First Thoughts

- Did a better job of taking video

- need another battery for camera

- liked using a tent, but load was heavy

- part of that was 5 lbs of books, not a good idea

- Buy a two person tent?

- Enjoyed the radio

- need a better book on tape

- can take ½ of the stuff out of Ziploc Bag #1 too much “backup of backup” stuff there

- loved the trangia stove, get another gas bottle or two.

- Learn to fish. caught two, want more.

- base camping was a fun way to do things as well

- dehydrated meals worked well, still brought too much food and didn’t eat as much as expected

- did a better job with just bringing three snack foods and no lunches though

- I would still like to find a light wool button down shirt for fall

- Did I bring too many clothes, need to think about that

- Never leave rain pants at home in the fall again. Look at upgrading them

- Liked my walking stick, need to sand, stain and Poly it for day hiking

- put a aluminum sheet with trangia stove system for resting on fire grate.

- Get a better air mattress.

- Bring a small roll of paper towels

- Rain coat dried nicely hanging in the tent during the rain at night.

- For 4 day solo, bear barrel is big and makes the rest of the stuff pack tight(ursack?)

- Fewer clothes and less food make tent a viable option even with bear barrel

- Need a better large water redo input than the 2 1/2 gallon plastic jug, it had a bad plastic after taste.

- Make a bailor

Trip Notes (I am writing my thoughts 5 months after the fact, farther away from trip in time than Normal. It was a crazy busy time for this trip, but I am glad that I went. Audrey was recuperating from her broken hip only to have found out she had cancer in her jaw. Surgery was scheduled for October. Mackenzie’s college stuff was also taking a lot of time as well. I mention these things because I was wondering why it took me so long to sit down and write some thoughts about the trip, because my memory is a little fuzzy on things like what food did I actually bring, eat and enjoy etc...:

Drove up early Friday morning - First portage is long (480 rods?) but not horrible. It is part of what keeps that area a low traffic one. Meet one canoe of two guys duck hunting. They had stayed in the PMA area I think that is White Feather Lake (little lake to the east before getting to Stuart lake)

I really enjoyed the river travel on Stuart. I think this is when I did the “How Great Thou Art” recording on the river. (Could have also been my day trip)

Upon arriving at the lake on Stuart, checked out the closest island camp site. Looked good, but had time to paddle across the lake to the north west camp site. Liked that one even more. I used a tent instead of the hammock this time. Maybe because I had less food so more room ( I think I used my Granite Gear pack and don’t remember space being an issue. ) Maybe I put clothes in my daypack to make better use of space.

I’d decided to do more of a base camp/day trip, which may also be why the tent was used. With an additional day, I may have done a loop towards Agness, and through Boulder Bay on Lac La Croix, Dark, Rush, Fox and back to Stuart. In either case, having the tent to myself made it feel like I had lot of room. This also meant that I could unpack everything from my pack and keep it in the tent. I know I didn’t set up the tarp the first night, but eventually it was set up. The temperatures for the trip were quite comfortable. It was relatively cloudy (at least at night because I was not able to observe the lunar eclipse) I only remember having rain on the last evening.

I did bring my ipod and listened to Moby Dick. Also brought along the yellow radio from Audrey. I listened to a Twins game or two, some public radio stuff, and most memorably, the Vikings

Saturday - I travelled around the lake and enjoyed doing some fishing from shore and the canoe.

Bring Permit Letter Kawishiwi Ranger Station in Ely Contact Information: Address: 1393 MN-169, Ely, MN 55731 Phone:(218) 365-7561

St. Louis County Sherrif’s office Information: Address: 209 E Chapman St, Ely, MN 55731 Phone:(218) 726-2340

Route Plan: Maps: Voyageur Map 1, Fisher F16 (Purchase DONE), Option A: A 4 day loop up through LIS north to east loon, step lake, etc. aggressive route with a day for rest/layover in the middle.

