Long Island Lake, Muskeg Lake, Kiskadinna Lake, Omega Lake, Winchell Lake. 8.5 miles.

4 portages. 25 rods, 12 rods, 190 rods, 50 rods.

Today was moving day and we were up by 6am. We broke camp, had pop tarts and hit the water by 8am. The weather was perfect and we had a glassy calm paddle to the first portage of the day.

The 25 rod portage out of Long Island Lake has a rather tough take-out and the portage itself is very rocky and follows a stream through a little ravine. The portage ends at a beaver damn that we had to hop over several rocks to get to. I set Lauren and the canoe on top of the beaver damn and went back for the 2nd load.

Next, we paddled a winding stream through a boggy area until we reached a 4 rod lift over into Muskeg Lake. Muskeg Lake is pretty and the lone camp on the southern point looked to be decent. Here, we reached the longest portage of the trip, the 190rod "Muskeg Portage" to Kiskadinna Lake. The portage flat, STEEP and flat. The steep part is a long stone staircase. I would say it is better to be carrying the loads up this portage rather than down. It would be nasty going downhill on a wet day. Well, the portage was not as bad as I feared and it took us about 1 hour to complete. For the steep part I when carrying the canoe and food pack, I dropped the canoe, carried the food pack up and then returned for the canoe.

Kiskadinna was a long pleasant paddle with a good breeze to our backs. We passed a group of for canoes headed the other way and gave them a quick report of the portage we just did. There is not much topography on this lake as it sits near the Laurentine Divide on top of a ridge. The portage to Omega Lake is a bit of a beast. Extremely steep to start before descending gradually down to Omega Lake.

We hoped to camp tonight on Omega, but unfortunately, both of the nice camps were taken (the island site and the site on a southern point). We had lunch at a "yucky" camp (as Lauren put it) in the north bay and decided we would head to Winchell Lake.

The 50 rod portage to Winchell Lake was flat, easy, and a bit rocky. We shared the portage with a group of 4 young guys. Allow me to brag a bit here, but they started first and we ended first! :) Lauren thinks portages are fun. I imagine it is a good break from being cooped up in the canoe. She doesn't "portage", she hops and skips!

The calm, sunny day continued as we paddled into Winchell Lake. As we turned into the main part of the lake a gentle west breeze kindly aided our paddle. We passed the first open site at the mouth of the bay and the really nice site on the left was taken. The next site was open, so we grabbed it around 2pm.

This camp was very nice with huge pine and cedar trees. It has a great rocky beach / front porch and a cozy fire pit area with good trees for hanging the tarp. The camp even had a good tent pad right next to the kitchen. Great views of the Misquah Hills across the lake.

We spent the afternoon setting up camp, swimming, fishing and gathering fire wood. No fish--I've heard from some that they call Winchell Lake the "Dead Sea". Hmmm. Dinner was spaghetti and various snacks. Can't beat quality time around the fire with a good book and a cute blondie next to you.

By the way, Lauren did awesome today on the portages and didn't complain once. As I stated earlier, she is content to hop and skip along and enjoys being the "leader". She even carried her pack the entire way of the portages today except for the very steep part of the Muskeg Portage.