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March 19 2024

Entry Point 24 - Fall Lake

Fall Lake entry point allows overnight paddle or motor (25 HP max). This entry point is supported by Kawishiwi Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 7 miles. "Access is a boat landing at Fall Lake. Several trip options to Newton, Basswood, & Mud Lakes with additionalportages." This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 14
Elevation: 1324 feet
Latitude: 47.9527
Longitude: -91.7213
"This trip will be taking off from Fall Lake up through Newton Falls portage onto Pipestone Bay campsites. 3 day, 2 night trip into the wilderness.

1st solo trip

by thecanoeman
Trip Report

Entry Date: June 10, 2008
Entry Point: Fall Lake
Number of Days: 3
Group Size: 1

Trip Introduction:
I have a new found respect for all you solo canoeist out there.

Day 1 of 3


Tuesday, June 10, 2008

I just came back from my first solo trip. it was a last minute thing so I took a permit out of Fall lake up to Pipestone bay. Well, it was an eye opener, 1st it was raining and windy. I got started at 4:30 am then (in my own defense it was my 1st time in this area) I lost my way within 5 minutes it wasn't till an hour later I started thinking where the #ell am I, when I realized that I made a mistake right at the beginning, I started to laugh then I started to call myself every name in the book. nothing like getting lost in the early morning in rain and wind. Then I corrected my path and all was right. I am not used to these portages they were like roads the whole way. I trolled on the way in, I caught a walleye in Newton then when I hit Pipestone it was so windy I put the fishing rod away. I found out I like my Prism it handles waves a lot better than my Mad river explorer. This being my 1st solo I wore my PFD all the time and good thing... I took chances, If I were with anybody else they would've talked me out of it. there were times when I was pretty far from shore I questioned my decision but I prevailed. campsite after campsite was taken then finally I got one right after Hidden bay it was pretty nice I rate it 3 out of 5 stars. It was only a 4 hour paddle but after getting started so early and fighting the wind I needed to take a nap. when I woke up the winds calmed down a little so I went out and caught some Smallies and Northerns nothing big but it was a good start. I ran into a group from Iowa they were catching walleyes at the mouth of Hidden bay. I tried to start a fire, but I am disappointed in my fire making skills this day, all the wood was saturated. I give up and I am tired I go to sleep at 8:00 pm.

1 Eagle, 6 Smallies, 2 Northerns and a million mosquitoes.

 



Day 2 of 3


Wednesday, June 11, 2008 I wake at 4:30 and I listen for wind, none, I listen for Rain, none. then I lay there soaking it all in when all of a sudden I feel another presence it is moving slowly but with a mission up my arm it was a TICK!!!! I move as though someone yelled BEAR and I grab the flashlight and I am right I crush it with all 230 lbs of force, what a way to wake up. It is a beautiful day but I suspect it wont be for long. I checked the weather before I left and the report calls for 20 to 30 mph winds. I get some great shots of the sunrise over the bay, by the time I make coffee the winds start up and within 1 hour they are howling. I try to hone my fire making skills and today is a better day. Camp bound I spend all day tending to the fire, chopping, splitting and drying wood out. I even made a wood pile that is going to make some weary traveler very happy. I did everything short of striking a match for them. I realize that one doesn't need to have a large blazing fire, I had one that was just right. I have a couple of visitors, the local camp robbers and they rob me blind. its been 24hrs without company and I feed them in fear that they will leave me, they oblige and keep me company for hours they would even fly and land on my hand. there was also a fledgling with them it was a very unusual color almost like steel blue. I here what I thought was an Eagle, when I move to get a closer look they both fly over my head they were dark and as large as an Eagle and made the same sound as one but I'm not sure what they were? When I check the canoe and see the leech container came loose from the wind so there go's $30.00 in a container and leeches. again I am sleeping by 8:00 pm. All through the night we have some very bad winds and rain, I wake a couple of times to check on the canoe.

3 camp robbers, 2 unknown Eagle like birds, no mosquitoes and 1 TICK

 



Day 3 of 3


Thursday, June 12, 2008 When I wake this morning I hear rain and wind I decide to sleep in till 6:30 am. I look outside and make the move its time to come out. so I walked to the shore and it looks terrible rain, wind. I brake down camp and the wind and rain disappear like it never existed and I rush to get on the lake. Its a good traveling day I had a little bit of rain but its wasn't all bad. Saw a pleated woodpecker on Newton lake. All the way back I see people who didn't fair well last night and being solo and efficient I blow by everybody and am back at the parking lot at 11:00 am.

1 pleated Woodpecker, Loons and multiple wet sleepless paddlers.

I have a new found respect for solo canoeist's

1 - They are the solely responsible for their actions

2 - you better like yourself because it isn't that easy being by yourself

3 - I had to keep busy and something as simple as a fire made a difference

4 - I know that the weather wasn't the best but I'm not sure if I can do this again. I will try but I'll make sure its on smaller waters and during better weather.

 


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