Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Mooseplums and Mr. Barley's 25th Anniversary Canoe Trip
by mooseplums

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 05/15/2010
Entry Point: Missing Link Lake (EP 51)
Exit Point: Brant Lake (EP 52)  
Number of Days: 7
Group Size: 2
Day 2 of 7
Sunday, May 16, 2010 We woke up about 6:30 am, and headed out to try to catch some fish, but they weren't cooperating, so we headed in for breakfast. Bacon and eggs, were on the menu. There is something special about the smell of bacon in the woods, and it tastes really good too. We broke down camp, and packed up our gear, and headed for Owl Lake. Owl is a pretty little lake, and it was smooth as glass when we crossed it. We were there a couple of years ago, and we remarked on that the last time we crossed it, it was in the driving rain. We portaged into Crooked lake, a 55 rod carry, and pretty easy. The sore leg is still giving me fits, so I triple portaged it. Near the end of the portage there was a spot that must see very little sun, because along the trail there was a huge, thick sheet of ice. Crooked Lake is a nice lake, with lots of evidence of the fire that swept through the area, a few years before. The portage into Tarry was a new experience for us, we never portaged through a burn area before. The Crooked side of the portage was almost free of vegetation, but the Tarry side was all cedars, green and untouched by fire. Tarry lake was much the same as Crooked, burned. The 10 rd portage from Tarry to Mora was a nice break. The Mora side of the portage had a nice sandy landing, with evidence of an old dock, as many in the area have. Mora was a nice lake, lots of cedars, not many rock outcroppings, but there were a few nice ones. The Portage into Little Saganaga was one of the highlight of the trip for me. The scenery is absolutely beautiful, and the trail is easy, and then drops quickly at the other end. Little Saganaga, has been a favorite of mine, since I first saw it 15 years ago on a loop through the area with my son. It was a welcome sight to see it again. We spent a bit of time on the south side of the lake looking for the USFS Ranger cabin, but had no luck, so we headed off to find a site. We found a great site on a long skinny penninsula, there was no one around, and it looked like we were the first ones there this year. This is a great campsite with 5 level tent pads, a great fire area, and a sandy landing. It also has a sweeping view of the lake. It's a 5 star site, if I've ever seen one. Dinner was an onion bagel with summer sausage, and pepper jack cheese. We sat in the twilight and listened to "Loon Magic", by a small fire, the lake was like glass. It sounded as though every loon in the world was singing at once. Surreal