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March 19 2024

Entry Point 54 - Seagull Lake

Seagull Lake entry point allows overnight paddle or motor (10 HP (except where paddle only) max). This entry point is supported by Gunflint Ranger Station near the city of Grand Marais, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 50 miles. No motors (use or possession) west of Three Mile Island. Large lake with several campsites. landing at Seagull Lake. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 8
Elevation: 1205 feet
Latitude: 48.1469
Longitude: -90.8693
Seagull Lake - 54

seagull solo to ogish.

by bwcasolo
Trip Report

Entry Date: May 23, 2013
Entry Point: Seagull Lake
Number of Days: 8
Group Size: 1

Trip Introduction:
after repeated permit changes, due to late ice out, the trip was set and off i went.

Day 1 of 8


Thursday, May 23, 2013 i arrived at seagull a few days early to paddle the area and just relax. i had the bunkhouse all to myself. in the evening i sat on the upper deck with beer in hand enjoying the quiet of the land that gives me such pleasure and happiness. after the day's previous paddle on seagull, i took the tow to south tip of three mile island, just for the heck of it and i was on my way. as i was dropped off i came to full realization of just how far across seagull lake was to the alpine portage. lucky for me, it was a calm day. i proceeded to paddle the south end, taking my sweet time, enjoying the expanse of water. the burned area, exposing the large rock hillsides and shorelines have a unique beauty to it. i paddled every bay and nook and cranny, and landed on the west side of seagull, taking the point site for the night. even though it was early, it was such a nice site. i was ready to set up the tent and do more seagull lake exploring. the moon was due to be full that evening and it would be an ideal viewing site.

 



Day 2 of 8


Friday, May 24, 2013 after a stellar evening of the full moon and fire, i was off to alpine. another beautiful day was in store, and as it would work out, would be the theme for the week. as i approached the portage to jasper, the roar of the falls led my way. water levels were high, and it was obvious that i would need to portage below the actual take out do to swift current and water level. i had to bushwhack a bit to get to the trail but it was no problem. the power of the falls sounded like a freight engine, breaking the silence of the day. across jasper i went, stopping at the last site for a look. i had read it was a decent site, high up with a great view. i stopped , and confirmed it was all of that, but my goal was ogish for that day. i moved on making it to ogish, taking the second site on the right, on the north side. another beautiful site, canoe landing, fire pit, and superb sitting rock point. camp was up and i would be here for 2-3 nights.

 



Day 3 of 8


Saturday, May 25, 2013 when i arrive to a lake like ogish, i split it up, and explore half at a time. my day is seldom hurried, as i live by , "why the rush" attitude these days, i smell plenty of roses along the way. it was a treat to take my time with coffee, read my book, hang in the hammock, and just enjoy the quiet and the warm weather the north woods was sharing with me. i paddled the shoreline, picking up a bass here and there, enjoying the day completely, life was good!

 



Day 4 of 8


Sunday, May 26, 2013 during the night, the wind was out of the southwest and i heard the roar of waterfalls. since the plan for the next day was to explore the other half of ogish, i fell back asleep with anticipation. coffee was awesome with oatmeal, ghee and nuts, and with fishing pole packed, i was off. there were a few sites taken here and there, but for the most part i had the area to myself. as i went thru the narrows of mid lake, i followed the roar of moving water and came to a bay where a stream from above poured into ogish. when i saw that i was so moved, for i knew it was a honey hole. i was so excited. within a few casts i had my first trout, then another, and another. three trout in a few casts. i spent 2-3 hours there, enjoying the area to myself. all the fish were released, and it was time for me to move on. exploring the southwest part of ogish, i stopped and had a snack. i headed back to camp for another lovely evening of stargazing, peace and quiet. another stellar day, and more to come. tomorrow i move to alpine.

 



Day 5 of 8


Monday, May 27, 2013 after breakfast, i packed up and headed back to jasper. another bluebird day was in store for me. the weather was ideal, warm days, cool nights, no bugs, no people. unreal. the way back was quicker, as it always is when you are traveling familiar ground, but i did not rush. back to the falls from jasper to alpine. the power of that falls, with that much water was incredible. since i am a early riser, i always come upon camps where people are still sleeping. such a great time of day not to be up enjoying it. to each their own. i paddled north of the alpine to seagull portage and find a sweet site in the narrows. i land and set up camp. i took the fishing gear and with the perfect south wind, i drifted gulp minnows and started catching walleyes. a few bass, and i was having the time of my life. i spent the day seeing the sites on alpine, having a great meal, and off to sleep i went.

 



Day 6 of 8


Tuesday, May 28, 2013 after another starry nite, i packed up and saw more of alpine before i moved back to the mighty seagull lake. i portaged across and headed to the north part of the lake. after quite some time, as now i am into slow gear, with no plan in the works, perfect weather, and hardly a breeze, i decided to find a site and set up for an evening. on the nw corner of seagull was just the site. great views, level pads, and solitude. where was everyone? i did not care, off in the distant i watched canoes fish for trout during the day and head back to their base camp for the evening. another great evening, food, stars, perfect weather.

 



Day 7 of 8


Wednesday, May 29, 2013 time to move. i wanted to stay at another site on north seagull. i had not seen it yet, but there were other options. as i picked a site on the map i proceeded to find my way thru the narrows, past the palisades, and arriving in a sweet little bay. on the north side of the bay was a high rounded rock with a stack of firewood. the rock was elevated with a great view to the south, seagull's expanse barely visible. this would be my last home for this trip. camp was set, lunch was served, and i spent the rest of the day catching smallies, as the weather warmed the bass became active, and i had a hoot of a time. i paddled until dark, had a small fire, watched the night sky come alive, and off to the tent i went. during the night the pat, pat of rain drops hit the tent. the first of the week. back to sleep i went. the morning had the freshness of spring after a shower. it was cloudy, but no rain. i packed up, headed north to make my way back to seagull outfitters. i took my time. it was so peaceful. rounding the bend i saw the bay leading to seagull outfitters. the rain began to lightly fall, not enough for a jacket, but to just end a week of perfect, dry weather. what was to come was rain, non stop for many days. some trips you luck out. this one i sure did.

 



Day 8 of 8


Thursday, May 30, 2013 it rained all the way home, 7 hours back to ne iowa. it was a great trip. the solo titanium mug i got worked great to heat water for coffee and my dried meals. my exped solo tent had a small leak, exped replaced it, no questions asked. the prism i bought from sawbill a few years back has had a seat replaced and moved back center, with a new homemade yoke system. deb and the crew were great, good folks there at seagull outfitters. i stopped and said hey to mike at rockwood. it was good to see him and lynn. this will probably be my last spring trip, as i am looking forward to soloing in the fall again. next year, back to where it all began, moose lake and knife, can't wait.

 


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