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      Trip Report - Recalling 2016 EP 4
 
  Last Visit: 03/29/2024 03:07AM

Entry Point 1 - Trout Lake

Trout Lake entry point allows overnight paddle or motor (25 HP max). This entry point is supported by La Croix Ranger Station near the city of Cook, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 30 miles. Access from LakeVermilion via 60-rod canoe portage or 180-rod portage that allows the use of portage wheels. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 12
Elevation: 1381 feet
Latitude: 47.9144
Longitude: -92.3220
Author Message Text
Teenda
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03/13/2018 02:05PM
 
New Trip Report posted by Teenda

Trip Name: Recalling 2016 EP 4.

Entry Point: 4

Click Here to View Trip Report
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Pinetree
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03/13/2018 05:15PM
 
Thanks for the nice report.
treehorn
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03/14/2018 09:00AM
 
Wow, not trying to pile on or shame you in any way (shit happens), but a boat (with your PFD's) ending up on the other side of the lake is a pretty scary occurrence.


Glad you got it without incident. Many people vastly overestimate their swimming abilities and could have easily gotten themselves into a hell of a pickle by attempting that swim.


Thanks for the report...crazy hearing about so many spots being occupied...I was in this area July of '17 and found more solitude than I ever expected on Crab/Cummings, and surrounding areas on day trips.
Teenda
senior membersenior membersenior member
 
03/14/2018 10:03AM
 
treehorn: "Wow, not trying to pile on or shame you in any way (shit happens), but a boat (with your PFD's) ending up on the other side of the lake is a pretty scary occurrence.



Glad you got it without incident. Many people vastly overestimate their swimming abilities and could have easily gotten themselves into a hell of a pickle by attempting that swim.



Thanks for the report...crazy hearing about so many spots being occupied...I was in this area July of '17 and found more solitude than I ever expected on Crab/Cummings, and surrounding areas on day trips."




Oh, it was bad! I don't deny that, it took me 6 years to tell anyone! My husband still won't bring it up. Tough lesson learned and that's why we drag our canoe clear into camp AND tie it up! My longest open water swim was 2.4 miles while fighting waves. Luckily this lake was probably less than half that and it was like glass. I still never want to do it again nor would I recommend it to anyone else! Never would I suggest going after your canoe in open water, don't do what I did!!! Seriously, it's a long lonely swim and unspeakable things can go through your head. You will either make it or die. It's not a pleasant thought.


I couldn't believe how many sites were occupied. I thought for sure the area would be fairly devoid of humans. We must have went during the highest occupancy time of the decade. Still a fantastic trip and looking forward to a nrw entry point for trip #4 this August!
treehorn
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
03/14/2018 10:31AM
 
Teenda: "treehorn: "Wow, not trying to pile on or shame you in any way (shit happens), but a boat (with your PFD's) ending up on the other side of the lake is a pretty scary occurrence.




Glad you got it without incident. Many people vastly overestimate their swimming abilities and could have easily gotten themselves into a hell of a pickle by attempting that swim.




Thanks for the report...crazy hearing about so many spots being occupied...I was in this area July of '17 and found more solitude than I ever expected on Crab/Cummings, and surrounding areas on day trips."





Oh, it was bad! I don't deny that, it took me 6 years to tell anyone! My husband still won't bring it up. Tough lesson learned and that's why we drag our canoe clear into camp AND tie it up! My longest open water swim was 2.4 miles while fighting waves. Luckily this lake was probably less than half that and it was like glass. I still never want to do it again nor would I recommend it to anyone else! Never would I suggest going after your canoe in open water, don't do what I did!!! Seriously, it's a long lonely swim and unspeakable things can go through your head. You will either make it or die. It's not a pleasant thought.



Yep, I've done a few triathlons, so I know some of the thoughts you speak of. Although in a tri the consequence of pooping out is not death, so I can't even imagine what that's like.


Did you have to somehow bring a paddle with you, or was that on the boat too?


Sorry, don't mean to be grilling you - but this is a pretty remarkable thing to hear about in a trip report for me!
Teenda
senior membersenior membersenior member
 
03/14/2018 11:39AM
 
treehorn: "Teenda: "treehorn: "Wow, not trying to pile on or shame you in any way (shit happens), but a boat (with your PFD's) ending up on the other side of the lake is a pretty scary occurrence.





Glad you got it without incident. Many people vastly overestimate their swimming abilities and could have easily gotten themselves into a hell of a pickle by attempting that swim.





Thanks for the report...crazy hearing about so many spots being occupied...I was in this area July of '17 and found more solitude than I ever expected on Crab/Cummings, and surrounding areas on day trips."






Oh, it was bad! I don't deny that, it took me 6 years to tell anyone! My husband still won't bring it up. Tough lesson learned and that's why we drag our canoe clear into camp AND tie it up! My longest open water swim was 2.4 miles while fighting waves. Luckily this lake was probably less than half that and it was like glass. I still never want to do it again nor would I recommend it to anyone else! Never would I suggest going after your canoe in open water, don't do what I did!!! Seriously, it's a long lonely swim and unspeakable things can go through your head. You will either make it or die. It's not a pleasant thought.




Yep, I've done a few triathlons, so I know some of the thoughts you speak of. Although in a tri the consequence of pooping out is not death, so I can't even imagine what that's like.



Did you have to somehow bring a paddle with you, or was that on the boat too?



Sorry, don't mean to be grilling you - but this is a pretty remarkable thing to hear about in a trip report for me!"



Both paddles were Velcro strapped to the canoe and both were there when I arrived.


I hope you never read about a swim like this again nor do I think anyone should ever do it. It wasn't something we took lightly. If I hadn't completed a tri and also the swim leg of 2 group tri-s we never would have considered this retrieval. It was still scary and my mother knows nothing of it. I warmed up, stretched, and warmed up some more. My husband who I have never heard pray aloud before or after this event, prayed for safety, strong strokes, no cramps, and continued glass lake surface. We knew the 2 outcomes.


Again, to anyone reading this, don't retrieve your canoe by swimming across a lake. Just don't.
boonie
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
03/14/2018 02:46PM
 
Thanks for the report - it brought back memories. Crab was the entry for my third trip and my brother's first. We also really liked the Korb River. It was early Sept and not crowded at all, but did get very windy and cold the last couple of days. The night before our exit, we were wearing all the clothes we brought . . . and we weren't really unprepared! The next morning, wind was so strong, we just bushwhacked to the portage to Burntside in a blizzard and hoped the towboat was coming. He came, but said he had some second thoughts; it was wild ride across Burntside!


And thanks for sharing about losing your canoe. I've read other stories of it happening. It will keep someone from repeating that.
Teenda
senior membersenior membersenior member
 
03/14/2018 06:05PM
 
boonie: "Thanks for the report - it brought back memories. Crab was the entry for my third trip and my brother's first. We also really liked the Korb River. It was early Sept and not crowded at all, but did get very windy and cold the last couple of days. The night before our exit, we were wearing all the clothes we brought . . . and we weren't really unprepared! The next morning, wind was so strong, we just bushwhacked to the portage to Burntside in a blizzard and hoped the towboat was coming. He came, but said he had some second thoughts; it was wild ride across Burntside!



And thanks for sharing about losing your canoe. I've read other stories of it happening. It will keep someone from repeating that. "



I bet it was quite the ride! I'm glad he came to get you though!
boonie
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03/14/2018 06:40PM
 
It was - my brother thanked me afterwards for "giving him the full experience". :)
Teenda
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03/15/2018 07:09AM
 
boonie: "It was - my brother thanked me afterwards for "giving him the full experience". :)"


Full experience! Ha ha ha ha!
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