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March 19 2024

Entry Point 27 - Snowbank Lake

Snowbank 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 24 miles. Access is a boat landing or canoe launch at Snowbank Lake. Many trip options for paddlers. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 8
Elevation: 1191 feet
Latitude: 47.9716
Longitude: -91.4326
Snowbank Lake - 27

Loop from Snowbank to Lake 1

by spankatolla
Trip Report

Entry Date: August 15, 2012
Entry Point: Snowbank Lake
Exit Point: Lake One (30)
Number of Days: 5
Group Size: 2

Trip Introduction:
Yearly trip taken with my friend Gabe. I have always wanted to do this trip and Gabe would get his first taste at doing a loop.

Day 1 of 5


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Arrived at Voyager North Outfitters and picked up permits, bait and odds and ends. Dropped off the Jeep keys to Kawishiwi Lodge and left Snowbank Landing around 1pm. Got our butts kicked on the portage to Disappointment. As we reached Ahsub Lake, contemplated staying or moving on. All sites were taken. As we made our way through some of the muck, Gabe broke one of my poorly designed paddles, thats why there is a spare. We made our way through Jitterbug, Adventure, Cattymen and Jordan. Storm was rolling in and getting late. All sites taken on Jordan. On to Ima. First two sites taken, but one site offers us information that the south island site was open at 3. We got the site. Gabe started the fire, while I set up the tent, in the mist. Gabe cooked steaks and potatoes for dinner. Fire went out and Gabe went to bed, while I stayed up and watched the lightning to the south light up the sky with loons calling in the background.

Snowbank Lake, Disappointment Lake, Ahsub Lake, Jitterbug Lake, Adventure Lake, Cattyman Lake, Jordan Lake, Ima Lake

 



Day 2 of 5


Thursday, August 16, 2012

– Gabe awoke an hour before me and watched a couple of loons swim by camp. Went for a quick troll of the islands east side to check out the lake conditions. No bites and lake was choppy. Went back to camp ate breakfast and packed up. Headed out and wind had picked up. Waves were crashing into the canoe and we could feel ourselves being pushed towards a huge cliff, in our attempt to miss the cliff we also missed the portage. Went back through huge waves and found the portage. As we got to Thomas, the wind kicked up and flipped the compass, I had laying on a map, into the water. Portage to Alice was long. As we reached Alice wind picked up again. Settled on site with SW view. No Wind!!! No fire due to wet wood. So set up camp, bathed, ate and slept.

Ima Lake, Hatchet Lake, Thomas Lake, Alice Lake

 



Day 3 of 5


Friday, August 17, 2012

Woke up and made coffee and fished from shore with no luck. Decided to troll between the two points and we both caught a smallie. Stopped at the closest campsite for a look around and get a better orientation. Gabe made a fire and cooked sausage for breakfast burritos. Packed and headed to Insula. Took the river route due to the single portage. Stopped at campsite to have lunch and almost lost the canoe, due to not tying it up. We continued across the north end of Insula and ventured through a little pull through area that had a nice campsite on the other side, but due to my stupid, adventurous mentality; we continued on to see our options. Through our travels we investigated a portage, not on the map, other campsites and our first view of the damage left by the Pagami Fire. Wow!! Circled around what we thought was an island, to make it back to our original campsite, only to find out it was a huge peninsula. We're able to make our way back to our original campsite just before another group. Set up camp and made Lasagna Hamburger helper with Garlic toast. Fished from shore with no luck. Fire was mediocre due to the wet wood from showers earlier in the day.

Alice Lake, Insula, Lake

 



Day 4 of 5


Saturday, August 18, 2012

Woke up and made coffee, fished from shore and got rods ready for the trolling. Went by the islands, and on the first pass Gabe caught a FAT bluegill. Second pass Gabe got snagged and I caught a walleye as we drifted back to his snag. We repeated this scenario two more times, with Gabe getting snagged and me catching a walleye, until a storm rolled in and we had to head back to camp. Cleaned the fish, packed camp, and paddled our way to the numbered Chain O Lakes. Unbelievable all the charred toothpicks in this area and all the new growth underneath it. Got a little disoriented without the compass, but eventually found the portage out of Insula. Found a campsite on Lake Four, and for the first time set up camp before 7pm. Had time to rinse off, have a fish fry, set up camp and just veg in front of the lake. Had a beaver go right in front of the campsite not more than 10 yards away. Made dinner and watched our first sunset and our first nice fire.

Insula, Lake, Hudson Lake, Four, Lake

 



Day 5 of 5


Sunday, August 19, 2012

Woke up to morning fog. Broke camp while eating breakfast and on the lake early. No one else on lake four. Went to the north side of the island and had to do a short portage into lake 3. Saw a handful of sites occupied as we entered the heavily populated lake 2. Gabe missed a rock on the approach to the portage and submerged his boots in the water. Portages were busy with people leaving and entering. Got pseudo lost coming across lake one and made it to kawishiwi lodge by noon. Packed up and headed home by 10.

Trip notes – Amazing how the forest can regenerate in a year. First time I’ve been hear where it went from cold to holt to cold in minutes.

 

Lakes Traveled:   Four, Lake, Three, Lake,