Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Father & son on Vern
by superzimm

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 06/22/2012
Entry & Exit Point: Homer Lake (EP 40)
Number of Days: 5
Group Size: 2
Trip Introduction:
I have lived around Cloquet MN. my entire life, and began making trips to the BW's as a teen. My 23 year old son moved to Florida almost 2 years ago now, and when he called this winter and suggested making a trip up this summer, I jumped at the chance! I kind of let things slip, as to making reservations early on, and when I finally did, my first two entry points were full the day we planned on going. So I chose EP40, going in on Homer lake.
Report
Entered Homer lake (EP40) on June 22. Just days after the 500 year flood around home (Cloquet, Carlton, Duluth). Glad we made it up there without any real trouble. Easy paddle across Homer and we chose to take the creek to Vern. No problem! Checked out the 1st of two sites on Vern (NE site).....not real good and quite wet. We continued on to the other site on the SW side of the lake. Perfect! I'd give it a 4 out 5. Nice rocky slope, pretty big tent pad, and actually had 3 pads you could use. Also some well placed logs and flatter rocks you can use. We both felt it was the best site on the lake by far.
 
The lake offered up quite a bit of wildlife.....ducks, turtles, golden eagles, and MANY beavers!!!
 
The waters were very calm while we were there, and fishing was fair. We caught smallmouth, a few walleyes, and quite a few little northern's.
 
We grilled ribeyes over the fire the first night. Can you smell them cooking?
The beavers had houses everywhere on the lake and river. They had built a dam on the river where the water dropped about 5 feet.
We paddled up to the portage into Juno, and what a great sight! Here are a few photo's of the dam, falls and a great one looking down from Juno into Vern.
 
And the sunsets were breathtaking! All in all a wonderful trip with my son. This is what memories are made of folks!