Monday, June 17, 2019 We had 2-3 very light overnight sprinkles, but we were on the water at 8:45 on our way to Kawnipi via Murdoch Lake. Maps show this as a four-portage route, but as many others have pointed out, it's really five portages. None would be particularly challenging. However, there is a LARGE blowdown of two trees on the southern end of the longest portage (71 rods on my McKenzie map).

It wasn't possible to make a traditional overhead canoe carry through this section. It took one person carrying the bow and another on the stern. And we had to turn our 18-1/2' Minnesota II canoes on their sides to maneuver them through the trees. I've had to do this a time or two in the past in some remote places.

We rigged for Walleye when we got to Murdoch and caught three nice ones (aka dinner) paddling across the lake. I gave the group the option to set up camp on Murdoch or to push on to lower McKenzie Bay. The group chose to push on so we wouldn't need to tear down camp the next morning to move. We made to the primo campsite on the large island in southern McKenzie bay about 4:50, just ahead of the only somewhat-extended rain shower of the week. We got our tents and tarp up before the rain set in which allowed us to have a dry happy hour under the tent. The rain abated in time for us to fry up our fish and finish dinner cleanup before dark.