1st solo
by Millzberry
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
08/01/2026
Entry Point:
East Bearskin Lake (EP 64)
Exit Point:
East Bearskin Lake (EP 64)
Number of Days:
5
Group Size:
1
Discuss Trip:
View Discussion Thread (1 messages)
Day 5 of 5
Wednesday, August 05, 2026
3 A.M. wake up. I wake up to dead calm conditions. I quickly pack my sleeping gear, tent, and bear hang. I send a Garmin in reach message at 5:15 A.M. "Just pushing off from camp". I make rather quick work out of Crystal Lake. Checking my GPS speed at the 1st portage into Canoe Lake 4.8 miles per hour. "Paddling hard".
I make canoe lake last only minutes. Being sure to take many pictures on the way out along the portages. I make it to Alder lake. FLAT. "No wind thank goodness". I make it to East Bearskin Lake and want to take it all in.
I spend about 30 minutes at the portage taking pictures and just recording my thoughts to the camera. As I'm sitting there, the wind picks up. The wind never lets up, coming right at me I have about 4 miles to go. I buckle down and paddle hard I stick very close to the shore. I'm not sure if this was beginner stupidity or not but I kept going I wanted to get home. I had to paddle with the double blade nonstop, had I stopped; I would be traveling backwards. There were white caps on the lake but not horrible by the shore. That last 4 miles really cost a ton of energy. I pulled into Bearskin resort at 10:20 A.M. Just a little over 5 hours to get back. I returned the canoe, took a quick shower, dropped off the Garmin in reach at Rockwood Lodge and headed home of course having to stop at Cascade restaurant on the way home.
Bring less food
Don't expect the weather to be what it sounds like in your tent when you wake up. GET UP
On good weather days move
Always wet foot
The BWCA is too beautiful for one person
The BWCA is not too beautiful for one person
I will be going solo again
I have purchased a Garmin in reach mini
I have put a down payment down on a used NorthStar solo Magic to pick up at the end of the outfitting season
~Crystal Lake, Canoe Lake, Alder Lake, East Bearskin Lake
Day 5:
3 A.M. wake up. I wake up to dead calm conditions. I quickly pack my sleeping gear, tent, and bear hang. I send a Garmin in reach message at 5:15 A.M. "Just pushing off from camp". I make rather quick work out of Crystal Lake. Checking my GPS speed at the 1st portage into Canoe Lake 4.8 miles per hour. "Paddling hard".
I make canoe lake last only minutes. Being sure to take many pictures on the way out along the portages. I make it to Alder lake. FLAT. "No wind thank goodness". I make it to East Bearskin Lake and want to take it all in.
I spend about 30 minutes at the portage taking pictures and just recording my thoughts to the camera. As I'm sitting there, the wind picks up. The wind never lets up, coming right at me I have about 4 miles to go. I buckle down and paddle hard I stick very close to the shore. I'm not sure if this was beginner stupidity or not but I kept going I wanted to get home. I had to paddle with the double blade nonstop, had I stopped; I would be traveling backwards. There were white caps on the lake but not horrible by the shore. That last 4 miles really cost a ton of energy. I pulled into Bearskin resort at 10:20 A.M. Just a little over 5 hours to get back. I returned the canoe, took a quick shower, dropped off the Garmin in reach at Rockwood Lodge and headed home of course having to stop at Cascade restaurant on the way home.
Final Thoughts:
Bring less food
Don't expect the weather to be what it sounds like in your tent when you wake up. GET UP
On good weather days move
Always wet foot
The BWCA is too beautiful for one person
One week later reflection and thoughts:
The BWCA is not too beautiful for one person
I will be going solo again
I have purchased a Garmin in reach mini
I have put a down payment down on a used NorthStar solo Magic to pick up at the end of the outfitting season
Quick Question for the community:
Will the homesickness get better with more solo trips?
~Crystal Lake, Canoe Lake, Alder Lake, East Bearskin Lake
Lakes Traveled:
Crystal Lake,
Canoe Lake,
Alder Lake,
East Bearskin Lake,
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