I've been to Snipe Lake on numerous occasions. Even in the winter! Yet, I've never actually camped here. It's always been just a pass through lake on other trips. After reviewing yet another top notch photo trip report by ghamer, (which highlights this area) I felt I needed to remedy that. So, here we are ready to spend a couple days on this overlooked gem.

While I've known of Gary (ghamer) for quite some time, I only recently happened to meet him in the unlikeliest of places. As I was about to push off from the island camp on Boulder lake he pulled up and we proceeded to have a (much needed for me) conversation. I was on a long solo and was getting fed up with the long stretch of cold rainy weather and Gary was a blessed ray of sunlight to boost my spirits when spirits were low. Like with the Spartans, I wanted to be, walk & see where he had been and this was my attempt to do just that.

Much to my relief, Aurora is completely fascinated with our new site. As mentioned it's by no means a destination site but, it does offer some pretty neat amenities. And nature seems to be cooperating here too as we have a loon diving right out in front of camp and the bumble bees are busy pollinating the blueberries scattered around camp.

I had hoped to make it to Missing Link and/or Mavis lake to try some fishing today but, Aurora would like to take it easy today and, "Not have to do any portages where we have to haul stuff." I do, however, convince her to go out for paddle around Snipe Lake and see what there is to see.

Of course we paddle through perhaps the most scenic of spots on the lake - the narrows just north of our camp. Aurora confirms its a "cool spot." Really one of the neatest things about Snipe Lake is that while it is a small lake; there are so many little channels, fingers and islands that is seems so much bigger than it actually is. And, its fun to explore all these nooks & crannies. Next we paddle back to the recently vacated island site and check it out. While we do try some fishing, predictably we don't have any luck. I tell Aurora that is why I wanted to go to other lakes to fish. Finally, we paddle over to the landing for the portage to Copper Lake.

A mess of knobby boulders comprising the landing and then there's a decent hill to ascend before descending steeply down to a neat little footbridge. The trail then works its way away from the little creek on mostly level ground before rejoining the water at the edge of a swamp (which could be wet/mushy during wetter periods) before terminating at a long standing beaver dam which is currently a well stocked bone yard of old beaver sticks. A large group of yellow butterflies are inhabiting the area as we approach. Really a nice walk but, portaging will likely be a challenge for most.

Once we return to camp, Aurora reveals she has been saving her last Honey Stinger snack and hot chocolate packet for tonight (our last). I am impressed with her self imposed fasting and tell her that is definitely a quality that will serve her well in her spiritual journey. There's no shortage of visitors around our campfire this evening as Aurora constructs a new home for her new friend, a toad named "Magnet". She also notices a jittery mouse who pop's out from time to time as well. Another star gazing evening and we take extra time in prayer of gratitude tonight for an excellent trip.