Option B: Lake 29 entry where Mike Gronseth went in . Start at Ojibway enter BW at North Kawishiwi. Head SW to Gabro loop through that area back up NE.

Option C: Stuart lake EP 19 Travel to Stuart Lake on first day, likely spend all three nights at the same Campsite

Actual Route: Option C: Stuart lake EP 19 Travel to Stuart Lake on first day, likely spend all three nights at the same campsite

FOOD Plan Bring small container of olive oil to supplement evening meals, energy and flavor.

Dehydrate as much as possible

Days Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday Breakfast McDonalds Sausage biscuits and gravy Sausage biscuits and gravy Oatmeal

Supper Chilli (Dehydrated)- crackers Stew (Dehydrated)- crackers Chilli (Dehydrated) - crackers BK bacon cheeseburger

Food Comment. I think it worked well to only prepare breakfast and supper and then eat snacks as hungry. If I were going for a longer trip, maybe plan to bring a “lunch or two” in case there is a day when I just need more. Otherwise, good portions. Not as much left over food.

Try Sausage Biscuits and gravy mix from BWJ website

Breakfast Oatmeal 4 Instant Sausage, biscuits and gravy (Dehydrated Sausage, powdered country gravy, bisquick) Or check out Spam Scramble Hashbrowns, Durkee Fried Onions, Spam (Rehydrate Hashbrowns add oil and Fry in pan as a scramble (recipe also suggested adding cheese powder from mac-n-cheese meal) Bisquick for pancakes or biscuits, The Bisquick packets worked well. I think I used both for Sausage biscuits and gravy as well as with the beef stew.

SNACK BAG (Day Bag lunch has all snacks bars in Day Pack)

- Von Hansen’s Beef Jerky ½ lb. (Original Flavor) (Very Good but pricey)

- Dried Apples (Excellent. (Cin. Sugar sprinkle)

- Cranberry Gorp Mix

- Granola Bars (10)

- Drink Packets (30 at least 20 orange)

- Coffee, or Mackenzies Honey Lemon Ginsing with honey added.

GRANITE GEAR/MAIN PACK (Carabineers (2) and Liner) (DP = Day Pack)

- Sleeping Bag( Green fall bag, can always unzip and just lay it on top of me)

- Blue Bi Fold Crazy Creek Chair- nice for the back in camp

Toiletry Bag (Blue airline):

- Tooth Brush/Paste

- Floss

- Headlamp

- AAA Batteries, 2 AA batteries as well for radio

Clothes – Blue Stuff Sack or smaller white one from Dad. (IP = In Pack)

- Socks (3 wool)(IP 2 pr)

- Boxers (4), REI's exoficio boxers (IP 4 pr)

- Long Blue Underwear Top (1)/Bottom (1)

- Quick Dry T Shirts (Short 1, Long 2)

- Pants (1) - Kuhl , BWCA Shell Pants

- Blue raincoat and rain pants DP - Gloves (Wool Fingerless, Leather Work Gloves)

- Hats (Black Duluth, BWCA,Henschel)

- Shoes (2 Pair) (Danner Boots, Black Addidas)

- Blue Polar Fleece pullover

- Toying with getting some type of button down wool(ish) shirt in place of blue polar fleece maybe next time

- Black Polar Fleece Vest put in truck bring tbd

- Black/Grey Northface Jacket (or a wool or synthetic shirt to take it’s place)

- Black PolarTech Jacket (Bring in Car and see what weather report is like)

Equipment: blue or red compression sack

- blue 3-person tent

- Noah Rain Fly

- Rope (3 50' Sections)

- Tent stakes

Food: - Bear Barrel (Move to Equipment Pack) If food volume is low, think of items to put in here. Will the trangia stove fit through the top?

Mesh Cook Set Bag

- Trangia stove and pot set

- Stove

- 2 1 liter bowls

- teapot

- fryingpan/lid/plate

- pot holder (one review suggested having two. I think I have a second one.

- aluminum plate.

