Sunday, May 22, 2022 The rain kept falling through the night but only enough to wet the tent fly. Chilly but not as cold as last night: 36 degrees. The loons were calling wildly and woke me up several times during the night. A cloudy day again, but the wind is still fairly calm. We kindled a damp campfire as we sipped our morning coffee and ate our oatmeal. We shoved off by 9:00 on our way up to Frost Lake.

We skirted the sheltered sides of the islands to stay out of what chop was out there. I managed fairly well, but sometimes a gust would come up and spin me off course. As I hoisted the canoe on my shoulders to start the Gordon Lake portage, I heard little “tinking” noises above. Suddenly my Dad exclaimed, “I think it’s snowing!” Sure enough, little sleet pellets started rolling off the sides of the canoe! We glided under the beautiful cliffs of Gordon Lake marveling at how we far away we could hear all the little streams entering the lake. We pulled up to the Unload Lake and I massaged my shoulders. Yup, things are a little sore from yesterday. Though long, the portage was scenic with huge cliffs with hanging moss and lichen. Blue Bead Lily, Canada Mayflower, and ferns were just unfurling while the Gooseberries were just starting to bloom. We rounded a corner near a tall rock face and lo and behold: a pile of snow!

This more remote portage ends amongst a beautiful stand of cedars at a beautiful beaver lake before emptying out into Frost Lake. We met another paddler heading back in and mentioned that he had lost a pair of crocs on a portage. What are the chances that we would run into him! We promptly returned his footwear to him and he thanked us profusely! We scooted our way over the beaver dam and we were in Frost Lake! Our destination is a sand beach site on the west side of the lake. We battled a head wind to get over there to an empty and sheltered campsite! We set up camp and had a hot lunch before heading back out on a day paddle down the Frost River.

The river gurgled loudly at its exit point on the lake and we heard it constantly on our long hilly portage. Lots of down trees to step over and crouch under. Back in the boat, the Frost River meanders lazily amongst Leatherleaf flats and we marveled at the Water Lily leaves just emerging from the mucky riverbed. We were able to float through a portage into Octopus Lake (maybe one of my favorite little lakes of the trip). Scraggly Jack Pine and Black Spruce lined the rocky shores and every bay seemed to host a pair of mergansers. At a portage around a set of rapids we admired the lime green moss and pale corydalis plants just coming up. We admired the beautiful waterway dreaming of the day when we can complete the route. Spring seems like the perfect time to do it with the higher water levels. We were able to paddle over a beaver dam (with much joyful whooping and hollering).

Once back at camp we immediately made some warm coffee. Even though the sun was peeking out, we were constantly taking off and putting back on layers with every passing cloud. Then it started snowing again! We had a gourmet spaghetti squash Thai peanut noodle dish complete with fresh broccoli and green onions. Yum! This was why the food bags were so heavy, huh? We had a lovely evening fire as the sun set and the lake turned to glass. We listed to whistling ducks, spring peepers, and loud beavers slapping their tails in the night.

~Cherokee Lake, Gordon Lake, Unload Lake, Frost Lake