Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

The trouble with beavers - Father and Son first trip
by AceAceAce

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 06/12/2020
Entry & Exit Point: Moose Lake (EP 25)
Number of Days: 7
Group Size: 2
Day 4 of 7
Monday, June 15, 2020

The next morning we still had hopes of making it to Kek with a nice short day today. The wind had been blowing all night and was about the same so I wasn’t hopeful. We decided to give Kek another look just to see. This time we took the light packs first. Sure enough it was again rolling white caps with a strong south wind. There was another group of two canoes less than 100 yards off shore working their way into the wind. They seemed to just be standing still. We debated trying it, even thinking if we could cut across and get into the long east end it might not be so bad. But, we had to remind ourselves that not 48 hours prior we’d gotten into the boat backwards, and had no real knowledge of how to handle a boat in those conditions. Plus we were both quite run down from the long day prior and needed a lighter day today. So, safety won out and we decided we wouldn’t be spending anytime on Kekakabic this trip. We did stand in the lake just to say we did.


Our original plan was to spend two nights on Kek then travel to Eddy or the South Arm of the Knife for two more nights before starting to head back via the border route. With Kek being out we decided to go through Sema instead. We figured we could get there today, then spend three nights in one camp. We back tracked up to Spoon and headed east. This really is a beautiful lake and despite being quote worn down we really enjoyed paddling it. We just took our time and enjoyed the views. I was surprised at how sparse the trees were on the north east side. Most of the forests we’d seen so far were very dense, almost impassable. This was a barren hillside with a few trees here are there. Even a few burnt trees looking like a fire had hit the are a few years ago, but I don’t see record of one on the maps I’ve seen showing fire history. If anyone knows the story on this area I’d love to find out.


As we neared the far end of Spoon it was clear we were once again in lands less traveled. The portage into the first pond between Spoon and Sema was a little challenging to locate and one of the least traveled we’d seen so far, but otherwise unremarkable. The pond itself was very different than the waters we’d traveled so far. It had lots of tall reed type weed beds. We spent a few minutes tossing weed-less style baits around with no luck before paddling on. The portage into the next pond is where things got interesting. This portage was the first one of the trip we’d had difficulty finding. A beaver had built a large dam just west of the actual portage which changed things a bit. At the time I thought this was the end of the pond and in looking around, I couldn’t see an obvious way past the dam. I climbed out and swamp stomped my way around looking for the portage. I located it and then realized the dam was not the real portage and hence no obvious way around it.


I came back the canoe to get the first load. On stepping over the dam I stepped on a large slippery rock. Both feet slipped out from under me, and I flew up into the air – think cartoon style – and I landed hard on that rock, right on my tailbone. I don’t know that I actually flew, but it felt like I did, so I’m saying I did. Either way it hurt, really bad and. Now I was up to my armpits in cold water on a cool overcast windy day. Any energy I had left was gone. It was a wind out of the sails kind of moment. As I stood there cursing and trying to stand up I knew I was hurt. I just wasn’t sure how bad yet. Brock had slipped and cut his knee up as well while waiting for me. After a few minutes to compose ourselves as many horrible thoughts coursed through my mind, we grabbed the pack and canoe and moved on. I was able to walk okay, but my back and buttocks really hurt. The second trip and actual portage was nothing special after the fall on the dam. Getting back into the canoe at the next pond was interesting. I was in a lot of pain. Sitting on anything really hurt and we were only on day three! I knew this wasn’t good.


The 2nd pond was even more of a shift in the landscape. It was even more marsh like. This was the first time I’d truly had trouble navigating. Granted I probably wasn’t thinking clearly, thanks to the pain, but we struggled to find the portage. I used the GPS app (Gaia GPS) on my phone to help and found it right where it should have been. Up and over a steep little portage into Sema we went.


At this point we headed for the campsite on Sema to dry off, have some lunch, and reassess our situation to decide what to do. I was cold from being wet and knew I had to get dry soon before things went from bad to worse. I threw on my rain jacket to help stay warm while we paddled to the site. It’s really a shame I didn’t get to enjoy Sema. It’s another lake off the beaten path that’s worth a visit. The camp site was small but workable for our purposes and some wonderful soul had left a stack of wood cut and ready by the fire grate. We started a fire right away to warm up and dry off. The breeze was blowing up through the narrow path of trees up into the site making a great place to hang my shirt to dry. I used the fire to stay warm and dry my shorts.


After a bit of a rest, dry clothes , and a hot lunch of refried beans, rice, cheese and crushed up Fritos – and let me tell you that hit the spot – we decided to push on and get to the south arm of the knife. Only one more portage to go. There were several highly rated sites near where that portage came in and once there we planned to find a site and stay put for a couple nights.


The landing for the portage is deceiving. It tricks you with a nice wide sandy beach. The portage quickly goes down the figurative hill from there. This was our first experience with a muddy portage. Without the mud the 200 rod portage wouldn’t have been bad at all, but given how dry it had been I doubt it’s even any better. In wetter years it would be very difficult. While my sandals with wool socks had performed admirably to this point, here I was wishing for a good pair of boots. We both ended up falling into the mud at least once and lost a shoe or two in the process. Eventually we made it across. The trip back without gear and the second lighter trip were both far easier. It really hit me how much your mobility is compromised carrying a canoe over your head or 70 lbs. on your back.


The site we were hoping for (1432) was just to our northeast. It was taken, but the one across the channel was open, so site 1431 became our home for the next three nights. It’s a great site that was too big for just the two of us. It could easily hold 9 people. I almost felt bad taking it, almost. It was starting to rain a little so we setup the tarp first then got the rest of camp up. We were both exhausted at this point. So much for a lighter day. I told Brock he could sleep in as late as he wanted the next day as we had no plans at all. Had beef stroganoff for dinner and turned in early.

~Kekekabic Lake, Pickle Lake, Spoon Lake, Sema Lake, South Arm Knife Lake