Utensil Roll

- Dish Soap (Dawn)

- Campsuds

- Red Spatula

- Black Spatula

- stainless spoon and fork

- 3M scrub sponge (1)

- Lexon Table Knife, Spoon, Fork

- Salt and Pepper shaker

- Metal Pot Holder

- Filet Knife

- Grohmann Belt Knife

- Multipurpose Knife Holder for Skeletool

Blue utensils bag for muddy shoes, keep rest of bag clean.

In Ziploc Bag # 2 (Catalog and pare this down put in front flap?)

- ½ roll paper towels (forgot it, missed it)

- small nylon sack with drawstring for putting a rock inside for throwing bear pack rope. should be large enough to fit bail sponge listed below. “fist sized”

Day Pack #1/BLUE GUIDE PACK:

- Sawyer Filter Bag

- Water bottles (2) (that is what the water filter bag produces)

- First Aid Kit (Front Pocket)

- Reading glasses

- Sun glasses

- Rain Gear bag (Main)

- Toilet Paper (Side Pocket)

- iPod with a couple good books / real book

- Matches

- Lunch/snack food

- Camera in black waterproof hard case

- SPOT

- Small Binoculars (used more than I expected)

- Fishing Rod

- Fishing Tackle

- Folding Saw

- hatchet

- Fish net

- Anchor bag

In Ziploc Bag # 1

- Parachute Cord

- Fire Dragon Blow Tube

- Hand Towel

- Duct Tape (On Pencil) ( cut pencil in half)

- Sewing Kit

- Matches

- Bungee Dealee Bobs

- Hand Wipes (clean toilet)

- Kleenex

- hand sanitizer

- space blanket

FIRST AID KIT

- Band-Aids

- Butterfly Band Aids

- 2 MaxiPads

- Advil/ Tylenol (Only items used from first aid kit. that = a fun safe trip)

- Sudafed

- Desatin

- Benadryl topical

- Benadryl Oral

- Needle & Thread

- Antiboitic Ointment (Neosporin/bacitracin)

- Tums

- Matches (1 Container)

MISC. Loose Gear

- Paddles(2)

- PFD (Emergency Kit Whistle, Antler Flint/Steel, Space Blanket, Compass)

- Map Case: Voyageur Maps, Permit (in plastic bag), Fisher maps in a plastic bag in Day pack as a backup set.

- Bailer

CLOTHES FOR THE RIDE HOME.

A friendly face on a portage

An ambitious mushroom

A reflective moment

Launching on the Stuart River

Making breakfast

Quiet morning

Stuart River

5:00 am - I wake up to light rain and decided to wait it out in the tent. Stayed in bed till about 6 am. The rain has now quit and blue skies are starting to show. I eat breakfast and pack up the camp. The nice trail to the pit toilet in the morning light warrants a photo. I stack a few small rocks I find on the rocky point into the shape of A SMALL BEAR. A LOON SWIMS nearby so I grab my camera and take a photo. I have camp packed up and kayak loaded by 8:00am and start the long paddle 2.3 mile paddle across Little Saganaga Lake. Still no sign of anyone else on this big lake.

P445 20 rods - Easy portage into a small pond.

P108 33 rods - Another easy portage, and it's starting to cloud over.

I'm now at Elton Lake. The rock cliffs along shore are beautiful, as is the entire lake. I make it to the far end of the lake to the next portage.

P485 59 rods - Muddy portage with a tree down on the trail. Mosquitoes are bad here too. Glad to get back to paddling.

10:15 am - Makwa Lake is stunning. The black and white striped cliffs are a sight to behold. I wish it wasn't cloudy but I get some nice pictures anyway. I also spot a loon as I paddle toward the portage and get a picture. My phone pings a cell tower briefly, but quickly loses the connectiON AND I'M UNABLE TO GEt a message out.

