Little Saganaga Lake, Rattle Lake, Gabimichigami Lake, Agamok Lake, Mueller Lake, Ogishkemuncie Lake

While the sunshine was out in force the wind still did not want to die down. It did, however, change direction. We were looking forward to having the wind at our backs but it was not to be. We woke early with the idea that we would take our time and get up into Gabimichigami Lake. We crossed Little Sag Lake with no problems; enjoying the views around the islands and the general pleasantness of the lake. During the night before and this day we only saw one other canoe. I think the portage into Tuscacora keeps people away; not that I am complaining about that.

We took our time paddling around the islands on our way to the Rattle lake portage with the idea that would stay on Gabi. It was all going to plan until we hit the big Gabi waters. The wind was whipping, making one to two-foot waves. Sick of staying on sites that were wind-whipped we decided to brave the big water and we crossed the center of Gabi. Some people would have just tossed in and called it a wind-locked day but we had been in much worse before and we went for it. We kept the canoe at a 45 to the waves and just concentrated on a “slow and steady” pace, letting the wind keep the stern inline. At no point did I feel scared and the canoe (a Wenonah Escape Kevlar) managed the waves better than I could have hoped. Gopher, in his kayak, fared a bit worse (taking a bit of water between his sea-skirt) than Matt and I.

With the crossing of Gabi done we hit into Agamok Lake. The wind was once again in our face but since the heat of the day was close to (if not past) 80 degrees it was a welcome respite. However, once we got onto the portage for Mueller Lake the heat was oppressive as the humidity under the trees was creating a steamy enviroment. Portaging in that kind of heat sucks, as anyone who has done it can tell you. Our lucky break was that I realized we were near the Agamok Bridge (a location I had read about here on the BWCA.com message boards) so we decided to take the Kekekebek Trail and give a look.

What a perfect place to take a swim! The Agamok Bridge crosses a small waterfall in a narrow gulch. The water at the base of the waterfall is at least 20+ feet deep and a perfect pool. Steep cliffs on both sides provided me (an adrenalin junkie) with a bit of a jumping opportunity so I took the plunge that way. We spent an hour or more just cooling down. If you ever get this way on your own trip, and you need a quick dip, I highly suggest swimming at Agamok Bridge.

After completing the portage into Mueller Lake we continued on until we hit Ogishkemuncie Lake. I must take a moment to explain the portage from Mueller Lake into Ogish. Of all the portages I have ever been on, this is by far the most awesome. It follows a ridge and on the left side, down a narrow gulch, is the stream connecting the two lakes. I could have spent a day just exploring this portage and all of the photo opportunities that it had. It was pretty enough that, after we finished the portage, we took another swim. I want to visit this place again in the future.

Our day done, we hit a campsite on Ogish (a site in the group of islands on the South side of the lake), set up camp, had dinner, more booze, more cigars and watched the stars. This was one of the most perfect days I have ever had in the BW.