Not sure what forum to place this in so I will put it in a few.

I got back from a quick 3-day solo into the BWCA through Morgan Lake EP45. While staying on Horseshoe Lake, I decided to take a day trip loop through Allen and down to Winchell and back to Horseshoe through Gaskin. I was at the Horseshoe end of the portage to Allen and saw some items laying just off the portage entry. Thinking, as always, it was someone double portaging, I moved on to Allen. No one was on the other side.

Being a short walk back, I went back looking down on the stream to see if anyone was down there or had slid down the narrow portions. Again... nope. Thinking someone would come back as some of the items are needed (life vests), I went back and went on my loop. I did not see anyone else on the entire loop.

Being curious, I headed back up to the portage (almost 5 hrs later) after I got back and there they were. I decided to pick up the items and head to Caribou and see if anyone was around to ask. I came across a group of 4 and was not their items and they stated they only saw a couple on a day trip earlier heading to Horseshoe.

I then went back to Horseshoe and packed up camp and headed to Vista for my last night to head out. I encountered the day trippers - not theirs. I checked with the family camping in the site next to me and saw one more group and nothing.

The day before, I saw a group who stated they had done the same loop (in reverse) and were heading out through Ram Lake. My thought was it could be theirs as all the canoes looked pretty full.

If anyone knows of someone who was in that area Oct 7 - 9 (items found on Sun 10/8) and is missing gear, reach out to me through this forum or via my email. I usually only find trash, shirts, shoes etc, and haul that out. This time it is different. I would really like to find the owners and arrange the return of this stuff.

I left information with the Forest Service also. Not sure if I did the right thing picking it up, but I knew I would at least try to find the owner. Hope I did not do the wrong thing here. I know I have left items on some trips and that is why I am trying to find owners.

Sorry for the long winded explanation. Just wanted to show I tried everything to find them.

I'd say after asking all parties that it could be close by and the time involved you did the right thing and hauled the items out.

fishinfool71, was the Forest Service willing to take your information? In July I stopped at the Ely office regarding a lost item and was told that the Forest Service does not, and will not, get involved in a lost and found situation in any way.

Was further told by one of their agents that doing so "initiates a seven-year paper trail" for them and that they can't afford the expense, time or effort to do so.