P505 40 rods P507 22 rods - Steep portage at start up to the top of the hill where beavers have a pond dammed up. P505 and P507 are combined. I get to the end of the portage and notice I have 1 bar of cell signal. I get a text message out to my fiancee to let her know I'm doing good and to let my parents know I'm okay since I haven't had cell service since Saturday morning. I paddle the small pond to the next portage.

P518 86 rods - 11:30am - The sun is starting to peak out. The portage is long and the loading area is quite muddy at the end of the portage. 12:05pm

P521 56 rods - I paddle to the south end of the lake to where my map indicates the portage should be. I paddle along the shore to the right a ways but don't see the portage. I paddle to the left into the inlet of a small stream but still don't notice a portage. I paddle back to the west and find what looks to be a portage at the very south tip of the lake. I unload my gear into my pack and start hiking the portage as this spot matched what my maps showed. I don't get far and the portage is very overgrown. There is no way I'm going to get my kayak through here as there is downed trees and everything is overgrown. I step through a deep creek as well and follow this very old portage. I finally reach Pan Lake and to my right I see the newer portage. Nice and wide and smooth. I drop my pack and one of my paddles and hike the good portage back to see where it comes out as I still need to get my kayak hauled down to Pan Lake. It comes out way on the southwest end of the lake. No wonder I didn't see it as it was tucked into a cove that wasn't visible from where I paddled from unless i hugged the west side of the lake. With paddle in hand, I hike along the dammed up edge of the lake to where my kayak is and paddle it to the good portage. I then easily portage the kayak to Pan Lake. What a big waste of time that mistake was in taking the old unused portage route at the start. It's almost 1:00pm now by the time I paddle Pan Lake. Pan Lake does have a nice dark sand beach to the south of the portage. I paddle southwest and I'm at the next portage in about 7 minutes.

P525 19 rods - I find the portage easily and hike my gear till I get to a deep stream. It's almost to my waist. It appears that the portage trail continues on, but is quite flooded. I hike a ways but it's muddy, flooded, and there's rotted remains of boardwalk that must have been part of the portage. I decide to turn back and cross the stream again and drop my pack and paddles and go back for the kayak. I get the kayak to the stream and load it up as I'll try to navigate through the tag alders into the small pond and maybe pickup the portage further to the southwest. It's tricky paddling a double-bladed paddle in tight quarters though the trees in the flooded pond, but I manage to make my way to where the next portage is.

P528 11 rods - The beavers have the pond damned up so high that it leave limited room to even unload for the portage. I decide to shoulder the kayak with all the gear and get it the 50 yards down the portage. Lots of weight to carry at once, but I manage. 1:50pm - The paddle across Anit Lake is short.

P532 19 rods - Portage is short and I'm now to Kivaniva Lake and it's another short paddle to the next portage.

P536 50 rods - Portage was a bit steep at the start but make it fine and take a picture of the purple butterflies that I keep seeing at the muddy spots on the portages.

3:00 pm - On the Kawishiwi River now. I paddle for a way and notice my iPhone that I'm using for GPS recording purposes is getting low on battery. I stop at the edge of the river and pull out my solar panel and put the phone in there hooked up to the panel in a waterproof map bag. I clip it onto the back of the deck of the kayak and paddle on. I reach my next portage at 3:40pm

P549 23 rods - I complete the portage and meet 3 guys in a canoe that are heading to the portage. First people I've seen since leaving Frost Lake a couple days ago. Spoke briefly with them and continued on. I hit river lake at about 4:20pm and should have taken the first island campsite there, but instead I continue on, wanting to possibly get to Alice lake yet today. The river is beautiful to paddle, but I get about a mile and a half further and am totally fatigued. I grab the campsite on the right which is C1036. It doesn't look used much and not the flattest spot for a tent, but it will have to do as it's about 5:00pm.

I setup camp and get supper made. Beef and bean burritos with cheese. My shredded cheese is a bit soft, but still good yet and goes great with the burritos. It hits the spot as all I had for lunch was a beef stick and a snickers bar.

