BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
April 20 2024
Entry Point 1 - Trout Lake
Number of Permits per Day: 12
Elevation: 1381 feet
Latitude: 47.9144
Longitude: -92.3220
Trout Lake - 1
Family Excursion on Lake One/Two
Entry Date:
July 03, 2013
Entry Point:
Lake One
Number of Days:
4
Group Size:
4
We pushed off and floated away finally at about 4PM. Weather was good, still sunny, flies were manageable and water was calm. We found the first 19-rod portage to get into Lake One with little difficulty. However, the first portage into Confusion had some fairly vigorous rapids and strong current that you have to fight through. We were forewarned by another party of 3 canoeing families that the current "will push you right into the rocks/rock wall" and that you should "approach from the right bank (where the rock wall is). Good advice!
However, we approached that way and were pushed into the rock wall but then swamped a bit and backed off. Long story short, we paddled around the granite- faced corner of the ridge abutting the portage (opposite the 20r. portage into Kawishiwi) and dropped off my wife and two kids to bushwhack over to the portage trail while I attempted to get the canoe into the portage.
I approached the rapids this time from the left where there is 'quiet water' and turned quickly right to cross the rapids which are only about 10 feet or so wide, but strong --- I was still pushed into the wall of rock but was light enough not to swamp and was then able to paddle myself into the portage trail. My wife and kids made it through to the trail -- a bit scratched up but happy! :) After this portage trail, we pushed off and headed for the next portage which found quickly after winding our way through Confusion and finally arrived at Lake One. Loading up our gear, we recalculated our position with our maps and compass and shoved off.
I think Beymer describes Lake One as a confusion series of islands and channels that keep you referring back to your map and compass. We certainly had our challenges as we paddled out a bit too far south by southwest into the lake before heading east towards the next portage. Actually at this point we were tired, hungry and willing to settle for any open campsite. Landing the canoe on what we thought was the northern shoreline of Lake One and a promising campsite or two, turned out to be false alarms. Actually we were on the southern side of one of the two larger islands that block the view of the last three campsites on that shoreline on your way to the portage (first) into Lake Two. There was even a fire grate and ring (but no latrine) on one of the sites – must have been an old site. Turning the corner, we realized our error, shot a narrow channel between two islands and quickly found our cove campsite (#2). This was the second of the last three campsites on the north shore on the way to the first Lake Two portage (an excellent wooded, flat site with a rock wall at one end) in a little protected cove and beautiful views out onto Lake One!
One Pine Lake 
Calm morning, no winds! Bit of rain moved through but passed over quickly during the night. Excellent stars! Flat waters :) We decided on the return journey to go up Lake One arm all the way to the Kawishiwi Outfitters, do the "U-turn" down that pretty little narrow channel and cruise back into the Take out at EP31. A smarter choice for us! :)