Another morning of white horses galloping around the shorelines. After breakfast, we paddle the short distance up the channel to the Partridge Lake portage. Along the way we get to see the bald eagle who, presumably, has been making all the commotion the past few evenings.

There is a canoe and some gear at the landing and as we pull up and get out; a forest service ranger (Austin) emerges from the heavily forested trail. He checks our permit and we have a pleasant conversation for several minutes before undertaking the portage.

Even from under my canoe helmet, I easily discern several old growth pines and some nice mature cedars just off the path. The trail deceptively seems to climb in incremental stages on this end. We pass by Austin’s partner just before the old beaver pond which is now dried out. As Austin warned us, the trail just beyond the beaver pond is literally choked with thimbleberry plants that completely overhang the pathway. Still, common sense guides us through without serious incident. Aurora struggles some on this longer portage (especially through this overgrown section) and I coach and reassure her along the way. Eventually we emerge to a tight landing on Partridge lake that is well populated with mosquitos.

I pull out the fishing rods and we troll the shorelines with lush, green, beautifully undulating hillsides serving as a beautiful backdrop; as we work our way to the northern most campsite (#657). This site has a small landing, but we are able to make it work; and has kind of a dirty/swampy feel to it but, does offer an accommodating fire grate area and a couple decent tent pads. However, to Aurora’s angst, there are a lot of bothersome flies here.

After a short respite, we proceed up the spur trail which runs just behind camp. Initially it’s a bit wet and swampy but soon the ascent begins, and we are onto more solid footing. Only a short distance from camp there is something of an old cedar tree ‘bone yard’. Sadly, several old growth cedars have toppled over in recent storms and the stumps and fallen sentinels lay just off the recently cleared trail.

Soon, we come to the intersection of the Border Route Trail (BRT). Turning right, we head off towards the Rose Lake overlook. The trail is in better shape than the portage into Partridge Lake was and Aurora proudly takes the lead, pointing out interesting plants, rocks and changes in the trail. The trail coming at the overlook from this direction is much more forgiving than coming at it from Stairway portage and we are at the top quicker than I thought we would be. Aurora marvels at the breathtaking panoramic overlook and, as a reward, we find a precious few ripe blueberry’s up here. Since all the plants we've seen so far have only had green berries, these are the first fruits of the season, that serve as a tasty treat as we sit and enjoy the view while Aurora throws rocks over the precipice listening intently to see if she can hear them land.

On the way back, Aurora drops her open water bottle while trying to take a drink and most of the liquid gurgles out. She starts to whine a little but, I reassuringly tell her it’s ok we’re almost back to camp, and we still have my water bottle. However, I also instruct her that is why we need to be extra careful when we’re a long way from help. Because we can’t just call a doctor or quickly get more water or food etc. She is also fascinated by the patches of reindeer moss we encounter along the way and makes a point to ‘crush’ it all. We encounter a solo hiker at the intersection of the trail back to Partridge Lake and briefly trade stories of our recent experiences on the trail.

After returning to Partridge Lake, we pull off at the middle site (#656) to take one last siesta before committing to the portage back to Duncan Lake. This is easily the most overgrown site on the lake. I think the only reason we found it was because the forest service rangers spent last night here and the grass and weeds are matted down. It’s got a couple of small tent pads but, not much else….save for some frogs that Aurora hunts down.

This time across the portage Aurora does a great job hauling her CCS pack with our daytrip items. She stops a few times to take a break but, that serves as an excellent opportunity for us to have a quiet conversation. And, in the course of these conversations, she reminds me that we need to go to the waterfall again today. We also good naturedly chide each other about who is going to get the hammock first when we get back to camp. <

Naturally, Aurora grabs the hammock right away but, after supper we share some quality time together in our double nest. I harken back to her very first trip when we both took a hammock nap together. Her knees and elbows are a little sharper now but, I still treasure the experience; as we lounge carefree and watch the seemingly perpetual cavalcade of canoes heading to/from the waterfall from our relaxing perch.

Once we see a break in the action, it's on to the waterfall once again. This visit we spend more of the time exploring the periphery and the BRT. In keeping with the theme of the day, we hike up to the eastern overlook and look down on the, now occupied, campsite just below the falls that we visited yesterday. Two small chipmunks provide us free entertainment as they play on the precarious sheer edge of the cliff hoping we will share some of our Clif bars.

Amidst all the animal noises that we have become accustomed to hearing, this evening we also now hear an owl. I retreat to the hammock, and charge Aurora with keeping an eye on the fire. She revels in this newfound freedom and independence as she polices the fire unencumbered by any parental tyranny. Secretly, I look up every so often; more to gaze upon the jubilant look on her face, than to insure she's not burning the place down but, I don’t want to betray the confidence, so I turn away before our eyes lock. She’s growing up so fast.

~Duncan Lake, Partridge Lake