4 of nine must head home today, fairly early; after breakfast, they break camp... then 2 adults and 2 kids load into canoe and head back to Sawbill. After some discussion, we determine that the rest of us need to head home today, a day early; plans in the outside world dictate. We break camp. Packing to leave is always so much easier than packing to go; “just put it in any bag, and we’ll sort it out when we get home.” After checking the campsite for cleanliness, we head towards Baker Lake. Portage from Burnt>Kelly is 230 yards. It's a doozie. I devise a plan to carry my canoe on my own though; I hang my son’s day pack from the bow so the that bow & stern are balanced; it makes all the difference, and I portage the canoe (in 2 shifts) myself. The trail is hilly and muddy… but clear.

Kelly makes a great impression on me; it is pretty, and I think I prefer this size of lake. No other party is in site; paddling thru is great.

We line our canoes thru the Kelly>Peterson rapids… and we line our canoes thru the Peterson>Baker rapids.

I’m thinking… I wouldn’t mind coming back just to camp on Peterson or Kelly.

The van is waiting for us at the Baker Lake entry; we throw it all in… then head for home. ***Breakfast was Bacon Smash. ***Supper was Perkins, in Duluth.