I cleaned up camp, washed my hair, face, and arms. The bugs are horrible here. Staying in my tent as much as I can. It's about 7:45pm as I finish my journal entry. I'm going to bed early as I'm so wore out and my back is quite sore from the portaging.

Day 3 Summary

13.88 miles | 8 lakes, 3 ponds | 1 river | 12 portages | 438 rods

Little Saganaga Lake, pond, Elton Lake, Makwa Lake, pond, Panhandle Lake, Pan Lake, pond, Anit Lake, Kivaniva Lake, Kawishiwi River, River Lake, Kawishiwi River

5:00 am - I wake up to light rain and decided to wait it out in the tent. Stayed in bed till about 6 am. The rain has now quit and blue skies are starting to show. I eat breakfast and pack up the camp. The nice trail to the pit toilet in the morning light warrants a photo. I stack a few small rocks I find on the rocky point into the shape of a small bear. A loon swims nearby so I grab my camera and take a photo. I have camp packed up and kayak loaded by 8:00am and start the long paddle 2.3 mile paddle across Little Saganaga Lake. Still no sign of anyone else on this big lake.

P445 20 rods - Easy portage into a small pond.

P108 33 rods - Another easy portage, and it's starting to cloud over.

I'm now at Elton Lake. The rock cliffs along shore are beautiful, as is the entire lake. I make it to the far end of the lake to the next portage.

P485 59 rods - Muddy portage with a tree down on the trail. Mosquitoes are bad here too. Glad to get back to paddling.

10:15 am - Makwa Lake is stunning. The black and white striped cliffs are a sight to behold. I wish it wasn't cloudy but I get some nice pictures anyway. I also spot a loon as I paddle toward the portage and get a picture. My phone pings a cell tower briefly, but quickly loses the connection and I'm unable to get a message out.

P505 40 rods P507 22 rods - Steep portage at start up to the top of the hill where beavers have a pond dammed up. P505 and P507 are combined. I get to the end of the portage and notice I have 1 bar of cell signal. I get a text message out to my fiancee to let her know I'm doing good and to let my parents know I'm okay since I haven't had cell service since Saturday morning. I paddle the small pond to the next portage.

P518 86 rods - 11:30am - The sun is starting to peak out. The portage is long and the loading area is quite muddy at the end of the portage. 12:05pm

P521 56 rods - I paddle to the south end of the lake to where my map indicates the portage should be. I paddle along the shore to the right a ways but don't see the portage. I paddle to the left into the inlet of a small stream but still don't notice a portage. I paddle back to the west and find what looks to be a portage at the very south tip of the lake. I unload my gear into my pack and start hiking the portage as this spot matched what my maps showed. I don't get far and the portage is very overgrown. There is no way I'm going to get my kayak through here as there is downed trees and everything is overgrown. I step through a deep creek as well and follow this very old portage. I finally reach Pan Lake and to my right I see the newer portage. Nice and wide and smooth. I drop my pack and one of my paddles and hike the good portage back to see where it comes out as I still need to get my kayak hauled down to Pan Lake. It comes out way on the southwest end of the lake. No wonder I didn't see it as it was tucked into a cove that wasn't visible from where I paddled from unless i hugged the west side of the lake. With paddle in hand, I hike along the dammed up edge of the lake to where my kayak is and paddle it to the good portage. I then easily portage the kayak to Pan Lake. What a big waste of time that mistake was in taking the old unused portage route at the start. It's almost 1:00pm now by the time I paddle Pan Lake. Pan Lake does have a nice dark sand beach to the south of the portage. I paddle southwest and I'm at the next portage in about 7 minutes.

