First timers - Lady Lakes Chain
by kac7700
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
07/19/2009
Entry Point:
Kawishiwi Lake (EP 37)
Exit Point:
Sawbill Lake (EP 38)
Number of Days:
4
Group Size:
2
Discuss Trip:
View Discussion Thread (5 messages)
Day 4 of 4
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 The rain stopped at about 5 a.m. and when we got up at 5:30 it was calm, and the skies were clearing. We wanted to be on the water by 7 a.m. and finish the rest of the journey, but we were having so much fun at camp with great weather, and beautiful sunrise where the sun started to evaporate the water off the trees creating a mist rising up through the trees. 
We decided to have a few more cups of coffee and enjoy the morning. Our packs were way too heavy to begin with, causing us to have to double portage, which we didn't want to do. With everything wet, it managed to add even more weight, so whatever weight we ate, was replaced with water. We couldn't get a break from that. We were starting to get anxious to get back to Sawbill and be done with the packs. We managed to get on the water by 9 a.m. and enjoyed sunshine and clear skies for a while.
We tackled our last river of the trip and pounded out the four portages along the river between Phoebe Lake and Grace Lake. We celebrated after our last 15 rod portage of the river! We launched into Grace Lake and saw people for the first time since Monday. We were rather shocked that we didn't encounter anyone from the time we left Polly until we headed across Grace towards our biggest portage (285 rods.) We thought with double portaging this portage would take us 1.5 hours. We timed ourselves and were rather impressed that we pounded it out in 17 minutes one way. Even with double portaging, we made the whole thing in just under an hour. However, along the portage trail, we had to continually pass a fatally injured woodpecker laying in the trail. It was still alive but unable to move. I couldn't bring myself to photograph it and every time I passed, wished it would have finally died, but it was still alive with each pass.
We entered into Beth Lake and enjoyed an quiet paddle across the lake. The storm clouds were building during our portage, but luckily we never encountered anything too severe. As we crossed the lake, we watched a bald eagle hunting. It started to rain as we reached the portage landing on the east end of Beth Lake. We did the 140 rod portage into Alton Lake and took a break before crossing the largest body of water we had on this trip. The water was very calm, but when we were ready to head out the wind picked up as the front moved through. We only brought one map, so we had to rely on the GPS to find the portage into Sawbill. When we reached the portage and could see the lake through the trees, we couldn't believe our good fortune! I kept reminding Dane that this day was about the journey, not the destination and it really didn't matter what time we rolled into the landing at Sawbill Lake. We got in the water at Sawbill and enjoyed blue skies, warm weather, and light winds all the way back.
We dropped the canoe off at the outfitter, enjoyed an ice cold beer, and headed out to find a hotel room with a hot tub!
We learned a lot on this trip, and cannot wait to do it again, but very differently. The packs we borrowed were difficult to carry, and just because it fits in there doesn't mean you need to bring it with! Next time, we'll pack like we do for backpacking trips. If we could make those portages easier on our bodies, we wouldn't have been anxious to leave that beautiful, peaceful place.
We tackled our last river of the trip and pounded out the four portages along the river between Phoebe Lake and Grace Lake. We celebrated after our last 15 rod portage of the river! We launched into Grace Lake and saw people for the first time since Monday. We were rather shocked that we didn't encounter anyone from the time we left Polly until we headed across Grace towards our biggest portage (285 rods.) We thought with double portaging this portage would take us 1.5 hours. We timed ourselves and were rather impressed that we pounded it out in 17 minutes one way. Even with double portaging, we made the whole thing in just under an hour. However, along the portage trail, we had to continually pass a fatally injured woodpecker laying in the trail. It was still alive but unable to move. I couldn't bring myself to photograph it and every time I passed, wished it would have finally died, but it was still alive with each pass.
We entered into Beth Lake and enjoyed an quiet paddle across the lake. The storm clouds were building during our portage, but luckily we never encountered anything too severe. As we crossed the lake, we watched a bald eagle hunting. It started to rain as we reached the portage landing on the east end of Beth Lake. We did the 140 rod portage into Alton Lake and took a break before crossing the largest body of water we had on this trip. The water was very calm, but when we were ready to head out the wind picked up as the front moved through. We only brought one map, so we had to rely on the GPS to find the portage into Sawbill. When we reached the portage and could see the lake through the trees, we couldn't believe our good fortune! I kept reminding Dane that this day was about the journey, not the destination and it really didn't matter what time we rolled into the landing at Sawbill Lake. We got in the water at Sawbill and enjoyed blue skies, warm weather, and light winds all the way back.
We dropped the canoe off at the outfitter, enjoyed an ice cold beer, and headed out to find a hotel room with a hot tub!
We learned a lot on this trip, and cannot wait to do it again, but very differently. The packs we borrowed were difficult to carry, and just because it fits in there doesn't mean you need to bring it with! Next time, we'll pack like we do for backpacking trips. If we could make those portages easier on our bodies, we wouldn't have been anxious to leave that beautiful, peaceful place.
Donate - BWCA.com