Saturday, May 25, 2019 Gray skies and light sprinkles greet me yet again as I crawl out of my Hilleberg tent this morning. Small scattered patches of blue sky and brief beams of sunlight occasionally breakup the seemingly endless monotony of clouds and give reason for some weather related optimism. A quick breakfast and I'm on the water heading northward towards the Roe Lake portage. As I pass by the small islands in the NE arm of Sagus, an enormous snapping turtle provides some comic relief. In it's haste to retreat back to the confines of the lake, it winds up flipping over and just rolling side to side back into the water.

Rushing water is heard as I approach the landing which provides a decent spot to pull up. The trail it self is a bit overgrown but, easily followed as it climbs slightly to Roe Lake. On my last return trek across this portage I notice a couple other canoes out on Sagus heading this way. The island site on Boulder is my target today and, while I have regained my sea and portage legs, they will undoubtedly overtake me before I will reach that lake. Trying to put this out of my mind, I press on across Roe Lake.

The shoreline around Roe is low lying and swampy so, as I paddle on, I scan the area for moose. No moose is forth coming, as perhaps the ever increasing occasions of blue sky and sunshine may be keeping them in cooler locales. The diminutive creek leading to my next portage is easily located and navigated. There is a large beaver hut right in the middle of this quaint waterway that serves as a trail marker that the portage is just off a little finger to the left. The landing is pretty decent and the trail climbs a little before leveling off. I take this opportunity to use this elevated vantage point to look back and see where the group I'd seen on Sagus was. Good news. It appears they cut off and headed for Raven Lake! This helps lift my spirits as I finish up the mostly level but, muddy, portage. For such a swampy portage, it comes as something of a shock to see such a humongous boulder just off the trail near Cap Lake.

Since I don't have anyone following me anymore, I pull into the lone campsite on Cap Lake to take a short siesta. It's certainly nothing to write home about as the landing is tough and it is very small with no convenient tarp options. It does have a couple of small tent pads and I guess a person could make it work if needed. After my refreshing break, I paddle across the lake to my next portage.

Some maps show a short portage to the creek on the south side of Cap, and there is faint evidence of a landing there. But, I decide on using the more well worn traditional trail at the extreme eastern edge of the lake. It does climb up out of Cap and there are a few slight ups and downs along the way but, nothing to get too concerned about. Shortly after crossing over a tiny brook the trail climbs up to the junction for the cutoff to Boulder lake. This is easily discerned and serves as my first drop off point for my packs as I leapfrog this portage. The section from the cutoff down to the pond is without a doubt the most challenging part of this portage. Twisting and turning with a few more severe ups and downs - especially coming out of the pond heading north. However, I did stumble onto a lone morel mushroom just off the trail here! Once at the pond, I need to reload the canoe and paddle the short distance down the creek (left from the landing if coming from the north) to the next landing. Each landing is within eyeshot of the other but, there are several false landings that temporarily confuse me. The final leg of the portage is a little wet in some places but, otherwise fairly level and well worn. As I near Boulder Lake there are some nice mature pines and cedars along the trail. Carrying the Black Pearl on my first trek across; my spirits are lifted as I begin to see the first signs of water through the dense forest. Now moving with an extra spring in my step I briskly press onward. WHAM!!! I am literally floored! Laying in a crumpled heap under my canoe I am able to slowly crawl out to determine what just happened. A large widow maker is hanging precariously from a tangled mess of branches from either side of the trail. Thankfully it didn't drop when I piled into it with my canoe. After regaining my bearings I finish up the portage and emerge out onto a sun drenched Boulder Lake.

Fortuitously, the island site is vacant and I lay claim to it. A nice flat boulder slabbed landing makes unloading very convenient. The firegate is elevated and provides a panoramic view to the east. There are several exquisite well sheltered tent pads and a nice pile of welcome wood to boot. A large downed jack pine provides ample seating but, is also a bit cumbersome for getting from one side of the site to the other. Presently the firegrate is a bit on the exposed side but, if future visitors allow the small cedars out in front to mature properly, that chink in the armor will disappear. All and all, a really nice site with lots of cedars and white pines. My 2 favorite canoe country trees.

I take full advantage of the idllyic evening and head out on the lake after camp is up. While I do have success fishing, I really enjoy just being able to enjoy a leisurely paddle around the lake without having to deal with troubling wind and/or rain. My weather radio has been saying tomorrow is finally supposed to be a nice day throughout and I am looking forward to enjoying it.

~Sagus Lake, Roe Lake, Cap Lake, Boulder Lake