P525 19 rods - I find the portage easily and hike my gear till I get to a deep stream. It's almost to my waist. It appears that the portage trail continues on, but is quite flooded. I hike a ways but it's muddy, flooded, and there's rotted remains of boardwalk that must have been part of the portage. I decide to turn back and cross the stream again and drop my pack and paddles and go back for the kayak. I get the kayak to the stream and load it up as I'll try to navigate through the tag alders into the small pond and maybe pickup the portage further to the southwest. It's tricky paddling a double-bladed paddle in tight quarters though the trees in the flooded pond, but I manage to make my way to where the next portage is.

P528 11 rods - The beavers have the pond damned up so high that it leave limited room to even unload for the portage. I decide to shoulder the kayak with all the gear and get it the 50 yards down the portage. Lots of weight to carry at once, but I manage. 1:50pm - The paddle across Anit Lake is short.

P532 19 rods - Portage is short and I'm now to Kivaniva Lake and it's another short paddle to the next portage.

P536 50 rods - Portage was a bit steep at the start but make it fine and take a picture of the purple butterflies that I keep seeing at the muddy spots on the portages.

3:00 pm - On the Kawishiwi River now. I paddle for a way and notice my iPhone that I'm using for GPS recording purposes is getting low on battery. I stop at the edge of the river and pull out my solar panel and put the phone in there hooked up to the panel in a waterproof map bag. I clip it onto the back of the deck of the kayak and paddle on. I reach my next portage at 3:40pm

P549 23 rods - I complete the portage and meet 3 guys in a canoe that are heading to the portage. First people I've seen since leaving Frost Lake a couple days ago. Spoke briefly with them and continued on. I hit river lake at about 4:20pm and should have taken the first island campsite there, but instead I continue on, wanting to possibly get to Alice lake yet today. The river is beautiful to paddle, but I get about a mile and a half further and am totally fatigued. I grab the campsite on the right which is C1036. It doesn't look used much and not the flattest spot for a tent, but it will have to do as it's about 5:00pm.

I setup camp and get supper made. Beef and bean burritos with cheese. My shredded cheese is a bit soft, but still good yet and goes great with the burritos. It hits the spot as all I had for lunch was a beef stick and a snickers bar.

I cleaned up camp, washed my hair, face, and arms. The bugs are horrible here. Staying in my tent as much as I can. It's about 7:45pm as I finish my journal entry. I'm going to bed early as I'm so wore out and my back is quite sore from the portaging.

Day 3 Summary

13.88 miles | 8 lakes, 3 ponds | 1 river | 12 portages | 438 rods

Little Saganaga Lake, pond, Elton Lake, Makwa Lake, pond, Panhandle Lake, Pan Lake, pond, Anit Lake, Kivaniva Lake, Kawishiwi River, River Lake, Kawishiwi River

6:00am - Clear skies. I got up and attempted to hike to Elk Lake but the terrain was tough. Lots of burnt and blown down trees. After getting half way there I head back to camp. As I get near camp my phone pings a cell tower. I get another message out to my fiancee to let her know my location and that I'm doing good yet. I get back to camp and the signal is lost. That's the last time I get cell signal for the rest of the trip. When I get to camp I eat breakfast and pack up. I decide to wear my long sleeve shirt for the next couple days. After 4 days of being in the sun all day without any sunscreen, my arms are on the edge of burning. They haven't had adequate time to adjust after the long winter we had. I leave camp at 8:30am

P423 11 rods - A short downhill portage with a stone staircase takes me to Strup Lake. The paddle across Strup Lake was peaceful in the calm morning sun.

P412 86 rods - A long fairly flat portage till the end where it went steeply downhill with a rocky staircase. I passed the intersection of the Kekekabic Trail on this portage.

9:30am - Kekekabic Lake is spectacular. Awesome rock cliffs, clear water, and lots of islands. The Kekekabic ranger cabin on the way, so I make a quick stop here.

Then I continued on to the Kek ponds. The short portages are small ponds are time consuming. It feels like I get 2 paddle strokes in and I'm across the pond. Then unloading gear only to walk about 50 yards and then load up again.

P738 7 rods - Small pond.

P737 9 rods - Pond.

P345 21 rods - Small pond.

