Quetico 2005 Bushwhackers Jamboree
by hexnymph
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
06/11/2005
Entry Point:
Quetico
Exit Point:
Quetico
Number of Days:
8
Group Size:
6
Day 4 of 8
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Kawnipi Lake
This morning we were greeted with an overcast morning that threatened of rain. We broke camp and started a slow "trolling speed" paddle towards Rose Island while dragging lures. Shortly after we hit the water the rain began and a slight wind started to pick up. Throughout the rest of the day the rain would be off and on and the wind would pick up. Our boat managed to pick up two walleye and a pike by the time we hit the island. On the south end of the island we stopped at the campsite to check it out and gather our thoughts on how to approach "Sucker Lake".
We decided to first check out the stream to the southwest and see if it was an option, so we paddled our way into the bay that the stream entered the lake. Once at the stream we decided to set up camp on the point on the south end of the bay, make lunch, and do a recon mission up the stream. By this time we were good and soggy. Setting up camp and cooking lunch seemed like a real chore. When we were done I wasn't sure if morale was up enough for the hike, especially through a damp, skeeter infested forest, but with a little reluctance we hopped into the canoes and paddled over.
After landing the canoes we started our hike along the stream and followed a ridge on the right to get over some difficult terrain. Not a one of us had a compass out, and the forest was eager to lead us astray. We reached a point on top of the hill and looked down at a body of water assuming that was the lake we were heading for. By this time the stream was well out of site. I pulled out my compass and looked at it in disbelief. It appeared we were actually heading back east toward Kawnipi, only slightly north of where we left it. I called a halt and changed the rout to a bearing of due west. After crashing through some wet and skeeter infested forest we hit the target lake just above where the stream poured out of it. It was hear that I was enlightened with a concept I should have known all along. TRUST THE COMPASE.
We then broke trail following the stream down the cliff and back to Kawnipi Lake. After a short distance we found a path, deer? moose?, I don't know but it was followable. The trail would occasionally cross over the stream to some easier walking until we got near the bottom of the hill where it led into a boulder field. Once we reached the canoes we decided to take that rout. We were so cold wet and tired I don't think anyone felt like checking out other options. We fished our way back to camp and managed a few more walleye for dinner. That night, in the wind and rain, we huddled under the tarp and kept the fire going till dinner was finished and we were ready for bed. Once in the tent I thanked myself for packing some long underwear away to wear on such an occasion.
Kawnipi Lake
This morning we were greeted with an overcast morning that threatened of rain. We broke camp and started a slow "trolling speed" paddle towards Rose Island while dragging lures. Shortly after we hit the water the rain began and a slight wind started to pick up. Throughout the rest of the day the rain would be off and on and the wind would pick up. Our boat managed to pick up two walleye and a pike by the time we hit the island. On the south end of the island we stopped at the campsite to check it out and gather our thoughts on how to approach "Sucker Lake".
We decided to first check out the stream to the southwest and see if it was an option, so we paddled our way into the bay that the stream entered the lake. Once at the stream we decided to set up camp on the point on the south end of the bay, make lunch, and do a recon mission up the stream. By this time we were good and soggy. Setting up camp and cooking lunch seemed like a real chore. When we were done I wasn't sure if morale was up enough for the hike, especially through a damp, skeeter infested forest, but with a little reluctance we hopped into the canoes and paddled over.
After landing the canoes we started our hike along the stream and followed a ridge on the right to get over some difficult terrain. Not a one of us had a compass out, and the forest was eager to lead us astray. We reached a point on top of the hill and looked down at a body of water assuming that was the lake we were heading for. By this time the stream was well out of site. I pulled out my compass and looked at it in disbelief. It appeared we were actually heading back east toward Kawnipi, only slightly north of where we left it. I called a halt and changed the rout to a bearing of due west. After crashing through some wet and skeeter infested forest we hit the target lake just above where the stream poured out of it. It was hear that I was enlightened with a concept I should have known all along. TRUST THE COMPASE.
We then broke trail following the stream down the cliff and back to Kawnipi Lake. After a short distance we found a path, deer? moose?, I don't know but it was followable. The trail would occasionally cross over the stream to some easier walking until we got near the bottom of the hill where it led into a boulder field. Once we reached the canoes we decided to take that rout. We were so cold wet and tired I don't think anyone felt like checking out other options. We fished our way back to camp and managed a few more walleye for dinner. That night, in the wind and rain, we huddled under the tarp and kept the fire going till dinner was finished and we were ready for bed. Once in the tent I thanked myself for packing some long underwear away to wear on such an occasion.
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