Day 8, Saturday, September 5, 2026. Thomas L, Fraser L, Gerund L, Ahmakose L, Wisini L, Strup L, Kekekabic L, and Pickle L. 6 portages, 8.7 miles (7.7 paddling, 1.0 portaging).

We were up at 2 AM for a nature call and could see stars, giving us hope for a clear day. When we got up around 6:30 we had light cloud cover, then started seeing patches of blue as we had our breakfast of coffee and loaded oatmeal. We left Thomas Lake and entered Fraser Lake via a narrow, pretty channel where we surprised an otter. Just into Fraser we surprised a beaver that slapped the water with its tail, then disappeared. All six of the day's portages were well-maintained, some with causeways and stone steps, and most were short. We saw lots of mushrooms and other plants along today's portages. We stopped at the first campsite on Kekekabic Lake for lunch—what a rocky site. Both pitching a tent and sleeping there would be rough, but the site gave Tia a view of a grouse and an American redstart.

Kekekabic Lake was very calm as we crossed, and our compass reading took us directly to the portage into Pickle Lake, our day's destination. As we started inspecting campsites, however, we decided we might really be in a pickle! The site near the portage and the two sites east of the portage into Pickle had rocky tent sites and were fairly overgrown, but exploring sites let us find a group of mergansers loafing in the sun. Pickle Lake's western site (#1409) had a nice smooth rock for much of its surface and a grassy flat area for the tent. We spread out still-wet gear to dry; the mostly blue sky and gentle breeze had things drying quickly.

A dinner of curried couscous with chicken, cranberries, and almonds was followed by Farkle and more McManus stories. There was some color in the evening sky, but we couldn't really see the sunset from our site.