I have been meaning to post this for quite some time but have been too lazy. Preparing for our next trip reminded me how much other’s trip reports have helped me in the past so my guilt has outweighed my procrastination. This is my first report so I’ll do the best I can and try not to be too long winded. We had a group of 5, two adults and 3 boys (13) with two canoes rented from La Tourells, I already had most of the other equipment so we just needed a bunk, and tow, a couple more packs, and the Wenonah’s. After arriving from Atlanta in Ely around 5 we had much left to purchase at the grocery store and tackle shop and then had to get to LT, grab the other packs and get ourselves organized. Didn’t get it all done until very late. (We’ll learn this year and get up there earlier)

Perfect weather, no wind, quite warm. Towed out to Prairie, paid for out permits, and then onto Back Bay portage right on time. Paddled out from the portage around 11 and arrived at the Basswood Falls portage around lunch. Grabbed a quick snack at the start and then began the first real portage of the trip. The boys and the other Dad had never been up here before and didn’t know quite what to expect. Although easy, this portage is quite long and gave the group a real idea of what this area is all about. They were tired and hot but extremely proud and I could tell enormously excited about what lay ahead. We continued on up the river and began looking for campsites as it was approaching 2 and we wanted an early camp since we had a big fresh dinner waiting. It was very crowded, with most campsites already occupied and a couple of solo paddlers coming up the river asking if we had seen any open. I knew this area would be heavily travelled but did not expect this many people. Nonetheless we made camp at a small but suitable site, ate dinner, enjoyed the stars and perfect weather, and hit the sack. (There was an enormous rabbit at this site that would literally come up and sit beside you looking for food as if a dog)