Saturday, June 15, 2024 We again awoke to nice weather although it would cloud up as the day went on. We paddled towards the portage to Finger Ck. The portage was a picturesque stroll alongside the rapids. We passed through Pocket Lk and headed down Pocket Ck to the confluence of Ge-be-on-e-quet Ck and then up it to Gebe Lk. Gebe Ck was pretty narrow until we lifted over a small beaver dam. This boggy area was also home to many pitcher plants. Once on Gebe I expected to start seeing people again but we didn’t. In fact we hadn’t seen anyone since Little Loon and it turns out we wouldn’t see anyone until tomorrow on Lynx Lk. I guess this explains why all these northern campsites don’t show signs of over-use. As we put in on Green Lk I heard a warbler that was new to me, the Northern Parula. Such a beautiful little warbler with a distinct zipper like call. I had inquired on the forum a couple years ago about where to find areas of larger White pines and a number of you suggested this area, and in particular the portage between Rocky and Oyster Lk. Wow, there were definitely some grand old specimens. In fact we found very little sign of wildfire or wind damage on this entire trip. It was pretty common to see large pines towering over the lakes and portages. The silhouette of a stately white pine really does something for me. We stopped for a break on the northernmost campsite on Oyster, a palatial one at that. As we ate lunch the wind once again started to pick up so we called it a day and set up camp, tucking our hammocks and bug tent back into a sheltered little corner. Speaking of bugs, despite all the dire warnings back in Ely, they weren’t too bad, at least during the day. Nights were a whole different story. Our first night on Heritage the mosquitoes were so loud that even though we were all safely ensconced in our hammocks and tents the oppressive hum was almost panic inducing. I can’t imagine how the wildlife cope with it. Fin quickly figured out the bug tent last year, as soon as it’s up he’s in it. Besides being the cook shack and hangout spot it is also his home each night. He really loves canoe travel and I think all the new smells on the portages kinda blow his mind. By the time we make camp that Alaska dog sleeps like he just finished the Iditarod.

Lakes traveled: Finger, Finger Ck, Thumb, Thumb Ck, Gebe Ck, Gebe, Green, Rocky and Oyster. Paddle 7.7mi, portage 395 rods