Snipe Lake

Could of stayed here for a while but we had to move on. We were actually on the water by 9AM. The Owl Lake portage was no problem except up hill, and the portage into Tuscarora also uphill. First canoe we see has an older gentleman paddling two older boys while they were fishing. Tuscarora had a southeast wind in our face but we managed. Very busy lake.

Howl Swamp Portage! This is where the memories begin. It starts on a sandy beach. The Warden led the way as I took the canoe and Army pack behind. Once we hit the top of the first hill and started going down, the Warden who I cannot see ahead me starts screaming. At first thought, a bear? Moose? I had stepped around a few snakes, toads and turtles and didn’t show the Warden any, especially the snakes. She hates snakes. She must have found a snake. She is trying to run back towards me with a paddle pointed in the opposite direction fending off whatever was attacking. I couldn’t see anything so I did not put the canoe down until she calmed down. As she was panting she said a bird was attacking her. I walk down the trail to find a momma grouse puffed up protecting its young. I can hear the chicks in the brush. She gets to boot kicking distance and she gives me the broken wing trick and runs away. I am laughing as I am explaining what is going on to the Warden.

We get to what is suppose to be the boardwalk but some beavers have used the boards as a dam. Good time to set the canoe down and get the second pack and fishing poles. We paddle to the opposite side and finish the portage into Hubbub Lake. Then find the portage into Copper Lake. Copper is a pretty lake with a couple of streams running into it. I wish we had time to explore. The trail to Snipe is another goat path. Pretty trail but mean, with log steps straight up. I am probably just getting tired. It seemed like a tough day of portaging.

We made it to Snipe Lake just in time. One canoe was headed in from Cross Bay. It was a race to campsites. They headed south and we went to the North Point over looking the 70’ hole and Missing Link portage. We were set up by 3:00 PM. I had bought an Eureka Tetragon 5 tent from Cabelas for $50. It is 6 pounds and 5’x7’. It is not fancy but serves the purpose until I think I need something better. As we were kicking back and relaxing three canoes came up and one started asking how big was our site, when were we leaving, if there are any other sites open, like I knew any more than they did. I fished the 70’ hole for a while and caught nothing. Another canoe with two guys came through going into Missing Link. We ate Alfredo noodles and cheese quesadillas using the Primus Techno Trail 3270 stove. I sure like the stove. It does not seem to use much fuel, adjustable flame, and boils water quicker than I can keep up. Folded up it fits inside my roll of duck tape. I took a little swim around the rock island and in the tent by 8:00 PM. A little buggy outside and it started to sprinkle.