It was cold last night. I was OK but right on the verge even wearing my watch cap, long johns and wool socks. I got up at 6:30.

Jim and I had our typical oatmeal and cocoa breakfast. We left camp for our day trip at 9:00. The first thing was to check out the third campsite on Canoe Lake. It wasn’t very good. If you camp on Canoe, shoot for one of the first two sites.

Next was to visit Johnson Falls on the west end of Pine Lake. Pine was one portage from canoe … the infamous Canoe to Pine Portage. Fortunately you can walk to the falls from the end of the portage; therefore, portaging the canoes would not be required. We got to the portage at 10:00 and took only our daypacks.

We knew the water levels were high. We figured at least two feet high based on our observations of the shoreline. It was very apparent on the trial to Johnson Falls. Normally the trail runs roughly along side the creek but now the trail was submerged. The water was up near the tops of my Chotas and we additionally had to do some bushwhacking to avoid the really deep stuff.

The real indications of the very high water were the two falls themselves and the water rushing between them.

We spent some time at the falls having lunch, watching the water, relaxing, etc. Spotted a pine marten. We have also seen geese, loons, assorted ducks, an eagle, and many small birds.

Even with all this, we were back to camp by 2:00. The weather turned cold and windy.

Supper was red beans and rice with hamburger. Rain started at 7:45. Bed at 9:00 pm.