After a long day of work, driving and getting lost and paddling I am at my first night’s campsite on Kelly Lake. I had quite a day with getting out of work early and driving up alone. Passing the Baker Lake campground because I thought it was just the campground and not the lake put me in a predicament about whether to turn around or not but I’m sure glad I did.

My portage through Baker was easy enough but the water level leading into Peterson Lake is so low that I had to maneuver around two areas before I could get into the main channel of the lake. My canoe has some new battle scars to attest to the low water levels.

Once I was in I was greeted by a fly over of 5-6 ducks (not sure which species) but one flew directly over head only about 20 feet in the air and it was a nice treat. Naturally I didn’t have my camera out. I saw a wood duck too but same problem.

I mistook the 3 rod portage in Peterson to be simply low water levels. I tried paddling as far west as I could and gave up. Paddled east past the massive boulder field to an area I could do a simple pull over. And that’s what I did. A little tricky walking through the faster running water but I made it.

Not happy I left my kayak paddle at home. I think I could be making much better time with it versus the canoe paddle. I just don’t have the J stroke down and I am fighting just to keep the canoe in a straight line. Thankfully it is a mild tailwind so it’s not all bad. But, I was absent minded and left the kayak paddle at home so the canoe paddle it is.

Paddling through Kelly I notice the blow down area on the eastern shore. Figure I would like a picture but I’m past the area before I can get a decent shot.

I kept looking for campsites but couldn’t seem to find them. I think I spotted the peninsula site but I was not in the mood to stop so soon.

I got to the north end of Kelly Lake and decided to take the northern most camp site by around 6:15. I’m not sure my clock on the camera is set properly so I’m going to guess it is an hour slow and call it 7:15. It was getting towards dark and I thought it would take too much time to portage onto Jack and paddle it. I had wanted to camp at the northern most camp site on Jack!

I probably had the time but I’m not fond of landing a canoe in the dark. I found that out after a late night paddle on the crow river this year almost turned disastrous and setting up a tent in the dark is not a lot of fun either.

I really don’t care for this site as it is poorly maintained by previous visitors and there is really nothing nice about the site. The view isn’t really that great. People have cut down trees all around. The tent area is small and too close to the fire grate. However, it will have to do for tonight.

The tent setup really easy even though it’s been a while since I last used it. Hardest part is finding a flat spot. Second hardest part is getting the stakes in the ground. At least I found a relatively level site for the tent. Really wish I could spend the money on the hammock tent I would like. No more worries about a flat spot after that. >

Got up fairly early today but I didn't rush myself. I want to make sure I get things packed properly. Make sure I eat a decent meal so I have fuel for the numerous portages as well.

The lake is dead calm so I'm off to the portage. I was surprised how easy that portage was today. I thought I would be sore from yesterday but things went quick and soon enough I was on S. Temperance again heading back.

Naturally I stayed too far to the east and ended up in a cove where there was no portage into N. Temperance. Paddled around a peninsula and I was on the right course. Things looked a lot different this morning with the overcast and due to the fact I was heading back.

The landing at the portage didn’t look so spectacular on my way out. However, it sure looked good when I knew I was safe and sound at the right place. I took a deep breath when I got going on that 240 rod out of S. Temperance.

Things weren’t much lighter today but somehow with the lower temperatures, lack of sun and the fact I was well rested and fed the portage was easier today. I found my fallen tree at the 1/3 point and I knew what to expect. Moved on and took my time getting over the portage.

I was a little disoriented portaging for some reason, maybe since I hadn’t looked at the trail much on my way in. But I found reminders along the way that reassured me I was going the right way. At last I was at the end of the portage and unnamed lake looked good to me!

09:22

Taking a much need break on the portage from Jack into Kelly Lake (65 rods). Making good time and enjoying the day. Have to fuel up for the portage and paddle on Kelly Lake. The narrow strip before the portage is really low and I got hung up on the rocks in the water just like the first day. Just able to get through.

Finally made it to Baker Lake through the numerous rocks here in the channel. I'm just happy to have had a wonderful paddle back and a nice trip. Of course the wind has really picked up since starting this morning but I really can't complain that I have sunny skies and warm temperatures for this time of year it's awesome. This time I will launch from the official portage point and skip hauling stuff over the downed tree.

