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November 03 2024

Entry Point 34 - Island River

Island River entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Tofte Ranger Station near the city of Grand Marais, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 19 miles. Two small portages leading to Isabella River. No portages on Island River.

Number of Permits per Day: 2
Elevation: 1564 feet
Latitude: 47.7912
Longitude: -91.3332
Island River - 34

isabella lake

by uigreyjay
Trip Report

Entry Date: August 22, 2009
Entry Point: Isabella Lake
Number of Days: 7
Group Size: 2

Trip Introduction:
the rivers on each side of isabella lake was an attraction for me in planning this trip. they would give us more new area's to explore, while basecamped on Isabella.

Day 1 of 7


Saturday, August 22, 2009 after a horrible night stay, which i ended up sleeping in the car due to the humming of electrical noises in our ceiling, my wife tapped on the window in the parking lot of the voyager's inn in two harbors at 4:30 am to say, let's get the heck out of here, we were headed north to isabella lake. after finding most sites occupied, we paddled to the east end to find our dream 5 star camp open. we grabbed it, thrilled to be back in canoe country on a beautiful site. camp was set up, a swim on a beautiful sandy beach completed the day.

 



Day 2 of 7


Sunday, August 23, 2009 sleep in canoe country is incredible. it was good to be back in our tent in complete silence and darkness. seeing the night sky, plus the milky way right over head, is indescribable. we had breakfast and planned our day. a paddle up parent river was the choice. it was a perfect aug day.

 



Day 3 of 7


Monday, August 24, 2009 today was the day of wind. with two decent books we got settled into a day at camp.the sun was warm as we would stroll to our beach and enjoy the warmth of the water and the drying sun.  

 



Day 4 of 7


Tuesday, August 25, 2009 the wind continued during the night into the morning and early afternoon. by late afternoon we were able to paddle to the north and tour north isabella. we paddled around the big island. it was nice to be on the water again.

 



Day 5 of 7


Wednesday, August 26, 2009 after breakfast we loaded up our day pack and headed to the west to explore isabella river and points west. on our way across isabella all sites were taken. what a very busy lake. we were fortunate to have our site. stopping at the pow wow trail, we stretched our legs only to be retreating back to the canoe by swarms of skitters. i was not expecting the flying bloodsuckers to be quite so thick this late in the year. the river was beautiful, quiet, and very peaceful. i caught a few small walleyes and northern. we paddled along enjoying another beautiful sunny day making our way to rice lake. what an understatement, and to think there are 2 campsites up there in that rice field somewhere. it was time to head for camp. the sunset was awesome, fewer skitters tonight, a fire and stars, a perfect evening on our granite patio.   

 



Day 6 of 7


Thursday, August 27, 2009 another wonderful night of deep sleep. we had another awesome breakfast. i went out to fish, caught a northern, the wind picked up as i paddled back to camp. the weather was changing. rain was on the way. i did some tarp work, seems i am always dinking around with the tarp. i enjoy it. my wife is reading in the hammock. we hiked our shoreline as it is a sidewalk of granite from our site to the north. the lake was quiet. due to the east wind we were sheltered from it and the skitters were back sending us to our tent. comfy and cozy we listened to the wind as it serenaded us to sleep.  

 



Day 7 of 7


Friday, August 28, 2009 it rained all night. no milky way tonight. after coffee we had a break in the weather. it was time to pack up and head home. we had a nice paddle across isabella to the take out. heading up the trail is always bittersweet. loading the car it started to rain. by the time i put the canoe on it. the rain was coming down harder. all loaded up we began our journey home. another great trip.

 


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