New Trip Report posted by TuscaroraBorealis

Trip Name: Ironing out the wrinkles in my soul.

Entry Point: 84

Click Here to View Trip Report

For those that would like more information about the route into Judd Lake check out the awesome trip report by tg from last fall.

Exceptional report, TB. You noted that we don't realize the good we create in the world often by small and simple means...your detailed and descriptive trip reports inspire me. I appreciated your spiritual journey to iron out the wrinkles in your soul with the touching tribute to your friend Dicecupmaker and the related experience with the eagle.

Thank you for sharing the photos too. It's great to see areas I want to visit and your reports do an excellent job of helping me plan! Favorite photo from this report: I liked the tinfoil dinner on the fire grate next to the water...I'd like to visit that same site someday.

Love the list of lakes by year on the inside of the Black Pearl!

Watched the portage video, on double speed :), and left a like. Would make for an interesting walk when it's all grown in!

Again, TB, I've never met you but I sure appreciate you sharing your experiences in canoe country, especially your perspective, wisdom, and convictions.

Another great report, TB, this one of an area where we never did travel. Thanks for your descriptive writing and your wonderful photos--but mainly, thanks for just being you. Your way of making a trip report inspiring and touching for the spirit as well as the mind is just unmatched! I don't read every trip report on this site, but I try to never miss one of yours!

Enjoyed the tribute to Dicecupmaker. We are fortunate to have several of his leather works on display in our home. I received the one I use as a pencil holder when I earned my "bear paw", and it has set on my computer desk every day since the day it arrived. Then Mitch made us a set of "Spartan" items in exchange for a GPS unit I had for sale. They are on a shelf above Spartan1's computer desk: two beer can holders with the Spartan Helmet logo as well as a flying moose, and also a real dice cup--with dice! These are very special treasures in our home.

Great trip report as usual. The Snake is an odd entry point as it is just so narrow for that first stretch. As you made mention, there is what appears to be a portage all the way around it. I walked some of it from the north when I visited as there is a pretty decent landing on it. It seemed to me to be an extension of the old road grade and someone just had opened it back up? In any case, it gets a person around the narrow stretch which can be nice in low water.

I've been wanting to get up and see that loop of lakes north of Bald Eagle. I'll get there eventually since I still need to cross Little Gabrro off as an EP.

Great trip report, and thanks for sharing.

YetiJedi: "Exceptional report, TB. You noted that we don't realize the good we create in the world often by small and simple means...your detailed and descriptive trip reports inspire me. I appreciated your spiritual journey to iron out the wrinkles in your soul with the touching tribute to your friend Dicecupmaker and the related experience with the eagle.

Thank you for sharing the photos too. It's great to see areas I want to visit and your reports do an excellent job of helping me plan! Favorite photo from this report: I liked the tinfoil dinner on the fire grate next to the water...I'd like to visit that same site someday.

Love the list of lakes by year on the inside of the Black Pearl!

Watched the portage video, on double speed :), and left a like. Would make for an interesting walk when it's all grown in!

Again, TB, I've never met you but I sure appreciate you sharing your experiences in canoe country, especially your perspective, wisdom, and convictions."

You're welcome & thank you.

I've enjoyed getting to know you (at least a little) through bwca.com and hope it works out where we can meet in person one day soon. Looking forward to reading your upcoming trip reports as well.

Spartan2: "Another great report, TB, this one of an area where we never did travel. Thanks for your descriptive writing and your wonderful photos--but mainly, thanks for just being you. Your way of making a trip report inspiring and touching for the spirit as well as the mind is just unmatched! I don't read every trip report on this site, but I try to never miss one of yours!


Enjoyed the tribute to Dicecupmaker. We are fortunate to have several of his leather works on display in our home. I received the one I use as a pencil holder when I earned my "bear paw", and it has set on my computer desk every day since the day it arrived. Then Mitch made us a set of "Spartan" items in exchange for a GPS unit I had for sale. They are on a shelf above Spartan1's computer desk: two beer can holders with the Spartan Helmet logo as well as a flying moose, and also a real dice cup--with dice! These are very special treasures in our home.






