BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
January 05 2025
Entry Point 38 - Sawbill Lake
Number of Permits per Day: 11
Elevation: 1802 feet
Latitude: 47.8699
Longitude: -90.8858
Sawbill Lake - 38
A Solo Snowshoe Trip From Sawbill
Entry Date:
March 01, 2009
Entry Point:
Sawbill Lake
Exit Point:
Sawbill Lake (38)
Number of Days:
2
Group Size:
1
Today the plan is to move on to Alice lake. Although, the exceedingly cool weather keeps me lingering in my sleeping bag well into the daylight hours. At this point I must admit, the several concurrent cold mornings have taken a toll on my psyche. Begrudgingly, I eventually crawl out to face the day. There is an occasional light mist in the air that further deepens my dark mood. While eating breakfast, I seriously contemplate just staying put for the day but, afterwards, I slowly begin to start tearing down camp. As I am trudging my packs down to the shoreline a welcome intrusion awaits me. My bwca.com sticker has drawn the attention of a couple of paddlers out on the lake. A warm welcome from fellow bwca.com'er ghamer (and friend) really help to lift my spirits and we have an extended conversation comparing notes on each others trips. For those who may be a little fuzzy as to who ghamer is? He frequently provides stunning photo trip reports on bwca.com and often has photos published in BWJ. We joke that if a person were to draw an 'X' in the middle of the BWCA that we are currently standing where that mark would likely be drawn. Also, I warn them of the widow maker on the north portage out of the lake. This friendly visit is just what I need to muster the motivation to get going today. 
What with all the cool weather and sporadic rain I optimistically tell myself that a moose sighting is much more likely. Unfortunately that doesn't prove to be the case today as I make quick work of familiar waters and portages before stopping at a Beaver lake campsite for a short rest stop. Its still gray & gloomy but, it appears the light rain has stopped for the day. The portage into Trapline is level but, strangely a little overgrown. My Voyageur map shows a portage after Trapline gives away to river paddling but, I find no need for it and easily paddle through flatwater only bumping a couple of submerged boulders. As I enter the River lake portion of the Kawishiwi river paddling becomes somewhat monotonous but, the scenery is outstanding keeps me wanting to push forward.
Needing a break, I pull off just prior to reaching the 18 rod portage where there is a campsite on the west side of the river. In my opinion this site would only qualify for emergency use if planning on camping here but, it serves me well as a temporary stop. It's already been a long day and I find the 18 rod portage more of a headache than I anticipated. Muddy, lots of twists and turns and the downstream landing is fairly tight. I realize afterwards there is a better trail.
Not wanting to have to backtrack tomorrow; though I am weary I decide to paddle into Fishdance lake and checkout the pictographs. Jerry Vandivers haunting song silently occupies my mind as I paddle up to the sheer rock wall along the western shoreline of this scenic narrow lake. I briefly flirt with the idea of camping here but, my desire to get to Alice lake trumps those thoughts.
The climb at the beginning of the 92 rod portage makes me briefly RECONSIDER MY DECISION BUT, SOON ENough, I've found my portaging rhythm and the cacophony of rushing waters serve as the soundtrack to my wilderness workout. The 18 rod trail is another up and down with inconvenient landings but, I know this is my last portage of the day and eager anticipation is now overflowing. As the river unfolds into the expanse that is Alice lake, I can't help but notice that the first campsite is open. I must admit it is invitingly enticing but, I've got my mind set on one of the beach sites towards the northern end of the lake. Of course it will be disappointing if it is occupied but, I resolve that it will be worth the extra paddling to find out.
A couple of the premium sites along the eastern seaboard are occupied as I paddle northwards. As I round the large NE peninsula I hold my breath......the beautiful sand beach slowly comes into view. As I scan the shoreline I see no sign of anyone as there are no drag marks or footprints discernible on the sugar sand beach. I can't believe my luck. For the 4th time on this trip my target site is available! And, it looks like I'm the first to use this site this year.
This site has it all! Obviously the landing is top notch. The firegrate is well positioned and offers good stone settings for kitchen items and there's even a small stash of welcome wood in the small cubby by the firegrate. The mature cedar trees provide ample shelter, shade and give the camp an almost magical aura. (No need for a tarp). There are several nice, flat tent pads and well worn trails run in every direction. Including out to the point of the peninsula where shore fishing can be productive. The chink in the armor would be revealed as I headed to the latrine. The latrine itself was fine but, just behind it, piled up in a reasonably neat fashion; was a large amount of abandoned camp supplies including several tarps, rope, pots, pans and a huge table top stove! While disgusted at the mess, I had to tip my hat for the unreal effort it would've taken whomever to portage all this stuff back in here. There isn't much I can do about the mess so, I decide not to let it ruin my experience here; and I allow my sore body and weary mind to relax into the calming silence of the evening.
~Boulder Lake, Adams Lake, Beaver Lake, Trapline Lake, River Lake, Alice Lake