Last night we got a lot of rain. The tent did perfect but I got soaked in a downpour when I went out for a bathroom break. It lightened up around 8:00 AM so then I found the tarp had collapsed from water collecting in it and there was a low spot where I stashed my packs underneath. A lot of gear was now sitting in three inches of water. Ugh.

I make coffee and Irish oatmeal, pack up in a hurry before it rains again and am on my way. It’s warm and foggy out. We take one of the “Heart Attack Hill” portages into Side Lake where I see the familiar rock formation of two past trips through this area.

To skip a brutal, direct portage into Sarah Lake I decide on the “bog route” at the north end of Side to get me there. All of the rain helped me and I was able to paddle the shallow bog all the way to a series of short portages into Sarah Lake. The rocks and tree roots are very slick from the rain and I took a tumble with my big pack and twisted my knee. It hurt pretty good but the pain was gone in an hour. Luna has no problem and loves to portage. I don’t share her enthusiasm today.

We cruise up Sarah in a light mist and stop for lunch at a site across from the McIntyre portage. The Early Winters soft sided cooler in the pic is something I’ve taken on every canoe trip going back to 1983. It’s the oldest piece of gear I use and is almost a mascot of sorts now. Still works great though. Besides a lunch box it’s great for when I filet fish away from camp as it will hold the filets and keep them cool.

This next portage of only 24 rods is aptly named The Goat Portage” into McIntyre Lake. It’s awfully rocky as you see and just a big short hill climb. Not easy when wet and carrying a canoe on your head. My trip journal notes say this: “I NEVER want to take a load DOWN that hill. I crawled on all fours with the big pack. Lots of hand holds and foot placements but still very dicey. Not easy when wet.”

Once safely on McIntyre it’s a long paddle further into the park interior. I’m headed for one of my favorite campsites on an island in the north end of this big lake. Hopefully it’s not taken. As I approach the large granite slab out in front I scan the site for any color or sign of movement. It’s empty and I am relieved.

I plan to layover for two nights here so take my time setting up. I stayed i here in 1988 and also 2001. It’s as gorgeous as ever. This site has it all.

Quetico 2016 McIntyre Lake from Tom Basso on Vimeo.