Saturday, June 12, 2021 Broke camp and headed for Ely, stopping at Call of the Wilderness for a replacement rod (I break too many). Got a nice Phlueger/Fenwick Combo with 8lb clear monofilament line. I always wanted to check out Low Lake and maybe paddle around to check out the sluiceway washout area between Bass and Low Lakes, but when I got to the public access there were 11 vehicles in the lot and several people launching, including motorboats. After taking this scene in, I made my way to the echo trail and Nels lake (always looking for new places to stay).
I walked the shoreline trail to the first campsite, which seemed like a nice spot to stay. As I worked my way back to the public access, I came across a couple that was also exploring. We visited a short time and I let them know I was moving on toward Jeanette Lake, and the guy told me the island site was really nice.
I continued to Stuart EP #19 and did a self-issue day permit to walk the trail for some exercise, and to remember my epic solo of October 2018. It is a long portage, but very beautiful, and quite pleasant without a canoe and packs. I recalled the large sign on the rotting tree from three years earlier, and even though I saw the tree, there was no sign. I made it to the first creek, wondering how I could have missed the sign. Working my way back, I thought I had found the original location, and a little further along, I found a new metal rectangular sign in black and white, maybe 8”x8”, which would be gone the following year.
While planning trips each winter, I am drawn to the great places I have been, but also to the places I have not seen yet. The tug between the familiar and the unknown, the places I have enjoyed or the places I have not been. This is my first trip back to a familiar place, balanced with exploring new locations.
Next stop is Jeanette Lake campground, where I stayed in 2019 before and after my LIS solo. I do not prefer solos, but as I have read from many on this site, sometimes it is either solo or no golo! My favorite site was open, but I was interested in checking out the backcountry sites on Lake Jeanette, so I kept going with the hope that the island site would be available. But with strong winds on the lake, I drove down the road to the Astrid Lake trail and walked to the lake. There were two vehicles parked along the road, so I pulled in behind and headed toward Astrid. It was a short, pleasant walk to the lake, where I met a family that was swimming near the sand beach. They had just purchased a cabin along the Forest Service Road and loved coming up for the weekends from the Cities. Astrid is a pretty lake, and I have read the campsites are nice, with picnic benches and fire grates, as well as being on the Astrid Lake Trail Loop that starts at Jeanette Lake Campground, a 6.1 mile moderately challenging loop. Someday!
I drove back to Jeanette Lake Public Access and loaded the canoe for my overnight on the lake. The Island site was taken so I backtracked to the first campsite 2125 that I had passed. It was not the greatest site, but it had a picnic table, and the price was right. I set up my tent, made dinner, cleaned up and went for a short paddle and light fishing. Eventually I made it back to the tent and got to sleep. In the middle of the night, my imagination went wild, and I thought there was a bear convention outside my tent. I suppressed my panic and fell asleep. In the morning, I realized the noise was most likely turtles burying eggs. Lesson learned – not every noise is a bear convention!