Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Moose River North to Lac La Croix
by billsta

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 06/12/2011
Entry & Exit Point: Moose/Portage River (north) (EP 16)
Number of Days: 7
Group Size: 3
Trip Introduction:
We were supposed to be a foursome, but 6 days before our trip our fourth person canceled. My daughter, her husband and their Jack Russell Terrier traveled in one canoe, while I paddled solo...turning a 16 foot tandem around and paddling from the front seat.
Day 1 of 7
Sunday, June 12, 2011 Our fourth person canceled 6 days before, so we are traveling as a threesome (tandem and solo – actually our solo is a 16 ft tandem turned around and paddled from the front seat): My daughter Jamie, her husband Caleb, myself, and their Jack Russell Terrier. After spending the night at VNO’s bunk house, we are up early, complete the first 160 rod portage from the parking lot, and are paddling the Moose River by 7AM. We cross 5 beaver dams, 3 which require pull-overs, but none are a problem. We are meeting quite a few groups that are headed out, as well as a few headed in just behind us. Almost everyone headed in is targeting Agnes Lake. Our intent is to make Boulder Bay via the 115 rod portage from Agnes. Our last trip to this area we took the 24 and 65 rod portages and this time we decide to do something different. We find that we’re traveling a bit slower…I’m thinking it’s the solo canoe, coupled with a bit of wind. Penny, is doing great until our final portage…when she just stops walking and won’t go any further. I carry her across the 115 rod portage. By the time we get to Boulder Bay, it’s after 3PM. We are hoping to get the first site out of the Boulder River…the site furthest east in Boulder Bay. Reviews I’ve seen all say this is a 5 star site (we are in luck, because it’s open) and after looking around the site, we are in agreement. We set up camp and shortly after we’re settled, we break out the steaks and make dinner. After dinner, we fished a bit from shore and caught a few small walleyes and pike. An enormous turtle (probably 24” diameter shell) swims near shore and entertains us for a while. We sat around the campfire and watched the sun go down, then crawled into our tents at about 11 PM. Highlights: Great campsite, nice dinner, campfire under the stars. Lowlights: None