P342 5 rods - Pulled over the beaver dam and into the last pond. I come across 8 guys in 4 canoes and have to wait briefly for them to clear the next portage around noon.

P336 12 rods - Short 12 rod portage into Eddy lake. I head toward P333 to check out Eddy Falls. Upon reaching the portage, I park my kayak and grab my camera to get some pictures.

I take some at the top and near the bottom of the falls. Eddy Falls is quite powerful.

Upon returning to my kayak, I meet a group of 4 boys from Minnesota with their camp leader. We chat briefly and then I paddle back across Eddy Lake to my next portage.

P338 20 rods - Uphill portage into Jenny Lake.

P352 18 rods - Another short portage to Annie Lake.

P064 16 rods - Portaged into Ogishkemuncie Lake. Ogish was a very long paddle. Over 3 1/2 miles to get to the other end. Towards the end I start to get into the Cavity Lake Fire area. Can see a lot of exposed domed rock due to the fire. Not as pretty here.

P319 34 rods - Portage into Kingfisher Lake. It is 3:30pm. No campsites here so I have to continue on. The wind is really starting to pick up.

P315 30 rods - Portage into Jasper Lake. The wind has picked up strong from the south and is making big waves on the lake. I decide to take the first campsite (C0801) since it is 4:00pm. The site is quite nice and the wind is keeping the bugs at bay. I setup camp and make supper. Tuna salad on tortillas with cheese. Easy to make and I didn't have to cook. I realize I've packed way too much food. I have way over half of it left and this will be my last night here. I set out my solar charger and charge battery packs for my camera and charge my phone. Also set out my shoes to dry in the sun. a> 6:30pm - Still quite windy. I can't wait to get home. It's been a great trip, but I miss my fiancee. Only 2, maybe 3 portages left for the trip. 7:00pm - A big flock of geese fly north overhead. I read a book for a couple hours and get to sleep around 9:00pm. I wake up at about 1:00am and take some pictures of the stars. useaction=photos.display&img=NLONG%2D090%3C%2FA%3E115%2D212941%2EJPG&name=TripReport">2D212941%2EJPG&name=TripReport">

Day 5 Summary

14.23 miles | 13 lakes | 12 portages | 276 rods

Wisini Lake, Strup Lake, Kekekabic Lake, Kekkekabic ponds x 4, Eddy Lake, Jenny Lake, Annie Lake, Ogishkemuncie Lake, Kingfisher Lake, Jasper Lake

6:00am - Clear skies. I got up and attempted to hike to Elk Lake but the terrain was tough. Lots of burnt and blown down trees. After getting half way there I head back to camp. As I get near camp my phone pings a cell tower. I get another message out to my fiancee to let her know my location and that I'm doing good yet. I get back to camp and the signal is lost. That's the last time I get cell signal for the rest of the trip. When I get to camp I eat breakfast and pack up. I decide to wear my long sleeve shirt for the next couple days. After 4 days of being in the sun all day without any sunscreen, my arms are on the edge of burning. They haven't had adequate time to adjust after the long winter we had. I leave camp at 8:30am

P423 11 rods - A short downhill portage with a stone staircase takes me to Strup Lake. The paddle across Strup Lake was peaceful in the calm morning sun.

P412 86 rods - A long fairly flat portage till the end where it went steeply downhill with a rocky staircase. I passed the intersection of the Kekekabic Trail on this portage.

9:30am - Kekekabic Lake is spectacular. Awesome rock cliffs, clear water, and lots of islands. The Kekekabic ranger cabin on the way, so I make a quick stop here.

Then I continued on to the Kek ponds. The short portages are small ponds are time consuming. It feels like I get 2 paddle strokes in and I'm across the pond. Then unloading gear only to walk about 50 yards and then load up again.

P738 7 rods - Small pond.

P737 9 rods - Pond.

P345 21 rods - Small pond.

