True hibernators’ body temps drop, their heart beat slows, and they don’t ‘wake up’ when prodded or exposed to loud noises. Black bears, chipmunks, snakes, frogs, toads and some turtles hibernate. Other mammals go into torpor, a state of deep, temporary sleep from which they wake to eat, drink, release waste.

Learn more about bear hibernation.

With an average temp of 42°, Lake Superior acts like a hot water bottle emanating a little warmth up the hillsides. This occurs November through April when daily highs air temps drop below 40°. The warmth sits in the bowl created by the hills. Once you pass the hilltop, temps can drop by 15°.

When very cold winter air meets the relatively warm lake water, fog is created. This fog hovers over the surface and is known as sea smoke. You will most often see sea smoke in January when it is really cold.

2020/2021 Season

Open Daily: Dec 11, 2020 – Apr 11, 2021

Extended Weekend: April 17-18 and 24-25, and May 1-2

*Holiday Dates: Dec 26-Jan 3; Jan 16-18 and Feb 13-15

We plan to have the warming house open every day (except for Holidays) from 1 – 6 p.m.  We have added benches outdoors, so you may skate at any time when the warming house is not open. Skate rentals will be $2 / pair / time and skate sharpening is $5. Skate rentals and skate sharpening can only be done when our warming house is open.

Historic Cook County Museum is now open

Hours: Monday: 1-4, Thursday: 1-4, Friday: 10 – 4, Saturday: 10-4

For more information contact the Museum at: 218.387.2883 or email: Katie@cookcountyhistory.org

Lake Superior freezes over completely once every 20 years, and averages about 50% ice cover. In March 2019, it froze over 91% [pictured here].

This is the 12th Annual Art Show sponsored by the Spirit of the Wilderness and the Cook County ISD 166 High School Art Class. The exhibit will feature a mix of mediums and artworks by Cook County community members.

The exhibit runs March 5 – March 28.
Gallery Hours: Thursdays 1 – 4 pm; Fridays & Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm and Sundays 10 am – 2 pm.

Face Masks, Social Distancing and Using of Provided Hand Sanitizer Mandatory. Gallery Capacity is only 12 people. We look forward to seeing you!

For more information about the exhibition including to see a gallery of photographs after the opening weekend please visit johnsonheritagepost.org.

New moon nights – night when the moon is absent from the sky – make for great stargazing.

Here’s a great way to start – look due north after the sun has set and find the Big Dipper constellation [see photo] with its telltale 3-star handle and 4-star dipper.

In the summer, the dipper is at ‘9-o’clock’ and hangs dipper down.
In the autumn, the dipper is at ‘6-o’clock’ with the dipper facing up/handle to the left.
In the winter, the dipper is at ‘3-o’clock’ with the handle hanging down.
In the spring, the dipper is at ’12-o’clock’ with the dipper facing down/handle to the right.

When temps warm in the spring, roads are salted to keep ice from forming. Like many of us, moose crave a little salt. Carefully drive paved roads – like the Gunflint Trail or Minnesota Highway 1 – at dusk [around 6:30 pm this time of year]. Keep an eye out and be prepared to stop. The same thing happens when temps first drop in mid-November into late December..

See more photos here

The Sun will shine directly on the equator and there will be nearly equal amounts of day and night throughout the world. This is also the first day of spring – vernal equinox.

Also known as the Sugar Moon

New moon nights – night when the moon is absent from the sky – make for great stargazing.

Here’s a great way to start – look due north after the sun has set and find the Big Dipper constellation [see photo] with its telltale 3-star handle and 4-star dipper.

In the summer, the dipper is at ‘9-o’clock’ and hangs dipper down.
In the autumn, the dipper is at ‘6-o’clock’ with the dipper facing up/handle to the left.
In the winter, the dipper is at ‘3-o’clock’ with the handle hanging down.
In the spring, the dipper is at ’12-o’clock’ with the dipper facing down/handle to the right.

2020/2021 Season

Extended Weekend: April 17-18 and 24-25, and May 1-2