Saganaga-Mack-Kawnipi-Falls Chain and Deep Thoughts
by pcallies
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
06/20/2023
Entry & Exit Point:
Quetico
Number of Days:
8
Group Size:
2
Discuss Trip:
View Discussion Thread (12 messages)
Day 3 of 8
Thursday, June 22, 2023
* Up at 6:15. While we could really use a rest day, we decided to move to Kawnipi today because the forecast calls for rain and thunderstorms the next few days. Will be nice to be situated instead of traveling during the rain.
* On the water at 8:25, arrived at preferred campsite on Kawnipi just south of Kara Bay about 4:30. Eight long hours of travel. This was always going to be a long day, but the southwest wind in our faces on Kawa Bay was mentally and physically taxing.
* There were two small beaver dam pullovers on Mack Creek. Otherwise, it was just a small, winding creek typical of canoe country. The two portages were straightforward.
* The Wawiag was wider than I expected and its width was remarkably consistent. Just a few wider places and no narrower places. The one portage couldn’t have been longer than 20 rods, not the 57 rods PP had shown.
* Although we saw a cute family of ducklings, there was less bird life than we expected. We thought there would be more ducks. We also saw no turtles on logs. The scenery got redundant and it was actually a little spooky. The banks of the river were pretty steep, slippery, muddy silt, definitely different in this part of the world.
* Despite the general lack of wildlife, my wife spotted a moose! This was the first moose she has ever seen in the wild which is remarkable given that she grew up camping and fishing in northern Minnesota. It was relatively small, perhaps a yearling. When spotted, it was submerged up to its back, feeding on vegetation from the water. I’m sure the water was helping to keep it cool in the hot weather. As we approached, it casually climbed out of the water and walked up the bank into the forest. Throughout the day, we saw many moose tracks deeply imprinted along the banks of the river.
* I dug lunch out of the food pack and we ate lunch as we floated. There is no current in the river so we actually had to paddle in order to avoid losing ground to the swirling wind. Lunch wasn’t as relaxing as we’d hoped.
* We started fishing after arriving in Kawa Bay. The wind made it a little difficult, but my wife caught two eater walleyes. I ended the day still walleye-less for the trip.
* Set up camp, relaxed briefly, made dinner, finished getting the tarp up enough to protect gear should it rain.
* Had our second discussion of the trip regarding whether this is fun.
* Saw a canoe of two come around the corner of the big island south of our campsite. I had just walked out to the big rock. When they saw me they stopped to reassess their options. I’m sure they were hoping for this site.
* Up at 6:15. While we could really use a rest day, we decided to move to Kawnipi today because the forecast calls for rain and thunderstorms the next few days. Will be nice to be situated instead of traveling during the rain.
* On the water at 8:25, arrived at preferred campsite on Kawnipi just south of Kara Bay about 4:30. Eight long hours of travel. This was always going to be a long day, but the southwest wind in our faces on Kawa Bay was mentally and physically taxing.
* There were two small beaver dam pullovers on Mack Creek. Otherwise, it was just a small, winding creek typical of canoe country. The two portages were straightforward.
* The Wawiag was wider than I expected and its width was remarkably consistent. Just a few wider places and no narrower places. The one portage couldn’t have been longer than 20 rods, not the 57 rods PP had shown.
* Although we saw a cute family of ducklings, there was less bird life than we expected. We thought there would be more ducks. We also saw no turtles on logs. The scenery got redundant and it was actually a little spooky. The banks of the river were pretty steep, slippery, muddy silt, definitely different in this part of the world.
* Despite the general lack of wildlife, my wife spotted a moose! This was the first moose she has ever seen in the wild which is remarkable given that she grew up camping and fishing in northern Minnesota. It was relatively small, perhaps a yearling. When spotted, it was submerged up to its back, feeding on vegetation from the water. I’m sure the water was helping to keep it cool in the hot weather. As we approached, it casually climbed out of the water and walked up the bank into the forest. Throughout the day, we saw many moose tracks deeply imprinted along the banks of the river.
* I dug lunch out of the food pack and we ate lunch as we floated. There is no current in the river so we actually had to paddle in order to avoid losing ground to the swirling wind. Lunch wasn’t as relaxing as we’d hoped.
* We started fishing after arriving in Kawa Bay. The wind made it a little difficult, but my wife caught two eater walleyes. I ended the day still walleye-less for the trip.
* Set up camp, relaxed briefly, made dinner, finished getting the tarp up enough to protect gear should it rain.
* Had our second discussion of the trip regarding whether this is fun.
* Saw a canoe of two come around the corner of the big island south of our campsite. I had just walked out to the big rock. When they saw me they stopped to reassess their options. I’m sure they were hoping for this site.
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