Lessons Learned:

Always keep the sunglasses either on a granny cord around your neck or in a protective case. That way you don't step on them at the portage.

Single portaging with a kayak deck bag is a pain. An under the seat canoe bag that is strapped to the canoe would have been much better. Update: I purchased a Granite Gear "Original Stowaway" under seat bag just like my buddy has from years ago. Thwart bags get in the way when portaging. This just sits on the underside of the seat even when portaging. Nothing fancy and relatively cheap. I tried contacting CCS to see if they would make something like this but they never responded to my email. I guess I'm not a big enough fish.

I'm a kayak paddle man and always will be. I really missed not having my paddle and I especially missed it the first day when I had a tailwind and the last day when I had a head wind.

I brought too much food but at least this time I was able to pare it down this time. Real food with a mixture of dehydrated makes a world of difference. I love the Nutrilite bars my wife sells (sorry for the plug) and will bring them again.

Carrying magazines in a bag that gets wet is not the way to bring them to the woods.

Put sunscreen on before you will need it.

Big mosquitoes in the evening can sound just like flies. Never have seen them this big before but at least you can see them unlike the small sneaky ones!

Got up fairly early today but I didn't rush myself. I want to make sure I get things packed properly. Make sure I eat a decent meal so I have fuel for the numerous portages as well.

The lake is dead calm so I'm off to the portage. I was surprised how easy that portage was today. I thought I would be sore from yesterday but things went quick and soon enough I was on S. Temperance again heading back.

Naturally I stayed too far to the east and ended up in a cove where there was no portage into N. Temperance. Paddled around a peninsula and I was on the right course. Things looked a lot different this morning with the overcast and due to the fact I was heading back.

The landing at the portage didn’t look so spectacular on my way out. However, it sure looked good when I knew I was safe and sound at the right place. I took a deep breath when I got going on that 240 rod out of S. Temperance.

Things weren’t much lighter today but somehow with the lower temperatures, lack of sun and the fact I was well rested and fed the portage was easier today. I found my fallen tree at the 1/3 point and I knew what to expect. Moved on and took my time getting over the portage.

I was a little disoriented portaging for some reason, maybe since I hadn’t looked at the trail much on my way in. But I found reminders along the way that reassured me I was going the right way. At last I was at the end of the portage and unnamed lake looked good to me!

09:22

Taking a much need break on the portage from Jack into Kelly Lake (65 rods). Making good time and enjoying the day. Have to fuel up for the portage and paddle on Kelly Lake. The narrow strip before the portage is really low and I got hung up on the rocks in the water just like the first day. Just able to get through.

Finally made it to Baker Lake through the numerous rocks here in the channel. I'm just happy to have had a wonderful paddle back and a nice trip. Of course the wind has really picked up since starting this morning but I really can't complain that I have sunny skies and warm temperatures for this time of year it's awesome. This time I will launch from the official portage point and skip hauling stuff over the downed tree.

Lessons Learned:

Always keep the sunglasses either on a granny cord around your neck or in a protective case. That way you don't step on them at the portage.

Single portaging with a kayak deck bag is a pain. An under the seat canoe bag that is strapped to the canoe would have been much better. Update: I purchased a Granite Gear "Original Stowaway" under seat bag just like my buddy has from years ago. Thwart bags get in the way when portaging. This just sits on the underside of the seat even when portaging. Nothing fancy and relatively cheap. I tried contacting CCS to see if they would make something like this but they never responded to my email. I guess I'm not a big enough fish.

I'm a kayak paddle man and always will be. I really missed not having my paddle and I especially missed it the first day when I had a tailwind and the last day when I had a head wind.

I brought too much food but at least this time I was able to pare it down this time. Real food with a mixture of dehydrated makes a world of difference. I love the Nutrilite bars my wife sells (sorry for the plug) and will bring them again.

Carrying magazines in a bag that gets wet is not the way to bring them to the woods.

Put sunscreen on before you will need it.

Big mosquitoes in the evening can sound just like flies. Never have seen them this big before but at least you can see them unlike the small sneaky ones!