"

Lynda,

Thank you so much for your charitable comments and for sharing some of the Leatherwork Mitch did for you as well. His legacy definitely lives on.

TreeBear: "Great trip report as usual. The Snake is an odd entry point as it is just so narrow for that first stretch. As you made mention, there is what appears to be a portage all the way around it. I walked some of it from the north when I visited as there is a pretty decent landing on it. It seemed to me to be an extension of the old road grade and someone just had opened it back up? In any case, it gets a person around the narrow stretch which can be nice in low water.


I've been wanting to get up and see that loop of lakes north of Bald Eagle. I'll get there eventually since I still need to cross Little Gabrro off as an EP.


Great trip report, and thanks for sharing."

Thank you Riley!

I had unwittingly hiked a good portion of this trail from the EP a few springs back but, I didn't make it all the way to the river. I'd like to go back and check out the complete trail. I agree with your assessment, it did look like an old road that was just opened up again. As you mention, I think it will make this EP more desirible/assessable during the summer.

...I didn't think there was a maintained route you hadn't been on yet? :)

Reading your soul-stirring & beautifully written account has ironed out the wrinkles in my soul today! You’re a magnificent writer & had me feeling like I was right there, picturing the bald eagle, which Dicecupmaker Mitch would most certainly wish to be identified as & stated as much in his final writings. I’m grateful, humbled, in awe of, & just downright happy about your tribute to him on your 3 day canoe trip, the entire account of which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I can’t stop smiling about it & I enjoyed all the pictures including those posted by others in response. Thank you!

CarolynS,

You are most welcome & am so grateful that you enjoyed it.

Thank you for such a personal trip report.

My first three trips to the Boundary Waters back in the 90's I spent multiple nights on Pietro. In 2011 I was headed to Pietro from Little Gabbro with my family and was turned around at the portage by Forest Service employees due to the fire. I have never had the heart to go back into this beloved area after the two fires traveled through. Your pictures are the first ones I have studied since the fires. I think in 2024 I need to revisit the area that I fell in love with on my first three trips.

thanks again
dd

TuscaroraBorealis: "

YetiJedi: "Exceptional report, TB. You noted that we don't realize the good we create in the world often by small and simple means...your detailed and descriptive trip reports inspire me. I appreciated your spiritual journey to iron out the wrinkles in your soul with the touching tribute to your friend Dicecupmaker and the related experience with the eagle.



Thank you for sharing the photos too. It's great to see areas I want to visit and your reports do an excellent job of helping me plan! Favorite photo from this report: I liked the tinfoil dinner on the fire grate next to the water...I'd like to visit that same site someday.



Love the list of lakes by year on the inside of the Black Pearl!



Watched the portage video, on double speed :), and left a like. Would make for an interesting walk when it's all grown in!



Again, TB, I've never met you but I sure appreciate you sharing your experiences in canoe country, especially your perspective, wisdom, and convictions.



"

Your welcome & Thank you.


I've enjoyed getting to know you (at least a little) through bwca.com and hope it works out where we can meet in person one day soon. Looking forward to reading your upcoming trip reports as well."

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting each of you in person and you are both top notch human beings and would get along very well. I hope to run into each of you again sometime.

I need to get some sleep as we are taking off at 3:00 am for the 14 hour drive to Bozeman. I look forward to reading this trip report during my wife’s turn to drive. Your trip reports never disappoint, so I am definitely looking forward to it.

Once again TB writes an amazing trip report. Thank you for sharing and for the tribute to Mitch.

Thanks for another amazing trip report. I also find my trips into the BWCA as spiritual in a way. But mostly they are healing, as the trip progresses, my body gets stronger and I am able to keep my blood sugars in the normal range!
I had never thought of trips to pay tribute to someone, but your report really touches me as I am curious of the history of the BWCA, but have never thought of a trip to look back or pay tribute. Maybe I am young enough to still look forward.
So, what I am trying to say is "thank you" for giving me a perspective that I can consider as I head to Lac La Croix for 9 days going in on LISN June 15th. Part of going to the BWCA is to get away from the internet and just being part of the wilderness. However, this form and website are a positive & "I get it"
Keep the trip reports coming!