Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Homer Lake '07
by Airrick13

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 07/21/2007
Entry & Exit Point: Homer Lake (EP 40)
Number of Days: 3
Group Size: 3
Trip Introduction:
Myself, My wife, and my little sister wanted to give the boundary Waters a try, and after this experience we are all hooked.
Day 1 of 3
Saturday, July 21, 2007 We stayed Thursday night in Superior, WI., so we only had about a two hour drive to our entry point. The advantage of Entry point 40 is that you don't have to start with a portage. Unload your truck, load you canoe and you are off. The paddle across large Homer Lake was by far the most dull part of the trip. about half way across the lake there are slightly submerged boulders that you need to watch out for. The wind and fire damage around this part of the BWCAW is substantial, so much of the lake edge seams very barin. We had our first portage experience from Homer Lake into Whack Lake. The trail was moderately well maintained. From Whack Lake after a detour and backtrack do to miss reading the shoreline and map we portaged to Vern Lake. Vern Lake was by far the most scenic location. The long narrow lake seemed to have been missed by much of the blowdown of '99. Our first night's camp site was on the west shore on Vern Lake. The sloped rock beach made it easy to park and unload our canoe. The campsite was very clean, and the fire pit was bordered by log benches that over look the lake. We had one large tent, and that was all that would fit at this campsite. One could put two very small tents if necessary. After a little fishing and giving the thick mosquitoes and dinner snack we called it a night.