First Visit to Boundary Waters
by Boppa
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
09/03/2006
Entry Point:
Farm Lake (EP 31)
Exit Point:
Little Gabbro Lake (EP 33)
Number of Days:
7
Group Size:
4
Day 6 of 7
Friday, September 08, 2006
It was a cold 36 degrees and foggy at 7:00 AM. We had planned to break camp that morning and spend our last night at a location closer to our exit point. Because of the temperatures, we wanted a warm and hearty breakfast which we accomplished by having oatmeal, coffee and cocoa. None of us had much desire to break down camp as we really liked our location. But we also wanted to see more of the BWCA. We had started a fire to keep warm so as we drank our coffee and cocoa, we discussed our options and finally took a vote – stay or
move on. It was unanimous that we would stay for our last night but we wanted to do something different. Jeff broke out the maps and after discussion we decided to take a trip to Bald Eagle Lake.
As we set out, after dousing the campfire and packing our lunch, we again had a great view of another Eagle coming down and picking a fish off the lake surface. The breeze was to our backs as we approached the connection from Gabbro to Bald Eagle. The low water level meant we had to exit the canoes and line them through the water until it was deep enough to jump back in.
Once on Bald Eagle, we did some fishing but found we were more interested in exploring. After paddling for some distance, around numerous islands and coves, we picked an unused camp site to rest and have lunch. It appeared that the site had recently been used, with debris in and around the campfire. We were able to clean up the site, and enjoy the views. From that location, as we looked across the lake, we could see the edge of where the Pietro Lake/Turtle Lake fire had come quite close to the edge of Bald Eagle Lake. The area will take a while to recover.
The weather had turned sunny but windy as we pointed the canoes in the direction of Gabbro. We were able to use the islands on Bald Eagle as a buffer until we reached Gabbro, where we were facing right into the wind. It was a tough paddle back to our camp site.
We spent our last night as we had spent most prior nights, with conversation and drinks around the campfire. This night, the fire was more for warmth than ambiance.
It was a cold 36 degrees and foggy at 7:00 AM. We had planned to break camp that morning and spend our last night at a location closer to our exit point. Because of the temperatures, we wanted a warm and hearty breakfast which we accomplished by having oatmeal, coffee and cocoa. None of us had much desire to break down camp as we really liked our location. But we also wanted to see more of the BWCA. We had started a fire to keep warm so as we drank our coffee and cocoa, we discussed our options and finally took a vote – stay or
move on. It was unanimous that we would stay for our last night but we wanted to do something different. Jeff broke out the maps and after discussion we decided to take a trip to Bald Eagle Lake.
As we set out, after dousing the campfire and packing our lunch, we again had a great view of another Eagle coming down and picking a fish off the lake surface. The breeze was to our backs as we approached the connection from Gabbro to Bald Eagle. The low water level meant we had to exit the canoes and line them through the water until it was deep enough to jump back in.
Once on Bald Eagle, we did some fishing but found we were more interested in exploring. After paddling for some distance, around numerous islands and coves, we picked an unused camp site to rest and have lunch. It appeared that the site had recently been used, with debris in and around the campfire. We were able to clean up the site, and enjoy the views. From that location, as we looked across the lake, we could see the edge of where the Pietro Lake/Turtle Lake fire had come quite close to the edge of Bald Eagle Lake. The area will take a while to recover.
The weather had turned sunny but windy as we pointed the canoes in the direction of Gabbro. We were able to use the islands on Bald Eagle as a buffer until we reached Gabbro, where we were facing right into the wind. It was a tough paddle back to our camp site.
We spent our last night as we had spent most prior nights, with conversation and drinks around the campfire. This night, the fire was more for warmth than ambiance.
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