International Falls to Lake Superior, Solo
by Sjlubner
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
09/28/2015
Entry Point:
Little Vermilion Lake (Crane Lake) (EP 12)
Exit Point:
North Fowl Lake (EP 70)
Number of Days:
10
Group Size:
1
Discuss Trip:
View Discussion Thread (32 messages)
Day 10 of 10
Wednesday, October 07, 2015
I knew the final day was going to be tough. The first couple miles on the Pigeon were fine, but then river became filled with small rapids, rocks, and just general low water. This occurred just upstream of the English portage (of which I was not able to find). I knew it would probably be like this going in, due to the river flowing at fall levels- 100cfs. This compared to spring or early summer levels between 1000cfs- 2000cfs. I did some overhead portaging and some floating of my canoe empty down the river for maybe a total of a mile. This was very slow going. I avoided most rocks, but still did receive a few scratches on the boat. I did waist deep immersion for this portion, but had a warm enough of a day to make it pleasant enough. I then arrived at Partridge Falls. Extremely scenic and remote waterfall and easy enough portage trail. Upon arriving at the paddling end of the Pigeon River, I commenced sugar loading and a mental psyche up for the next 8.5 miles. The Grand Portage Monument trail is maintained by the National Park Service. It is extremely well maintained by boundary waters portage standards. It has multiple footbridges over large wetland areas and many sections are lined with the 2-12 boards to stay above the, at times, wet and muddy earth. Exactly 3 hours later I made it to Northwest Company Stockade and Lake Superior, a beautiful sight. I then camped at the Grand Portage Marina Campground and waited for my ride.
Lakes Traveled: South Fowl, Pigeon River, Lake Superior
Observed Weather: Sunny then Cloudy, Wind W 5-10mph, High 55, Low 28
Number of Portages: 4
Length of Portages: 10.3 miles, 3,300 rods
Total Day Mileage: 21 miles
Total Mileage: 241.25 miles
Total Portages: 45
Total Portage Length: 23.4 miles, 7475 rods
The route was almost entirely following arguably the most interesting international border of the United States. I varied from the U.S.-Canada border in three main instants. 1: I portaged/ paddled across Kabetogama Peninsula traveling from Browns Bay to Brown Lake to Mica Bay on Namakan Lake. It should be noted that portaging to some interior lakes in Voyageurs National Park is illegal. This was done entirely because of the adverse wind conditions on Rainy Lake, but however saved an estimated 6 miles from trip length 2: I used Grassy portage on Namakan to cut another peninsula and save 3 miles. 3: I went south of Coleman Island on Lac La Croix to save 5 miles. The voyageurs would have certainly not taken the two extra portages, as they greatly despised them, but I certainly do not mind them at times.
In early route planning I had estimated the trip to be 250- 265 miles (Rainy Lake Visitor Center- Lake Superior). My end of trip mileage came out to 241.25 miles. This shorter distance was accomplished by the said three major shorter routes taken as well as a slight disregard for the international border. Instead I took the route that offered the safest path of travel and most efficient line of travel. I completed 45 portages totaling 23.4 miles or about 9.7% of total distance traveled, though about a third of that total comes from the last portage.
The trip was done west to east for two reasons. One: Take advantage of predominate westerly winds. Two: Longest portages would occur near the end of the trip when weight of food rations were lightest. This trip also had two stark differences from other past Boundary Waters trips: no fishing and a possession of a watch. I love to fish, but this trip was too distance orientated to have time. This is similar to the Voyageurs as they paddled too long of days to hunt or fish. I generally prefer not to have a watch for a paddling trip. This allows me to fall into a more natural state and develop a keener sense of the rhythm of days.
A large obstacle of the trip was the dwindling amount of day light each day, about 11 hours by the end of the trip. This required me to be efficient with the given daylight throughout the trip. I was mindful of the time spent for lunch and paddling breaks. Most days I was paddling around dawn and continued to an hour and half before the sun set or so.
My pack started the trip weighing at 52 lbs. with 14 days of food, consuming 3,500 calories a day. My canoe plus extras (paddle, life vest, and portage yoke) totaled 36 lbs. This brought my total weight to 88lbs; certainly a far cry from the voyageurs load of two 90lbs packs. I can provide a more detailed account of gear/ food list if anyone is curious.
All considered it was a great trip. I was blessed with some amazing weather. Some may not understand the desire to complete such a journey in compressed small amount of time. The yearning the push myself physically and mentally comes from my background in endurance-based sports. This was also my third boundary waters trip of the year. I did a fishing orientated trip in May and as well a more relaxed, enjoyment type trip in September as well. I loved the vast terrain experienced in this trip.
