring!

Cuyuna students enjoying the Tree-Top Tower

The DP teaching staff out for a day of birding

Hunting for macro-invertebrates on Bass Pond

Bird-banding with Cuyuna (can you see the junco?)

Late-Winter Warmth at Deep Portage

Is this really March? Only one day that hasn't hit 40 this month? No temps below freezing since March 8th? Wow. We've welcomed the warmth, at the expense of our ski and snowshoe trails, and are thinking of revising our predicted ice-off date for Bass Pond. Robbinsdale and Plymouth Middle Schools have been with us for the past few weeks, with the first two groups skiing and the last few groups doing archery instead. Orienteering, Animal Signs, Climbing Wall, Pioneer Olympics, and Survival class can go out no matter what the conditions, and everyone has enjoyed being outside in the unusually mild weather. Below are photos from the past week or two at Deep Portage. See you on the trails!

Challenging "the Overhang" at the DP Climbing Wall

Enthusiastic Orienteering Experts

No Snow! A view from the DP Tower

The Last Ice-Angler of the Season - It's getting Slushy!

February at Deep Portage

The days are getting longer, and the cold has relented (for now). We've had just enough snow to keep the ski trails refreshed and in great condition, and enough sunny days to make for great outdoor fun. Winter Rendezvous was a great success on January 30th, with well over 100 in attendance, and it was only -15 at the start! Wonderful groups from across the state have been coming to visit, including long time Deep Portage supporters Princeton Middle School, Mounds Park Academy, Burrough's Elementary, and Menahga. Below are some pics from recent group visits. See you on the trails!

Mounds Park Academy enjoys skiing with Joanna

Kick and glide down the Great Hall Trail

Northland Schools Mentor Program ice fishing on Bass Pond

A New Year at Deep Portage

January started with a cold front, but the 13 inches of snow that fell over Christmas helped insulate us from the deep freeze. The first group of 2010 was the World Learner's School from Chaska. They've spent the week keeping warm by XC-skiing and snowshoeing, among other fun activities. Also joining us this week was the University of Minnesota Pharmaceutical Care Conference. Don't forget that the 29th annual Deep Portage Winter Rendezvous is on January 30. Call 1-888-280-9908 for details. Below are photos from the past week at Deep Portage. See you on the trails!

Joanna and Jessica stay warm while leading Charlie to Base

Skiers from the World Learner's head down the Great Hall Trail

Negotiating a turn on the ski trails

The U of M pharmacists group relax by the fire in the Great Hall