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March 19 2024

Entry Point 40 - Homer Lake

Homer Lake entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Tofte Ranger Station near the city of Tofte, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 33 miles. Access is a boat landing at Homer Lake. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 2
Elevation: 1825 feet
Latitude: 47.9043
Longitude: -90.6605
Homer Lake - 40

Solo Trip to Pipe Lake

by CoffeeInTheWoods
Trip Report

Entry Date: May 30, 2019
Entry Point: Homer Lake
Number of Days: 3
Group Size: 1

Trip Introduction:
Every May/June, my wife graciously allows me to sneak away for a few days to the woods. Solitude is my goal. I found it on Pipe Lake.

Day 1 of 3


Thursday, May 30, 2019

Days Zero and One

My car was loaded up on Wednesday and rather than taking the bus to my downtown Minneapolis, I drove in, found a surface parking space where my canoe-topped vehicle didn’t take up too much space, and tried to get some work done. At 3 pm, I called it a day and jumped on 35W, heading north. By 6 pm, I was at Duluth Pack, watching the new videos. (Apparently some of them can be watched online?) Permit in hand, I headed up 61, taking Caribou Trail inland at Lutsen and arriving at White Pine Lake National Forest Campground as dark fell. I was the only person at the campground and quickly set up my new Big Agnes tent, set an alarm for 4 am, and slept fitfully for five hours. At 4 am, I made some coffee, packed up, and was at the Homer Lake put-in by 5:30. My old canoe was on the still water by 6.

Two cars were next to mine in the Homer Lake parking lot and I wondered if I’d find solitude on Pipe. Passing the first campsite on Homer, a large tent was set up and it looked like the occupants of both vehicles were sleeping in that morning. The water was topped with pollen and other springtime residue, but stayed flat as I passed the second campsite being guarded by a bald eagle at the top of a white pine tree. I let him keep the site and continued west.

Two years ago, I took my daughters and parents through this entry point on our way to Vern Lake. We only made it one night on Vern. Massive thunderstorms meant my companions were ready to go early. The forecast was much better this trip. Slight chances of showers each day are no worry when a tent, a tarp, and no movement are on the itinerary.

As I hit the lovely series of portages leading from Homer to East Pipe and then Pipe, the black flies came out in force. Protected by my head net, my only worry was their rather annoying company. I had targeted either the far west or far east site on Pipe Lake, but paddled right by the east site. No giant rock outcropping on this lake meant that the campsites are a bit inconspicuous. In retrospect, the east site seems to be significantly further east than the McKenzie shows.

I landed at the west site by 11 and while it certainly wasn't five stars, it would be sufficient. A quick stroll through the site showed an excellent tent pad, a decent kitchen area, and a ton of moose poop.

The sun came in and out as I set up camp (tent, hammock, tarp, gravity filter, chair, wood). I was traveling heavy since there were only short portages and base camping.

By late afternoon, I was back on the water paddling around what seemed to be very high water. I lost a number of jigs to snags, but caught a few pike, and a few smallmouth, one of which would be my dinner.

After cleaning the fish across the lake and disposing of the remains, I settled into a fish dinner by the fire, and a relatively early bedtime.

~Homer Lake, East Pipe Lake, Pipe Lake

  

 

Lakes Traveled:   Homer Lake, East Pipe Lake, Pipe Lake,


Day 2 of 3


Friday, May 31, 2019

I woke up cold at 7 am. A quick fire and a mug of coffee solved that problem. The lake was choppy that morning so I stayed by the fire for a couple hours reading, journaling, and drinking coffee. By 10 am, the sun died down so I packed up a lunch and hit the water. Trolling the south shore with a fire tiger spoon landed a couple pike, but nothing else. I explored the central site a bit and then found the east campsite, which might be the nicest on the lake and had my lunch there (BW hot dogs - meat stick, cheese, tortilla).

I was back in my hammock at 2 pm for a nice nap. Well-rested, I grabbed my Silky Tomboy and paddled down shore to harvest some firewood.

With a huge pile processed, I was on the water at 5. The lake was glass as I trolled and casted. I only caught one battle-scarred northern pike unfortunately. There would be no walleye for dinner. At 8, the wind picked up and I battled back to camp. Supper was a simple chicken noodle soup. I stayed by the fire until 11, enjoying being the only person on the entire lake.

~Pipe Lake

 

 

Lakes Traveled:   Pipe Lake,


Day 3 of 3


Saturday, June 01, 2019

Woke up cold again at 6 am. My sleeping bag may be on it's last legs ... or I'm just getting old. A nice fire, and then a leisurely morning packing things up, enjoying the sun, and savoring the last few hours of solitude.

The winds were out of the west as I headed back across Pipe. I barely needed to paddle and I was on East Pipe again. The paddle through Homer was also quick as the wind was at my back the whole time. I was back at my car by 1 and home by 7.

These short trips are life-giving to this introvert living in an extroverted world. I'll be back up in a couple weeks with my dad and sons. Lots more travel and movement on that trip planned. Can't wait.

~Pipe Lake, East Pipe Lake, Homer Lake

Lessons from this Trip: 1. Take a lot of comfort gear on short, solo, basecamp trips. It's worth it. 2. Lighten up on food. I don't eat as much as I think when I have to cook. 3. Bring a warmer sleeping bag. 4. Bring more jig heads. 5. New gravity filter is a huge win. Why haven't I got one of these before?! 6. My fillet skills are weak. 7. NF campgrounds are perfect for the night before.

 

Lakes Traveled:   Pipe Lake, East Pipe Lake, Homer Lake,

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