Before I get started I'm going to warn you this is going to be a long, wordy, possibly picture heavy trip report. I kept a journal by typing each day on my phone and what follows is exactly how I typed it up, other than a few grammar edits. I was going to shorten it up, but I figure some of you will enjoy the way it's written while others can simply skip parts they don't find interesting. Either way, I hope you find some enjoyment and my report sparks some interest for some of you to make a trip to the BWCA. Of note, this trip has been something I've wanted to do for the past 25 years but always put it on the back burner. If you want to go on this trip or any other, don't wait so long. There's way too many majestic places in this country to let slip by without seeing. Let's get started...
DAY ONE (SUNDAY JUNE 10)...Up at 4:45am. I shower, pack up and launch the kayak by 6 o’clock. The paddle across Poplar Lake is uneventful and I find the portage landing going into Lizz Lake easily. The first portage is a learning experience. Bringing my fishing kayak instead of renting a lightweight Kevlar canoe may not have been the brightest of ideas. However, none of the portages on my planned route are long so carrying 65 pounds on my shoulders should be okay. The portage turns out to be exactly that, except where the kayak rests on my shoulders. Little bit of pain there, but not horrible. Half way through Lizz Lake is the BWCA sign announcing that I’ve officially entered the Boundary Waters. Immediately after the BWCA sign a mallard flies overhead. A little more paddling and I encounter my first loon of the trip. Once I get out of the kayak at the portage landing, a flock geese fly over so low that I can hear the beat of their wings easily and I believe I could almost reach up and touch them. I make my way to and through Caribou Lake easily and finally portage into Horseshoe Lake. At this point I have to start looking for a campsite. My friend Ed has been to this area three times in the past and has given good suggestions on which campsites he liked best. However, his favorite site is too close to a campsite that’s occupied by guys making way too much noise for my tolerance, so I paddle on. The next campsite I plan on checking out is right where Horseshoe Lake meets the Brule River. It’s quite a bit more secluded and has plenty of trees for good hammock hanging options. Plus it’s known for lots of moose sightings, so I’m hoping it’s open. I’m excited when I see the campsite’s canoe landing from several hundred yards away and look forward to pitching camp. Then a man walks to water’s edge and all hopes of using that campsite are gone since it’s occupied. I turn around and am forced to make decision. Do I take one of the less desirable campsites on Horseshoe or make another short portage into Vista Lake? Vista only has three campsites on it…one that is very popular and most likely occupied, another that is nice but requires quite a climb from the water’s edge to the campsite on a hill, and one that is in rough shape and less desirable. It’s an adventure I guess, so on to Vista. Vista Lake portage is short but yet tough with tons of small boulders on both ends of the portage. It’s an ankle twister for sure. On Vista the wind picks up, blowing into my face of course, and totally kicks my butt. I assume the best site is taken so I go straight to the site up on a hill. No one is there, but tents are set up and gear laid out, so on to plan B (or C or whatever it is at this point). I go to best site on the lake with low hopes but am blessed, and surprised, to see it’s open. It’s about ten thirty. God loves me. I set up camp and take a two hour nap. Carpenter ants are all over near shore, running across a large tree root and the face of the rock embankment. I cook mac and cheese for dinner with Nutter Butter bites and a cup of hot apple cider for dessert. I’ve had no coffee at all this day, which is a totally insane mistake on my behalf. I fish a little bit from shore and read a book called “AWOL on the Appalachian Trail” that I previously downloaded to my phone for this trip. I get to to sleep about nine thirty. I sleep like a baby, as always in the hammock.
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