Wednesday May 7th

We get up ready to start our travel day toward Thunder, Gull or Gun. We get our portage clearing tools ready for action and get packed and on the water. We know the first part of travel today along the Beartrap River will be the hardest. It is a beautiful morning and is already starting to warm up as we get into the canoe. We have reached that point in the trip where everything is becoming routine and packing, loading and moving are second nature.

Crossing Sunday Lake it is easy to see where the Beartrap River enters the lake. There is a wide delta like area with lots of grass. You just have to find the channel. The river starts out here narrow and twisty which requires some steering by both paddlers plus we are going into a stiff current which can easily push you into trees and shore if you overcorrect. Even so the paddle is enjoyable and we paddle quietly hoping to see wildlife.

After a while the river becomes a series of rocky rapids, beaver dams and white water requiring numerous portages through some pretty tough terrain. The area had burned sometime ago and there is lots of evidence of the fire in the charred tree trunks. The numerous portages and warmer temps are taking their toll and we are tiring. Thankfully the river is coming to an end and we hope we can skip the last portage into Beartrap due to the higher water levels.

We finally arrive at the spot where the river heads east toward Beartrap Lake and we find out that skipping the portage is not possible. The river widens and goes every which way where it is coming in from a lengthy set of rapids and small falls. Guess we get out and walk. We land the canoe and start the 300 rod portage to Beartrap Lake.

This is a very rugged portage with some deadfall but an easily followed trail. Seeing it is the start of the PMA area we should not clear it so it remains a tough portage. The portage takes a lot out of us so we decide to have lunch at the far end knowing we probably would see no one. Regardless we stash our gear in the woods and get off the trail somewhat to eat our lunch just in case someone comes by.

After lunch we are off onto Beartrap Lake and then head across the short portage into Thunder Lake.

Thunder is a pretty lake that seems to be calling to us to stop here. We are more tired than we expect, maybe due to the heat, maybe the difficulty of the Beartrap River and the portage into Beartrap and maybe the day before catching up with us. Whatever the reason we have time in our schedule and decide to stop here for the night. We first paddle past the campsite on the western shore and decide to check out the site further south to see if it is nicer. The site further south is partially under water and tent pads have puddles so we decide to go back to the first site we passed. We decide to drop our gear and head over to clear Thunder to Mudhole and Mudhole to Gull portages so we won't have to in the morning. There are a couple of trees to cut and lots of nipping so it takes a little time. Afterwards we head back to camp and set up our tents and get ready for the evening.

This site on Thunder has nice views but is not real big. There are spots for a couple of tents, but it would be hard for a bigger group. The fire grate is very near to the water and not much room for a kitchen but seeing there are only the two of us it works. Joe and I are not real picky when it comes to sites but we do appreciate the nice ones.

It is warm enough that both of us do some laundry and bathe. We had taken some shore baths before during the trip, but this is a thorough cleansing and it feels really good. We relax and walk the site and read in the afternoon. Dinner is spaghetti and it tastes great. We have some pudding for dessert. A couple of nightcaps and it is bed time. Bed feels really good tonight.

We are feeling good about where we are and talk about getting to Moosecamp Lake tomorrow for our final night. We know starting tomorrow it is getting close to fishing opener weekend so our string of not seeing others may come to an end. We have had a great trip so far with good weather, not too hot, not too cold and limited rain and snow. We have been safe and the wind has never been a big problem. Outside of frigid water temperatures the trip has been perfect. We hope it continues that way.