Sawbill Loop Solo Adventure
by Portage99
~Jack Lake, Weird Lake, South Temperance Lake, North Temperance Lake, Sitka Lake, Cherokee Lake
About 5am, I woke to some animal noises I could not identify. I knew it was not a clunky bear. It didn’t sound like a beaver. It sounded a little like dancing. I tried out all the animals I was familiar with, but couldn’t place the noise. I wanted to get an early start, so I just got up. I did not see what was making the prancing type sound. I made some coffee and oatmeal quick. I really wanted to know what the animal was! I accidentally dropped my Pelican box which made a loud noise. I heard a big splash! Ah-ha…my culprit. I waited awhile for safety and gingerly went down the hill to the shore. A moose was just getting up on an island close to the site. I could not believe it was a moose! The whole time I was loading the canoe, the moose stared at me like the interloper I was. Quite intimidating! A really cool experience.
Somewhere around Weird Lake, I had my first kind of lonely feeling. I had planned for this, as I knew it would happen. I felt very alone and vulnerable. I think I was missing having tripping companions. I followed my plan to focus on everything in the moment only and shut down those thoughts. The beauty of the morning soon took over.
The portage to Temperance was challenging but doable. I met a fellow traveler from the bwca.com website on the trail, going the opposite way. So, that was super cool. At the end of the portage, I had a decision to make. I felt like it was too early to stop for the day, but thought going on to Cherokee may max out my physical capabilities. On the other hand, I thought I could do it.....So, I pressed on....
The weather was amazing, except for the WIND. I had success with my “map and compass not looking at shore” trick in South Temperance to boost my confidence. By the time I arrived at North Temperance the wind was a good pace. I battled it hard and felt like the Prism and I were becoming friends. During a few gusts, it was dig in deep and don't give up. I stopped for a snack before the portages to Sitka and on to Cherokee. I saw some fellow travelers going the opposite way. We visited briefly. It is nice to see people sporadically when you are alone!
The portaging to Cherokee was *brutal, I ain’t gonna lie. On the portage into Sitka, I hit my right toe on a rock. I felt a sharp burst of pain in my toe and ankle, but then it subsided. Being solo, I had to double portage everything. I had my packs at the end of the portage into Cherokee. Once I went back for my canoe, I would be done portaging for the day. When I arrived to claim my canoe, I had this overwhelming thought, “I can’t physically do this anymore.” I stood there for a moment looking out into Sitka...then, picked up my canoe. I found a cadence, like a military-march cadence that really, really helped me push through to Cherokee. My parents used to complain that I was stubborn, but sometimes stubbornness comes in handy!! I was determined to finish that &%$# portage. Luckily, the first campsite NE of the portage was open. I was exhausted. It was sunny and nice out, so I set up camp quick. I laid down on the warm rocks and kind of dozed for about an hour. Heavenly! The day had busted my bum, but it was a great sense of accomplishment lying there in the sun. Is there anything better than lying on those warm rocks?
When I woke up, I noticed a throbbing in my toe. I took my shoes off and I had bruised my big left toe and the nail seemed to be coming off. It was really throbbing, so I taped it and took some Naproxen. Tomorrow will be my “free” day, so I can nurse my toe. I could bear weight, so I knew I could make it out. My only concern was the pain level and how much it would slow me down.
It was a perfect evening. I made potato soup which made me a nice kind of tired. I snuggled in my sleeping bag to study my map and fell asleep on my map!
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