Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Long Weekend at Kelly
by shoreviewswede

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 08/19/2010
Entry & Exit Point: Baker Lake (EP 39)
Number of Days: 4
Group Size: 4
Trip Introduction:
Destination: EP 39 Baker Lake Goal: Base camp, relax with our sons.
Day 1 of 4
Thursday, August 19, 2010

Left Shoreview early in the morning, headed towards EP 39- Baker Lake. In the van are me (David) and my son Isaiah, my friend Scott and his son Skip. Atop the minivan are 2 canoes… my not-made-for-the-dbud 16’ Mad River Adventure and Scott’s 17’ Lund aluminum. As always, the canoes rest upon two 6’ barbells; why buy expensive bars when you can securely affix inexpensive, strong bars?

Before noon we were at Sawbill Outfitters… to pick up our permit and browse thru the store.

At early afternoon we are at the Baker Lake entry point. Our intentions are to get to Kelly (not far away) and set up camp. Scott and I were here 2 months earlier, exiting; at that time we thought this was a pretty area that we wouldn’t mind loitering at for a weekend; now we are set to do that.

The Baker Lake entry point is super easy to put in/out; access is right on the lake… and it is very scenic; I like it. At the 1st portage, to Peterson, the difference in water level between June and August becomes apparent; we portage sooner and longer, over unruly rocks… though these portages are still short. We pass people moving in the opposite direction; we pass pleasantries; they are from Shoreview too.

After Peterson comes Kelly… and on Kelly we find an open campsite, but then tool around a bit to compare it to other campsites; 1 other campsite is not as nice and the others are taken; we go back to the 1st campsite… which is on the peninsula opposite the portage to Burnt.

Weather is great… campfire is nice… and we sleep fine.