Packing List
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-hFgVS9QiGQNUx1MWx2blNlX0U/view? usp=sharing usp=sharing
I knew the final day was going to be tough. The first couple miles on the Pigeon were fine, but then river became filled with small rapids, rocks, and just general low water. This occurred just upstream of the English portage (of which I was not able to find). I knew it would probably be like this going in, due to the river flowing at fall levels- 100cfs. This compared to spring or early summer levels between 1000cfs- 2000cfs. I did some overhead portaging and some floating of my canoe empty down the river for maybe a total of a mile. This was very slow going. I avoided most rocks, but still did receive a few scratches on the boat. I did waist deep immersion for this portion, but had a warm enough of a day to make it pleasant enough. I then arrived at Partridge Falls. Extremely scenic and remote waterfall and easy enough portage trail. Upon arriving at the paddling end of the Pigeon River, I commenced sugar loading and a mental psyche up for the next 8.5 miles. The Grand Portage Monument trail is maintained by the National Park Service. It is extremely well maintained by boundary waters portage standards. It has multiple footbridges over large wetland areas and many sections are lined with the 2-12 boards to stay above the, at times, wet and muddy earth. Exactly 3 hours later I made it to Northwest Company Stockade and Lake Superior, a beautiful sight. I then camped at the Grand Portage Marina Campground and waited for my ride.
Lakes Traveled: South Fowl, Pigeon River, Lake Superior
Observed Weather: Sunny then Cloudy, Wind W 5-10mph, High 55, Low 28
Number of Portages: 4
Length of Portages: 10.3 miles, 3,300 rods
Total Day Mileage: 21 miles
Total Mileage: 241.25 miles
Total Portages: 45
Total Portage Length: 23.4 miles, 7475 rods
The route was almost entirely following arguably the most interesting international border of the United States. I varied from the U.S.-Canada border in three main instants. 1: I portaged/ paddled across Kabetogama Peninsula traveling from Browns Bay to Brown Lake to Mica Bay on Namakan Lake. It should be noted that portaging to some interior lakes in Voyageurs National Park is illegal. This was done entirely because of the adverse wind conditions on Rainy Lake, but however saved an estimated 6 miles from trip length 2: I used Grassy portage on Namakan to cut another peninsula and save 3 miles. 3: I went south of Coleman Island on Lac La Croix to save 5 miles. The voyageurs would have certainly not taken the two extra portages, as they greatly despised them, but I certainly do not mind them at times.
In early route planning I had estimated the trip to be 250- 265 miles (Rainy Lake Visitor Center- Lake Superior). My end of trip mileage came out to 241.25 miles. This shorter distance was accomplished by the said three major shorter routes taken as well as a slight disregard for the international border. Instead I took the route that offered the safest path of travel and most efficient line of travel. I completed 45 portages totaling 23.4 miles or about 9.7% of total distance traveled, though about a third of that total comes from the last portage.
The trip was done west to east for two reasons. One: Take advantage of predominate westerly winds. Two: Longest portages would occur near the end of the trip when weight of food rations were lightest. This trip also had two stark differences from other past Boundary Waters trips: no fishing and a possession of a watch. I love to fish, but this trip was too distance orientated to have time. This is similar to the Voyageurs as they paddled too long of days to hunt or fish. I generally prefer not to have a watch for a paddling trip. This allows me to fall into a more natural state and develop a keener sense of the rhythm of days.
A large obstacle of the trip was the dwindling amount of day light each day, about 11 hours by the end of the trip. This required me to be efficient with the given daylight throughout the trip. I was mindful of the time spent for lunch and paddling breaks. Most days I was paddling around dawn and continued to an hour and half before the sun set or so.
My pack started the trip weighing at 52 lbs. with 14 days of food, consuming 3,500 calories a day. My canoe plus extras (paddle, life vest, and portage yoke) totaled 36 lbs. This brought my total weight to 88lbs; certainly a far cry from the voyageurs load of two 90lbs packs. I can provide a more detailed account of gear/ food list if anyone is curious.
All considered it was a great trip. I was blessed with some amazing weather. Some may not understand the desire to complete such a journey in compressed small amount of time. The yearning the push myself physically and mentally comes from my background in endurance-based sports. This was also my third boundary waters trip of the year. I did a fishing orientated trip in May and as well a more relaxed, enjoyment type trip in September as well. I loved the vast terrain experienced in this trip.
Packing List
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-hFgVS9QiGQNUx1MWx2blNlX0U/view? usp=sharing usp=sharing
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