Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: South Temperance Lake question/info
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Author | Message Text | ||
quark2222 |
Yes, I know Brule can get really rough. Been there and done that, and I was quite afraid we were going to dump with a tandem canoe once. But, I can't recall anyone saying they entered S. Temperance from Brule. By the way, there used to be a resort on Brule where the S. Temperance portage is. As I recall, the footings and artifacts were on the south side of of the portage nearest the Brule end. This was maybe 25 years ago or more when I saw them, so it could be hard to find anything there these days. Tomster |
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WhiteWolf |
Didn't know about the resort. Thanks for sharing. |
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Michwall2 |
x2jmorris: "The size of the lake is the issue. However I think it would be better if you can get on the water by latest of 6:30 am. Lakes are usually calm early in the morning." True. Earlier usually is better, but there are the exceptions. My son and I left LIttle Sag on a particularly breezy early morning and I think we were the last ones to paddle that lake (or many others) that day. We headed south on small lakes and were the only people we saw paddling all day. Brule would have been impossible all day. |
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bruleman |
In the early sixties, the camp manager took the guests for a day of fishing in South Temperance Lake. I recall a cabin near the portage site, but no fishing camp, but am not sure on this, because we spent most of our time at the east end of the lake, fishing North Bay and later in the Spring, Cone Bay. I am always surprised to see the posting on this site about the rough water on Brule. I recall only one time that we spent an entire day off the water because of the wind. We did do most of fishing from a motor boat, which I agree is a lot different from a canoe. I don't want to get into that argument, but Brule has many bays and islands and we almost always found an area that blocked the wind. I recall the camp manager portaging a 14 Alumacraft boat, by himself, across that short portage in South Temperance. We caught enough walleye for a shore lunch and were back to the Brule Island camp before night fall. I have many fond memories of those Brule trips. My grandson and I were last on the Gunflint Trail in 2018. He worked one Summer at the Seagull Outfitters, but is in the Army now. I may have made my last trip, but it wouldn't take much to convince me to go again. |
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minnmike |
JackStraw: "I stayed on both South and North Temperance this year. At least 1/2 the groups on the two days I was there were from Brule. A couple of the groups either planned on staying on Brule or only portaging 10 yards as their canoes were double stacked with equipment. OT, but JackStraw might you be from Wichita? |
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x2jmorris |
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Michwall2 |
The problem is that most people have to reserve a permit several months in advance from hundreds of miles away. There is no way to predict what the winds will be like on entry day. So you arrive at Brule Lake landing with a howling 15-30 mph gale from the northeast. This is your entry day and your permit. What do you do? You can see the rollers and the white caps out there and have no stomach for a long paddle in such conditions. No, your trip is finished before it ever started. In these conditions, the Baker Lake entry is still paddle-able. The hills surrounding it protect the winding lakes. You might have a little trouble keeping the canoe pointed in the right direction, but you can probably make it to a campsite inside the BW and wait for a better day to paddle and travel. Add to it that the Baker Lake entry offers a beautiful paddle, some river like sections, relatively easy portages, a chance to fish the ends of rapids, a chance to see moose, the abandoned mine, etc. It is a wonderful BW experience. Yes, Brule Lake entry may get you there easier and/or faster, but sometimes the journey is a better experience. My $.02 about why I suggest the Baker Lake entry. Others? |
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JackStraw |
I didn't even consider Brule. Solo canoe, so wanted to play it safe. Other than the last portage into S. Temperance the trip from Baker is easy and scenic, nice portages. Lots of moose in the area, which is one reason I chose to come up from Baker, I did end up encountering one on the way in, and one at my camp on S. Temperance. |
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jillpine |
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JackStraw |
minnmike: " OT continued. You got the the idea right minnmike. "Ripple" was already taken. |