Monday, September 26, 2011

While we may have forgotten the steaks? One meal that didn't get neglected on this trip was breakfast. Vickie had brought one of those plastic cartons full of eggs. Those coupled with plenty of bacon, breakfast sausage, & potatoes ensured that we ate like royalty each morning.

Today we wanted to do some hiking. Yesterdays adventure had taken quite a bit out of Aurora. We didn't want to over do it again today. So a choice needed to be made. Hike the Big Moose lake hiking trail, or the portage trail to Duck lake. Since the hiking trail was accessible by vehicle we choose the portage to Duck, reasoning that it would be easier to revisit the hiking trail at a later date without having to paddle in.

Aurora was sleeping after breakfast and we waited for her to wake up before heading out. I tried casting a small rapala from shore to pass the time. This tactic proved no more effective than the leeches were a few nights earlier. Of course our resident mink was quite active and I spent more time watching him.

Once again it was a great day for a paddle. We trolled on our way to the Duck lake portage. Vickie hooked into a decent bass that put up the classic fight smallmouths are famous for. She got it up to the boat a couple times but since we hadn't brought the net it eventually spit the hook. We got a good look, it was a 2 plus pound fish that we would've let go anyways. Though, Vickie lamented that she would've liked to have gotten a photo. Especially since it was as close as we came to catching a fish on this trip.

The landing for the Duck lake portage was quite a contrast to what we'd been accustomed to seeing around the perimeter of this lake. A beautiful sandy beach stretched out along the shoreline. There were fresh moose tracks on the beach & out in the water. Also, a beaver had evidently been here as well, & had partially chewed through a nice sized birch tree.

Wisely Vickie had brought extra water along today. She stashed the extra water bottles in the woods near the canoe before we left. That way we would have water upon our return.

This path in no way resembled the Cummings trail. There was an immediate gradual incline. But the trail, throughout much of it's length, was riddled with roots & rocks. On the bright side, the fresh spruce boughs and brush cuttings indicated that a portage crew had just been through. We deduced that was who we seen on our first night on Big Moose.

There was a nice mix of trees along the way, but pines were the dominant species. The trail had several short rocky ups & downs. Moose & wolf tracks could clearly be seen at the muddy spots. At about the half way point we crossed Duck creek. The creek was bone dry and we essentially had to hopscotch from boulder to boulder to get to the other side. Fortunately it was only about 12 -15 feet across and the boulders were stable. There was a little pond just downstream from the crossing, that provided a scenic contrast from the forested wilderness we had just passed through.

Once past the creek the trail reverted back to much the same as previous. Then, about 70 rods before Duck lake, the trail dropped down steeeply to a mucky bog. Vickie insisted we press on to the lake, so forward we went. The trail was wet and mushy but, could have been alot worse if not for the recent dryness & lack of rain. The closer we got to the lake the more you could tell we were walking on floating ground. Finally we were at the shores (if you want to call it that?) of Duck lake! I think we did bogwalker proud?

There were a few small rock knobs across the way, but Duck was mostly a weedy, swampy lake. By the lakeshore it felt as if we were standing on only a few inches of roots & grass. It was interesting to see & experience a whole different ecosystem.

It seemed like 3 times the work trying to walk across the bog. We climbed the hill at the far end before stopping for a break. It was good to be on terra firma again! Vickie complained that was tough on her calves. I had to agree. Having now walked this trail in it's entirety; I say with confidence that while this portage is incredibly scenic, it is absolutely involved in the discussion of what qualifies as the toughest portage in the BWCAW. We were glad to only be hiking it.

We stopped near Duck creek on the way back so Vickie could feed & change Aurora. While I explored the upstream side of the creek.

On the way back we passed by a few grouse without them flying up unexpectedly and stopping our hearts. All in all this was a wonderfully scenic hike with varied terrain and ecosystems to negotiate & contemplate. About as nice of a hike as one could hope for. But, once again I believe as a portage, this would make most anyones list of toughest maintained trails in the BWCAW.

Back on Big Moose there was a canoe out fishing the point near where Vickie had hooked one earlier. Also someone had claimed the campsite nearest the portage and were still setting up as we passed by. We followed the contour of the lake back to camp.

Chicken fajitas for supper. Once Aurora is down for the night we sit out and enjoy our last fire. By this point in the trip we have figured out where & when the night sky will light up. A beaver occassionally shatters the silence with a not too distant tail slap on the water. Although a welcome surprise greets us tonight as we are watching the northern sky; being treated to a brilliant display of aurora borealis. Vickie & I share a warm embrace as we marvel at our daughters' namesake displaying it's grandeur. Unfortunately our crude photography skills don't allow us to capture an image that will do them justice. But it's a very special, if all too brief, final evening to our family trip.
Big Moose Lake, Duck Lake