Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Short trip to Perent
by stok0099

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 07/15/2021
Entry & Exit Point: Hog Creek (EP 36)
Number of Days: 3
Group Size: 2
Trip Introduction:
My wife and I found a baby sitter for a couple nights! BWCA here we come! We hadn't been for a few years since we have 2 little kids, but now we had a chance. We had heard about Perent Lake, so thought we'd give it a try since we only had two nights and there isn't too much portaging to get there.
Day 1 of 3
Thursday, July 15, 2021

We got a late start due to a late notice appointment, but we drove up the shore and arrived at the landing around 2pm. We were surprised by how far we had to travel on a dirt road, but I guess that's most of the BWCA. As we got closer, we saw Hog creek a couple times winding back and forth on the road. It was so dried up, it looked like nothing but a super small creek. We knew this could be an issue, but were hopeful we could still make it in. Once we made it to the entry point, we decided the trip was at least worth a shot. We made it only a few hundred feet before we needed to get out and push the canoe over some mud. Then we did that again, and again, and again. Hog creek at this time was SUPER DRY and made it pretty frustrating to make it down. Luckily the bugs weren't bad, because we had to get out of our canoe quite a few times! It took us about 2 hours to reach Perent Lake.

As we paddled across Perent, we saw the first 6 or 7 sites were full. We made it almost to the northeast end before we found a site on the east shore line free. We snagged it without questioning if it was a good spot. Turns out it was just fine for us. Very few bugs, little breeze, great view, and some privacy. Exactly what we look for in the BWCA!

We set up camp, fished a little (caught one small northern and one small rock bass), and had brats for dinner. We went to bed early as we couldn't have a campfire due to the dry season. First time in the BWCA without a campfire, but going to bed early was just fine by us tired parents.