Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

2012 BWCA trip (Brant Lake entry)
by Lightfoot

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 09/22/2012
Entry & Exit Point: Brant Lake (EP 52)
Number of Days: 7
Group Size: 4
Day 7 of 7
Friday, September 28, 2012

Day 7: Tuscarora Lake to Round Lake (4 miles, 2 portages, 500 rods; low=44 high=60)


Woke up to a beautiful still morning. Took several photos as we had breakfast and broke camp.


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Looking east from the front of our site


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Looking west


It was our last day and we only had 4 miles to go, so we were in no hurry. It was nearly 9:30 by the time we headed out.

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Leaving our site on Tuscarora


It was another perfect morning to paddle. After a beautiful paddle across Tuscarora, we reached the longest portage of the trip. This portage is just over a mile long. It started out with a steep climb but then was not bad with just one other short, steep climb about 2/3 of the way through. We took our time and enjoyed some very nice fall colors along this portage. I got a few shots on my second trip across.

Some fall color along the Tuscarora to Missing Link portage


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At the other end of the portage we arrived at Missing Link Lake. The long, narrow bay leading to the lake was well sheltered and provided a nice reflection of some color along the shoreline.

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Southern bay on Missing Link Lake


When we got to the last campsite before the portage to Round Lake, the shoreline had quite a bit of color. This shoreline and the campsite looked like it could be pretty nice.

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Campsite in northwest section of Missing Link Lake


Looking to the shoreline across the lake, results of the Ham Lake fire were again clearly visible. We had come full circle now and the shoreline void of trees reminded us of the fire that occurred five years earlier.

We completed the last portage to Round Lake and were back to our point of entry by about 12:30. We loaded up the vehicle and then headed to Tuscarora Outfitters for a shower. We then had to stop at Trail Center for a very tasty burger (fish sandwich in one case) before heading down the trail and back home. Last year, it was nice to have Dennis as a fill-in, when Craig wasn’t able to make the trip. This year, it was nice to have Craig back and our regular crew together again. Now, where to go next year?