Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Sawbill to Tuscarora Lake and back again
by birchwalker

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 08/01/2015
Entry & Exit Point: Sawbill Lake (EP 38)
Number of Days: 6
Group Size: 4
Day 2 of 6
Sunday, August 02, 2015

We woke later than usual this day, and decided to set Long Island Lake as our goal for the day. We weren't confident enough in our makeshift paddle repair to push very far, and everyone likes short portages. Gordon was a wonder to pass through. The intermittent steep rock faces and sharp pines was a contrast from the softer forest mixed with aspens on Cherokee. There was a small surprise portage this day, which on the way back we learned could be easily navigated without hopping out. Long Island Lake was every bit as good as Cherokee. We made it early in the day and grabbed the island site on the north end so that we would be close to the 35 rod portage in the morning. We set up a nice wind shelter with a spare tarp and roasted franks and pepperoni over a fire. This was the first campsite that was inhabited by mice. These little guys were not afraid of humans and were darting across trying to snatch up some food. Luckily hanging packs is enough to thwart them. We went to bed after we feasted and watched the sun drop below the trees, ready for an early start to Tuscarora the next day.