Poplar to Ham, via Winchell, Long Island, and Frost
by Jazzywine
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
08/17/2015
Entry Point:
Lizz and Swamp Lakes (EP 47)
Exit Point:
Cross Bay Lake (EP 50)
Number of Days:
9
Group Size:
6
Discuss Trip:
View Discussion Thread (7 messages)
Day 6 of 9
Saturday, August 22, 2015
We woke early and struck camp. The weather radio told us to expect storms in the afternoon and we wanted to have a new camp set up long before then.
We headed down (or up?) the long Island River and almost immediately hit a beaver dam portage that wasn’t on our map (Voyageur series - there were a few more like this and it really seems like they need an update for this area). Eventually we made it to the long portage to Unload Lake, paddled across, then another unmarked portage to Frost Lake. The wind picked up as we paddled along the shore and found one of the beautiful sandy beach campsites on the northwestern shore of Frost around 11am.
The campsite had many downed and damaged trees, so after hearing (weather radio again) that the already strong wind would intensify that night with a possibility of hail, we chose the safest spots we could find for our tents and set up extra tarps. The wind didn’t let up that afternoon and we spent a lazy day in the sun under some very loud trees. Exploring the beach revealed fresh moose tracks near a reedy area where a swampy stream leaked into the lake. Frost was on our route exactly for its moosey reputation, so we set our alarms before turning in. Just before dusk that night the sky lit up with fantastic colors.
Long Island Lake, Frost Lake
We woke early and struck camp. The weather radio told us to expect storms in the afternoon and we wanted to have a new camp set up long before then.
We headed down (or up?) the long Island River and almost immediately hit a beaver dam portage that wasn’t on our map (Voyageur series - there were a few more like this and it really seems like they need an update for this area). Eventually we made it to the long portage to Unload Lake, paddled across, then another unmarked portage to Frost Lake. The wind picked up as we paddled along the shore and found one of the beautiful sandy beach campsites on the northwestern shore of Frost around 11am.
The campsite had many downed and damaged trees, so after hearing (weather radio again) that the already strong wind would intensify that night with a possibility of hail, we chose the safest spots we could find for our tents and set up extra tarps. The wind didn’t let up that afternoon and we spent a lazy day in the sun under some very loud trees. Exploring the beach revealed fresh moose tracks near a reedy area where a swampy stream leaked into the lake. Frost was on our route exactly for its moosey reputation, so we set our alarms before turning in. Just before dusk that night the sky lit up with fantastic colors.
Long Island Lake, Frost Lake
Donate - BWCA.com