September 20, Day 8: 1 mile, 1 portage, 190 r of portage trail. Lakes: Misquah and Little Trout. Longest portage was 190r. On the water at 9 and camped on Little Trout by noon (after looking at each of the 3 sites on Little Trout).

Matt and I rolled out of bed at about 6:30. Today is September 20th and my desire was to find a perfect camp on Little Trout to celebrate Matthew’s birthday. Our trip was on target, because we had picked Little Trout as “birthday camp”. This decision had been made with the thought of exiting the BWCA on the following day. Our birthday breakfast consisted of our great favorite SPAM and cheese omelet. The day was bright with no clouds and very little wind. We had one portage on the agenda and Beymer painted a grim portrait of that portage. Could that be the moose still calling out there?

We had just a short hop to the portage from our camp. Beymer advises that this trail is one of the toughest in this part of the BWCA. His description is probably correct. However portages, are all about what is on the plate for the day. This was our only portage, our bodies were rested, and the trail went well. The path is interesting and presented much diversity in the landscape. I think the Muskeg-Kiskadinna climb was steeper.

The trail, up to the first climb, was relatively flat and easy enough. We dropped our gear at the base of the hill, returned to the lake for our remaining packs, brought them up to our first drop, and unloaded. Ok, time for the climb. After the climb there is a short down hill run, then a flat board walk through the swamp, then another climb, and then (finally) downhill to Little Trout. Along the board walk there were plentiful signs of wolf track in the mud. On the breaks to Little Trout the trail enters an old burn on high ground and here there was a nice view of the lake below. I found the footing on the steep downhill section into Little Trout more difficult than the climb. I had to keep the bow pointed low to avoid hammering the stern into the rocks.

Pictures show 1) Portage to Little Trout Lake (after the first climb) and 2) board walk section

Before settling on a camp we explored the entire lake. We were alone. Little Trout is a pretty one. Only the section of the lake next to the 190 r portage was affected by the old burn.
Pictures show Little Trout Lake and the portage landing at Little Trout

The camp site next to the 190 r escaped the flames, and that is where we settled at about noon. The rest of the day was ours, it was a beauty, and very relaxing.

This fire ring at this camp was a sorry looking mess and in need of a little TLC. Matthew tended to that. I set up the tent, gathered wood, roamed the woods and just relaxed. Some time in mid-afternoon two guys came in from Vista to fish for trout. They stopped by and we exchanged stories of great adventure. They were staying at the mountain goat site on Vista, and showed us digital pictures of the site "before" and "after". Their work was admirable and they complemented Matthew on the cozy fire ring. The guys said that Little Trout was good for trout, but they left empty handed. We had the lake to ourselves. It was a good remote feeling.

We ate good this day, and we didn’t work too hard. For lunch Matthew cooked up Cache Lake Scones and we smothered those with stewed peaches. If that wasn’t enough, we then made fried SPAM and cheese sandwiches. Supper was Lasagna and chocolate cake (another easy bakepacker favorite).

When daylight started to fade, the fire was lit and the cognac broken out. Tonight there were no rations. It was our last night on the trail. We could feel the coming of fall on our backs. This was a fitting night to celebrate both the trip and Matthew’s birthday. The fire cut the chill and the firewater warmed my stomach. Life was good.

Pictures show Matthew repairing the fire pit at Little Trout camp and a Father/Son shot at Little Trout camp