P342 5 rods - Pulled over the beaver dam and into the last pond. I come across 8 guys in 4 canoes and have to wait briefly for them to clear the next portage around noon.

P336 12 rods - Short 12 rod portage into Eddy lake. I head toward P333 to check out Eddy Falls. Upon reaching the portage, I park my kayak and grab my camera to get some pictures.

I take some at the top and near the bottom of the falls. Eddy Falls is quite powerful.

Upon returning to my kayak, I meet a group of 4 boys from Minnesota with their camp leader. We chat briefly and then I paddle back across Eddy Lake to my next portage.

P338 20 rods - Uphill portage into Jenny Lake.

P352 18 rods - Another short portage to Annie Lake.

P064 16 rods - Portaged into Ogishkemuncie Lake. Ogish was a very long paddle. Over 3 1/2 miles to get to the other end. Towards the end I start to get into the Cavity Lake Fire area. Can see a lot of exposed domed rock due to the fire. Not as pretty here.

P319 34 rods - Portage into Kingfisher Lake. It is 3:30pm. No campsites here so I have to continue on. The wind is really starting to pick up.

P315 30 rods - Portage into Jasper Lake. The wind has picked up strong from the south and is making big waves on the lake. I decide to take the first campsite (C0801) since it is 4:00pm. The site is quite nice and the wind is keeping the bugs at bay. I setup camp and make supper. Tuna salad on tortillas with cheese. Easy to make and I didn't have to cook. I realize I've packed way too much food. I have way over half of it left and this will be my last night here. I set out my solar charger and charge battery packs for my camera and charge my phone. Also set out my shoes to dry in the sun. 6:30pm - Still quite windy. I can't wait to get home. It's been a great trip, but I miss my fiancee. Only 2, maybe 3 portages left for the trip. 7:00pm - A big flock of geese fly north overhead. I read a book for a couple hours and get to sleep around 9:00pm. I wake up at about 1:00am and take some pictures of the stars.

Day 5 Summary

14.23 miles | 13 lakes | 12 portages | 276 rods

Wisini Lake, Strup Lake, Kekekabic Lake, Kekkekabic ponds x 4, Eddy Lake, Jenny Lake, Annie Lake, Ogishkemuncie Lake, Kingfisher Lake, Jasper Lake

6:30am - Looks like a calm morning. I eat breakfast and pack up camp and hit the water at 8am.

P314 38 rods - The portage to Alpine Lake followed some powerful rapids. I paddle across Alpine Lake and take the first portage to Seagull Lake

P308 101 rods - I see an older couple doing a double portage with their canoe. Plenty of room at the landing so I pull in my kayak and start my portage. I chat with them for a while and find out they are from Fort Wayne, IN.

It's about 9:30am when I start the long paddle across Seagull Lake, nearly 6 miles. The rocky islands are picture worthy and I snap a few shots along the way.

I reach Seagull Outfitters at about 10:50am. I get my kayak and gear loaded up and chat with the outfitters for a while. I leave the outfitters and head south on the Gunflint trail to the Magnetic Rock Trail, part of the Border Route Trail.

Once I reach the trailhead, I grab a water bottle and camera and start the 3 mile round trip hike to the Magnetic Rock. This area is burnt from the Ham Lake Fire of '07, but it is still quite beautiful with the multi-colored rocks everywhere. I reach the Magnetic Rock and it looks totally out of place. This tall rock just standing upright on the top of a hill looks like a giant placed it there. It's a 60-foot tall glacial erratic.

I finish my hike and start the long drive back home. I can't wait to plan another trip up here again.

Day 6 Summary

8.78 miles | 3 lakes | 2 portages | 139 rods

Jasper Lake, Alpine Lake, Seagull Lake

Also a 3 mile hike on the Magnetic Rock Trail.

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Total Trip Summary

72.98 miles | 50 lakes and ponds | 4 rivers | 54 portages | 2122 rods (double portaged for a total of 19.9 miles of traversing portage trails)