The Magic Trip _ A Short One
by IBFLY
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
09/27/2012
Entry Point:
Bower Trout Lake (EP 43)
Exit Point:
Ram Lake (EP 44)
Number of Days:
5
Group Size:
1
Discuss Trip:
View Discussion Thread (29 messages)
Day 4 of 5
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Day Four: (It being Sunday, I had more time than I needed) Lakes: Gaskin, Allen, Horseshoe, Vista, Jake, Lus, Carl, Morgan, Jake, Vista, Misquah
11 miles paddled
351 rods portaged
I took my time this morning knowing it would be an easy day, easy paddling and easy portages. I didn’t get on the water until 10. I had my breakfast of oatmeal, almonds, dried cherries and granola, tea and honey and briefly considered just staying on Gaskin and paddling out the next day. But the day was brilliant and I like to move, so I did. I took the north portages out of Gaskin to Allen and then over to Horseshoe because I wanted to curse the rock or root that maimed Mocha. None of them admitted to it so I just cursed the lot of them. Going into the south arm of Horseshoe would have been faster, but I like Horseshoe Lake and felt like paddling. I love winding my way down through Horseshoe- between the two peninsula sites and then through the reedy throat and curve of the lake as it moves to Vista. I took some time to explore the Brule River a bit, but the water was low and rocky and I walked my magic more than it carried me. As I approached the portage to Vista I heard voices and could see a group of 4 at the portage. Two couples having a snack and casting a line. I asked if there was room yet there and they said yes, so I made my way over. Nice people. We chatted a bit, saw an otter, shared information on each of our trips and then I was on my way. They told me the campsite on Misquah was open and they'd seen a moose and its calf there earlier that day.
It was still only noon and so I decided to explore a bit more before heading to Misquah. I paddled the east arm of Vista, left my pack in the woods at the portage and then looped my way through Jake, Lux, Carl, Morgan and Jake Lakes. They were all looking fine in the autumn gold of the tamaracks just as Mocha said they would be. Very pretty – and the portages in between were easy, only the one between Morgan and Jake had any bit of a challenge to it and that was only from the muck at the take out(lots of moose prints though). I added some downed logs to the take-out area in an effort of improvement. After crossing Jake and the portage into Vista, I reclaimed my pack and paddled back through and down Vista - very pretty in its southern half – and by 3:30 was on Misquah.
The portage was rocky but relatively easy and the view across Misquah was gorgeous though moose free –shimmering in yellows and light orange and bits of green. I was close and could well have paddled out – the exit at Ram Lake being only a few miles away - but I had food, drink, the weather was fine and promised to be dry so I decided to keep the night for myself. I’m happy I did. I let the day linger in me as I set up camp. I prepared my packet of soup, had a sip and promptly knocked it over. I made another and this time got all of it in me then sat by the fire as the night darkened and thought about what brought me here and how this place has saved me. I rely on it yet to keep me well.
The fire burned out and was doused. I spent some time looking at the stars and the silent water. I drank the last of my wine, tied off my ursack and took my time falling asleep, feeling too content to have a worry in the world.
Day Four: (It being Sunday, I had more time than I needed) Lakes: Gaskin, Allen, Horseshoe, Vista, Jake, Lus, Carl, Morgan, Jake, Vista, Misquah
11 miles paddled
351 rods portaged
I took my time this morning knowing it would be an easy day, easy paddling and easy portages. I didn’t get on the water until 10. I had my breakfast of oatmeal, almonds, dried cherries and granola, tea and honey and briefly considered just staying on Gaskin and paddling out the next day. But the day was brilliant and I like to move, so I did. I took the north portages out of Gaskin to Allen and then over to Horseshoe because I wanted to curse the rock or root that maimed Mocha. None of them admitted to it so I just cursed the lot of them. Going into the south arm of Horseshoe would have been faster, but I like Horseshoe Lake and felt like paddling. I love winding my way down through Horseshoe- between the two peninsula sites and then through the reedy throat and curve of the lake as it moves to Vista. I took some time to explore the Brule River a bit, but the water was low and rocky and I walked my magic more than it carried me. As I approached the portage to Vista I heard voices and could see a group of 4 at the portage. Two couples having a snack and casting a line. I asked if there was room yet there and they said yes, so I made my way over. Nice people. We chatted a bit, saw an otter, shared information on each of our trips and then I was on my way. They told me the campsite on Misquah was open and they'd seen a moose and its calf there earlier that day.
It was still only noon and so I decided to explore a bit more before heading to Misquah. I paddled the east arm of Vista, left my pack in the woods at the portage and then looped my way through Jake, Lux, Carl, Morgan and Jake Lakes. They were all looking fine in the autumn gold of the tamaracks just as Mocha said they would be. Very pretty – and the portages in between were easy, only the one between Morgan and Jake had any bit of a challenge to it and that was only from the muck at the take out(lots of moose prints though). I added some downed logs to the take-out area in an effort of improvement. After crossing Jake and the portage into Vista, I reclaimed my pack and paddled back through and down Vista - very pretty in its southern half – and by 3:30 was on Misquah.
The portage was rocky but relatively easy and the view across Misquah was gorgeous though moose free –shimmering in yellows and light orange and bits of green. I was close and could well have paddled out – the exit at Ram Lake being only a few miles away - but I had food, drink, the weather was fine and promised to be dry so I decided to keep the night for myself. I’m happy I did. I let the day linger in me as I set up camp. I prepared my packet of soup, had a sip and promptly knocked it over. I made another and this time got all of it in me then sat by the fire as the night darkened and thought about what brought me here and how this place has saved me. I rely on it yet to keep me well.
The fire burned out and was doused. I spent some time looking at the stars and the silent water. I drank the last of my wine, tied off my ursack and took my time falling asleep, feeling too content to have a worry in the world.
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