Kawishiwi Loop
by landoftheskytintedwater
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
07/19/2006
Entry & Exit Point:
Kawishiwi Lake (EP 37)
Number of Days:
10
Group Size:
3
Day 10 of 10
Friday, July 28, 2006
Lake Polly to Kawishiwi Lake
We got up early and were on the water by 7:30. Polly was like glass at that hour and paddling across it was a joy. We moved quickly, just gliding across the lake. Almost all the sites were taken, and only a couple people were awake, from what we could see. Watching the smoke rise from a morning campfire as we paddled across Polly reminded me what a great experience camping in the Boundary Waters is. The first portage from Polly to Townline went well, as we single portaged. We had to wait for a group to clear the portage to Kawasachong after the quick paddle across Townline. This portage, 190-rods, was a bit more of a challenge on the way out as we were traveling uphill. We got it done in one trip though, which was a nice bonus. Kawasachong was also full as we paddled back toward the Kawishiwi River. Once in the river, we were greeted with the low water we had on the way in. The water between the two portages before Square Lake were now one, as groups had worn a path through the swampy brush to avoid the low water between the portages. Instead of a 10-rod and 20-rod portage, it was on big portage of about 90 rods. The stretch of river from Sqaure to Kawishiwi Lake was still muddy and we were barely getting through paddling. Finally we reached the beaver damn, and this time we put the canoe back in the water properly. We all kicked it up a bit as we paddled across the last lake of our trip. At about 10:30, we reached the landing where we had started our trip.
After loading up the gear and cleaning off the canoe a bit, we made the long drive back down to Tofte and dropped off the canoe. Then it was off to Betty's Pies for a piece of pie, then to Grandma's in Duluth for lunch.
In all, the trip went great. Cliff-jumping was the highlight of the trip, and we all were proud of the work we had done traveling from Sagus to Boulder and then from Boulder to Adams. We had improvised a good trip and scene a lot of beautiful lakes and stayed at some great campsites (Sagus, Boulder, Insula). I only wish we had traveled from Cap over to Makwa so we could have stayed there for a night. While we saw lots of loons and bald eagles, we did not see any big game, like moose or bear. Great trip.
Lake Polly to Kawishiwi Lake
We got up early and were on the water by 7:30. Polly was like glass at that hour and paddling across it was a joy. We moved quickly, just gliding across the lake. Almost all the sites were taken, and only a couple people were awake, from what we could see. Watching the smoke rise from a morning campfire as we paddled across Polly reminded me what a great experience camping in the Boundary Waters is. The first portage from Polly to Townline went well, as we single portaged. We had to wait for a group to clear the portage to Kawasachong after the quick paddle across Townline. This portage, 190-rods, was a bit more of a challenge on the way out as we were traveling uphill. We got it done in one trip though, which was a nice bonus. Kawasachong was also full as we paddled back toward the Kawishiwi River. Once in the river, we were greeted with the low water we had on the way in. The water between the two portages before Square Lake were now one, as groups had worn a path through the swampy brush to avoid the low water between the portages. Instead of a 10-rod and 20-rod portage, it was on big portage of about 90 rods. The stretch of river from Sqaure to Kawishiwi Lake was still muddy and we were barely getting through paddling. Finally we reached the beaver damn, and this time we put the canoe back in the water properly. We all kicked it up a bit as we paddled across the last lake of our trip. At about 10:30, we reached the landing where we had started our trip.
After loading up the gear and cleaning off the canoe a bit, we made the long drive back down to Tofte and dropped off the canoe. Then it was off to Betty's Pies for a piece of pie, then to Grandma's in Duluth for lunch.
In all, the trip went great. Cliff-jumping was the highlight of the trip, and we all were proud of the work we had done traveling from Sagus to Boulder and then from Boulder to Adams. We had improvised a good trip and scene a lot of beautiful lakes and stayed at some great campsites (Sagus, Boulder, Insula). I only wish we had traveled from Cap over to Makwa so we could have stayed there for a night. While we saw lots of loons and bald eagles, we did not see any big game, like moose or bear. Great trip.
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