Lake One; Getting off the beaten path.
by paddlefamily
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
05/20/2011
Entry & Exit Point:
Lake One (EP 30)
Number of Days:
4
Group Size:
4
Discuss Trip:
View Discussion Thread (9 messages)
Day 3 of 4
Sunday, May 22, 2011 Today we woke up to gray skies again and intermittent rain. We were able to take down our gear dry. After a breakfast of homemade granola, we set off towards the short portage that takes us into the creek towards Hudson Lake.
North Wilder was a very pretty lake to camp on. Nice back bays, small islands and quiet.
The portage from N Wilder to the creek was muddy, and we saw signs of moose. But no moose.
The paddle along the wide, easy creek is lined with lowland bush and flowers. The banks are studded with spruce. Random boulders complement and provide variety. This was one of our favorite paddling sections.
The creek outlets at Hudson. The campsites were full in this area, but they look nice.
We headed up the north arm of Hudson Lake. This is another narrow, interesting section. You see more large white and red pine here with cedar along the banks. The rain created a wonderful musty wood mixed with cedar small. Sections of rock protruding from the water and islands throughout. The short, easy 10 rod portage to Fire lake brings you to a lovely entry. Fire lake looks like it might be nice to camp on. Small and narrow.
The next two portages that bypass small rapids and rock are easy. Sheer granite curtains both sides at one portage.
We followed this course into Lake Four which nearly blends into Bridge Lake. During our trip the birds were actively seeking makes and we were treated to a chorus of calls. Many loons were also spotted.
We lunched at a very nice site on Bridge. If we didn't need to go further, we would have stayed here. Landing is so, so, but area is cushioned with pine needles and mature trees landscape the area beautifully. Tent pads are nice as well.
After a savory lunch of tuna salad rolled into tortilla shells, we hit the longest portages of our trip. At 170 rods it isn't too bad. Plenty of ups and downs with some of those ups being a quick scramble up slippery boulders. We encountered a have dozen blow downs, one that was massive and took three of us to get each canoe over. Spring has been blustery!
We took a breather at Rifle lake, watched bluegills watching us. Fished again, then headed to grab a campsite on Lake Two, our last night.
Lake Two's sites were mostly occupied (no surprise), but we managed to get a island site that was ok. Landing is very nice, being flat. Fire pit area is pretty exposed with no trees for tarps. We set up our tarp in a grove of trees off to the side. Overall site is heavily used and wood very scarce.
After a dinner of Harvest Pasta, we watched the resident beaver and tried our luck at climbing some rocks at the tip of the bay. More funny than successful. We were treated to a classic (and our only) BW sunset. After days of gray, it was almost surprising to see the flush of blue the lakes took on and the golds and green that make this area so wonderful.
North Wilder was a very pretty lake to camp on. Nice back bays, small islands and quiet.
The portage from N Wilder to the creek was muddy, and we saw signs of moose. But no moose.
The paddle along the wide, easy creek is lined with lowland bush and flowers. The banks are studded with spruce. Random boulders complement and provide variety. This was one of our favorite paddling sections.
The creek outlets at Hudson. The campsites were full in this area, but they look nice.
We headed up the north arm of Hudson Lake. This is another narrow, interesting section. You see more large white and red pine here with cedar along the banks. The rain created a wonderful musty wood mixed with cedar small. Sections of rock protruding from the water and islands throughout. The short, easy 10 rod portage to Fire lake brings you to a lovely entry. Fire lake looks like it might be nice to camp on. Small and narrow.
The next two portages that bypass small rapids and rock are easy. Sheer granite curtains both sides at one portage.
We followed this course into Lake Four which nearly blends into Bridge Lake. During our trip the birds were actively seeking makes and we were treated to a chorus of calls. Many loons were also spotted.
We lunched at a very nice site on Bridge. If we didn't need to go further, we would have stayed here. Landing is so, so, but area is cushioned with pine needles and mature trees landscape the area beautifully. Tent pads are nice as well.
After a savory lunch of tuna salad rolled into tortilla shells, we hit the longest portages of our trip. At 170 rods it isn't too bad. Plenty of ups and downs with some of those ups being a quick scramble up slippery boulders. We encountered a have dozen blow downs, one that was massive and took three of us to get each canoe over. Spring has been blustery!
We took a breather at Rifle lake, watched bluegills watching us. Fished again, then headed to grab a campsite on Lake Two, our last night.
Lake Two's sites were mostly occupied (no surprise), but we managed to get a island site that was ok. Landing is very nice, being flat. Fire pit area is pretty exposed with no trees for tarps. We set up our tarp in a grove of trees off to the side. Overall site is heavily used and wood very scarce.
After a dinner of Harvest Pasta, we watched the resident beaver and tried our luck at climbing some rocks at the tip of the bay. More funny than successful. We were treated to a classic (and our only) BW sunset. After days of gray, it was almost surprising to see the flush of blue the lakes took on and the golds and green that make this area so wonderful.
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