I happened upon a place in the BWCA that seemed odd. We thought we were at a designated campsite, but couldn't find the way to get to it. There was a steep rocky hill to climb up to an area overlooking the lake. I thought that once I found the actual site I could find the way to access it the right way.

I climbed up and there was a large flat area with a ring of trees all around the edge. There was an obvious fire pit area with a ledge of rocks around the back of it, but no fire grate. It had a smaller flat area near the fire pit with a ring of stones that stepped down to a larger flat area. The weirdest thing was that there was grass covering both areas that almost looked like a lawn. It was relatively early in the season, so maybe it just hadn't grown much, but still it had the feel of an area that had only recently been abandoned after use by a lot of people.

I walked to the edge and noticed bear bags across a small inlet and realized the actual site was next to this area and it was occupied. We went on to another campsite on the lake, but it kind of creeped me out for some reason. I can imagine that it was once an active, defensible camp area that could be used to watch for the approach of others. I don't know that I want to reveal the exact location, but I guess others have come across these types of areas and felt the presence of the "ghosts" of those who have gone before.

what lake?

I don't know why, but it feels like a place best not identified widely. It may have special meaning to people in the area or be an archeological draw. Sometimes finding these places are more special if they are found by chance.

Might be winter campers. I would imagine when there is enough snowfall, it must be hard to find the actual fire grates, and maybe sometimes they just camp where they think camp is.

I have pitched tents, a few hundred yards from the fire grate.

Stumpy: "I have pitched tents, a few hundred yards from the fire grate."

Me too. I love those sites with remote tent pads. (Especially good for couples trekking with a group. ;) )

I don't understand the secrecy regarding divulging the location. That said, Flour Lake has a similar thing going on. No campsite on the lake, but a large flat area, grass, and no fire grate. Likely a former logging camp area.

Mike

MikeinMpls: "I don't understand the secrecy regarding divulging the location. That said, Flour Lake has a similar thing going on. No campsite on the lake, but a large flat area, grass, and no fire grate. Likely a former logging camp area.

Mike"

Its best not to devulge the location unless you want it to become a heavily used campsite. I have seen it with other things, fishing spots, bike trails. Once word gets out online, it's not a secret anymore. I realize its kind of selfish, but let people work for it. Don't need to make it easy.

It isn't a real campsite. It looked more like a historical campsite. I will say it was reached from a Mudro entry point, and the entire hill was made up of baseball sized rocks and very few trees or bushes. Looking back on it the whole thing seemed unnatural. Like it was constructed to be a defensive position.
I'm not sure how First Nation's people feel about people broadcasting areas that were special to them. That's the main reason I don't feel comfortable making it a widely known place. A lot of traffic could destroy the secluded feel.