Milestones in the BWCA
by patatcso
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
08/07/2010
Entry & Exit Point:
Brule Lake (EP 41)
Number of Days:
7
Group Size:
3
Discuss Trip:
View Discussion Thread (10 messages)
Day 2 of 7
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Anticipation wakes us early and I am happy to report that the new hammocks are a pleasure to sleep in. It was a warm night - around 60 degrees I think - and I tried the hammock without the underpad at first, which was a mistake. It is too cold without the pad but once I slipped that underneath me, I was toasty. My back feels better than after a night in my own bed at home. I am not too sure that Max enjoyed his night in the pup tent. He was not happy to go into it and sprinted out of it this morning when I unzipped it but maybe it will just take a little getting used to.
Although it rained last night, we get a fire going quickly and have hot instant maple and brown sugar oatmeal plus coffee for breakfast. We clean up, pack up, and pick up the canoe for the gravel road drive to Brule. It is only about an hour's ride and the road is well marked which is good because Patrick and I can get lost going around the corner. Ethan declares that he is confident in his own navigation skills and we quickly elect him the 'Navigateur'.
At the landing, I am grateful for the calm. I have read that Brule can be pretty rough in even a light wind. Everything fits well into the canoe but Max doesn't seem too sure that this is my best idea. I, however, have anticipated his reluctance and saved one cooked jumbo hot dog just for him. I toss a piece of it into the canoe to entice him and he jumps after it without too much consideration. We face six portages today but if I get it right, this one hot dog should do it. We shove off from the entry point's gentle slope and dip our paddles into the big water on our way to Cone Bay. Brule's charm on the eastern half is heightened by numerous islands, points and bays. I foresee several adventures that might start here.
We portage and paddle through the South, Middle and North Cone lakes before crossing into Cliff and although all of the portages are rocky, North Cone to Cliff is the only difficult portage of the day. We make great time single portaging. My sons and I have found a real rhythm as we load and unload the canoe at each portage. Max is still tentative but the hot dog continues to lure him into the canoe at each landing.
There is a monster sheer cliff on Cliff, go figure, and Ethan makes a note of it for future climbing and rappelling.
Next, we cross easily into Wanihigan and then finally into Winchell. Max is becoming more sure-footed. Once under way, he lays his head against the curve of the hull like it is an old pillow and catches some sleep. We have seen no other travelers so far (except some loons) and it is quite surprising to me. I guess Sunday is a pretty good day to start a trip if you are expecting to get a premium site. Heading east on Winchell, we pass another climbing opportunity and make note of it. Moving on, we are met by two Rangers who paddle over to check our permit. We ask them about a site just ahead in front of a little cove that I have read is quite nice. They indicate that it is indeed a great site and is currently open. All the sites on Winchell are on the north shore and the uninhabited hills to the south are covered in pine. Upon reaching our destination, we beach the canoe and gather at the fire grate to absorb the breathtaking view. I have been to the BWCA three times before and I think this site is my favorite. It can easily support a larger group than ours. 
Its pretty but there really isn't much access to the ponds so we trek back through the woods to the canoe and cross Winchell to try our luck on the south shore. The breeze carries us slowly west until we have to paddle back across to camp. Tonight, we cook up some Bear Creek Tortilla soup with foil packed chicken added. This is good stuff! It is supposed provide eight servings but three men and a dog do a pretty good job on it. Afterward, I enjoy some chilled wine (from a bag I sank earlier) and the boys have Crystal Lite lemonades with Smirnoff. There is cloud cover so no stars tonight. Once I corral Max into his tent it's hammock time for everyone.
Anticipation wakes us early and I am happy to report that the new hammocks are a pleasure to sleep in. It was a warm night - around 60 degrees I think - and I tried the hammock without the underpad at first, which was a mistake. It is too cold without the pad but once I slipped that underneath me, I was toasty. My back feels better than after a night in my own bed at home. I am not too sure that Max enjoyed his night in the pup tent. He was not happy to go into it and sprinted out of it this morning when I unzipped it but maybe it will just take a little getting used to.
Although it rained last night, we get a fire going quickly and have hot instant maple and brown sugar oatmeal plus coffee for breakfast. We clean up, pack up, and pick up the canoe for the gravel road drive to Brule. It is only about an hour's ride and the road is well marked which is good because Patrick and I can get lost going around the corner. Ethan declares that he is confident in his own navigation skills and we quickly elect him the 'Navigateur'.
At the landing, I am grateful for the calm. I have read that Brule can be pretty rough in even a light wind. Everything fits well into the canoe but Max doesn't seem too sure that this is my best idea. I, however, have anticipated his reluctance and saved one cooked jumbo hot dog just for him. I toss a piece of it into the canoe to entice him and he jumps after it without too much consideration. We face six portages today but if I get it right, this one hot dog should do it. We shove off from the entry point's gentle slope and dip our paddles into the big water on our way to Cone Bay. Brule's charm on the eastern half is heightened by numerous islands, points and bays. I foresee several adventures that might start here.
We portage and paddle through the South, Middle and North Cone lakes before crossing into Cliff and although all of the portages are rocky, North Cone to Cliff is the only difficult portage of the day. We make great time single portaging. My sons and I have found a real rhythm as we load and unload the canoe at each portage. Max is still tentative but the hot dog continues to lure him into the canoe at each landing.
There is a monster sheer cliff on Cliff, go figure, and Ethan makes a note of it for future climbing and rappelling.
We hang the hammocks and set up Max's pup tent while sharing some summer sausage wrapped in tortillas. Then Ethan and I head out for a little fishing while Patrick collects and cuts firewood. Patrick loves the woods and is a great guy to have with you as your woodpile is never lacking although I am pretty sure he plans to sneak in a nap in the hammock as well. Max surprises us by jumping in the canoe as soon as he sees us loading our fishing gear - no hot dog. We paddle east, against the light wind, plunking Rapalas and Mepps spinners along the north shore. After an hour or so, we hear rushing rapids and draw the canoe up to investigate. Max suddenly jumps out of the canoe ahead of us, onto the rocks and into the woods, picking his steps like an old pro! We bushwhack our way through the woods and over the small rapids to two ponds.
Its pretty but there really isn't much access to the ponds so we trek back through the woods to the canoe and cross Winchell to try our luck on the south shore. The breeze carries us slowly west until we have to paddle back across to camp. Tonight, we cook up some Bear Creek Tortilla soup with foil packed chicken added. This is good stuff! It is supposed provide eight servings but three men and a dog do a pretty good job on it. Afterward, I enjoy some chilled wine (from a bag I sank earlier) and the boys have Crystal Lite lemonades with Smirnoff. There is cloud cover so no stars tonight. Once I corral Max into his tent it's hammock time for everyone.
Donate - BWCA.com