Monday, May 25, 2015

Overcast skies greeted us this morning. Providentially, it didn’t start raining until I was taking the tarp down. So, at least we were able to pack up most everything while it was still dry.

For the first few portages today, we retraced our route from our day trip yesterday. Since everything was getting wet and slippery, the strategy we very quickly decided upon was to have Aurora only cross the trails once. So I would go across first, and then head back for my next load. Simultaneously, Vickie would be coming across with her load and Aurora. She would then wait (with Aurora) for me to return with my next load. Then I’d wait with Aurora for Vickie to bring her next load across. Rinse & repeat. Multiple trips across the trails today allowed me to better appreciate some of the overlooks and surrounding scenery, unencumbered by my canoe helmet.

The 83 rod portage from Elusion Lake to Glee provided a nice overlook. But, it was also long enough that I decided to tuck Aurora under the canoe, out of the rain, while she waited. This helped keep her dry & warm while she ate her cinnamon & raisin bagel. But, while bug spray did help, the Glee end of the portage once again proved to be a sanctuary for exceedingly voracious mosquitoes. And, Aurora would show the ill effects a day or so later.[paragraph break]

Once on Glee Lake, we would veer off our route from yesterday and head for Fay Lake. This was a short (22 rod) portage that was slightly overgrown. Next we paddled west towards the Chub River portage. While there are some rocks and a slight up & down to contend with, I’ve always liked this one. Of course there are the rapids, but I think the view down the Chub River is what I appreciate most.

Voyageur maps seem to indicate that the next portage is on the north side of the river. I had been through here years ago, and seem to recall the portage being on the south side. Never the less, as we approached Vickie said the north side showed more promise. What I certainly didn’t remember was the large beaver dam here at the start of what we presumed was the portage. Vickie hopped out to investigate. She found no trace of a trail. So, I crawled out and headed across the beaver dam to the south side. At the base of the dam I quickly located the portage. Maybe my memory isn’t totally shot after all?[paragraph break]

Certainly it was nice to have located the trail, but the dam wasn’t going to be easy to get down and the trail was completely polluted with slippery round melon sized boulders. So, even though this was only a 15 rod portage, it was definitely one of the more challenging trails we encountered on this trip. At least there was a neat little overhanging rock ledge where Aurora could duck out of the rain while I unloaded the canoe.

As the rain persisted, I don’t know if the thermometer crossed the 60 degree mark today. And even though we had done several challenging portages (especially considering the current conditions) spirits remained high. Having a 3 year old along, who kept a positive attitude throughout, made complaining unthinkable. Of course we didn’t have much in the way of legal options to cut the day short, as the first designated campsites along our present route were on French Lake, which was now only one short (17 rod) portage away. [paragraph break]

With water thundering down to French Lake alongside the trail, it was difficult to comprehend how the portage out of Seahorse Lake could be as flat as it was. Aurora wanted to take a closer look but, there were no discernible paths & it looked like it would be a tough bushwhack to get a decent look at the cascading water. So, we just paddled out and tried to look back. Unfortunately, with the profusion of overhanging foliage, this didn’t provide much of a perspective either.

The wind was slowly starting to gain some momentum. There is a campsite just east of this portage, so we paddled over for an inspection. The fire pretty much cleaned this one out. There were no sizable trees of any kind, so we just paddled by without giving it a closer look. We now headed for the second campsite located on the other end of the lake, aided by the escalating winds at our back.

As we pulled up, the waves were beginning to become uncomfortable. Vickie, crawled out onto the steep granite slope that served as a landing for this site, while I haphazardly clung to a nearby overhanging cedar branch trying to hold our position as best as I could. She reported there was a tent pad as well as a place for the tarp. Good enough for me!

At first this site didn’t look like much. But, under the present circumstances it served us quite well. We were able to set up the tarp to block the brunt of the wind & somewhat shelter the entrance to the tent as well. There was a nice sitting rock down by the lake which provided a nice view of the recovering forest around the lake. Although, with the wind still blowing, I only gave it a cursory examination.

Under normal conditions, having the fire grate facing into the woods would certainly be a downer. But, it helped out today. Providing enough shelter from the wind so that I felt comfortable having a fire. While both Vickie & I prepared supper and put the finishing touches on getting camp setup, Aurora spent her time teasing me by taking my hat and calling it hers. I thought she looked pretty stylish in it.

The remainder of the evening was spent drying out & staying warm. Copious amounts of hot chocolate were consumed; aiding immensely in this endeavor, while the resident squirrel provided free entertainment. The wind and rain petered out for good before we hit the sack for the night.

Paulson Lake, Glossy Lake, Elusion Lake, Glee Lake, Fay Lake, Chub River, Warclub Lake, Seahorse Lake, French Lake

Daily travels, 7 portages totaling 219 rods.