Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Fall exploration of the Kawishiwi triangle
by TuscaroraBorealis

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 09/30/2016
Entry & Exit Point: Farm Lake (EP 31)
Number of Days: 4
Group Size: 3
Day 2 of 4
Saturday, October 01, 2016

We decide to explore the 210 rod portage today. So after a filling scrambled egg breakfast, we do the short paddle over to the 10 rod portage. Our first of the trip! It's a flat nondescript path with a few boulders along the way. The landing on the north side proves to be a little tight & I need to paddle out and turn the canoe around so Vickie can hop in. It doesn't take Vickie long to hook the first fish of the trip (a small northern) as we paddle over to our next portage.

This trail is a little more difficult but, still rather easy. After bringing the canoe across we opt to explore the shoreline of this chute. If it wasn't for a large immovable log,that a beaver has chewed down, laying across the river; I wouldn't have a problem running this rapids - even in a kevlar canoe. As it is we'll use the portage on the way back.

There is a beautiful landing at the start of the long 210 rod portage. Large pines canopy the area & there are trails leading to river and views of the scenic rapids. We opt to walk up the river bed & shoreline for awhile. The fall colors really make this a magical experience and are able to cover a fair distance before the terrain forces us to bushwhack out to the portage trail.

We hike down the portage trail for awhile before veering off to go checkout the waterfall. The spur trail is pretty obvious to locate, especially if using your ears as well. Skirting around the dried up, boulder strewn shoreline we hook up again with the path near the falls. Once again the fall colors are brilliant here, and we lounge here in carefree splendor. I even stumble across a few prime pieces of birch bark.

Reluctantly we eventually depart and finish our exploration of the portage before returning from whence we came. On the way back Vickie hooks into a monster smallie that gives her quite the battle. I estimate it goes between 4-5 pounds. Not to be out done, Aurora soon pulls in a chunky northern which (to date) qualifies as her biggest fish ever. She's thrilled! Next, the rapids near our camp deserve a closer look see. We all have fun playing in the rapids & I spy some nice sun bleached logs that will serve well as firewood.

Vickie & Aurora decide to bake up some muffins for a late night snack. I don't think Vickie needs to wash the spoon or bowl afterwards!