That seems like a legit question?? I'm driving in from Denver so I have no input on this?
That seems like a legit question?? I'm driving in from Denver so I have no input on this?
With the overnight temps having been below freezing for the past 8 weeks and with the overnight temps forecast for the teens and single digits over the next ten days, there should be plenty of good ice.
The game is the best teacher.
Yes. You never know for sure. But below is a link to December's data. 10 nights with lows in single digits or below 0 is a good indicator.
https://www.wunderground.com/calenda...I/date/2019-12
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Thanks for the tips GSX, but call me dense (rather than lost)...
The DNR website PDF map does not show the "portage trails", nor "camp 6" (I presume we are NOT camping at the "shelter" as that would be rude to the skiers)
Nick's description is equally vague:
"The Route: We will cross 1-2 lakes based on conditions. Head north on Escanaba Lake and take the portage trail to Lost Canoe Lake then head to the west and over the portage to Pallette Lake. The end of this portage is camp site 6 and this is where we will hang. Travel time will be roughly 1-2 hours..."
From this I have a very vague idea, but finding portage trails in the dark or whiteouts is no easy task.
I even went to the USGS office and purchased a 7.5' topo map- no portage trails shown.
A bit more research provided this map from a Vilas Co site, which shows some portage trails (not even close to where I guessed they would have been, as one goes through a swamp)
http://vilaswi.com/maps/Escanaba-Pal...ake-Trails.pdf
And this link provides the trails (and four numbered campsites on the PDF sublink), none of which correlate with the above descriptions:
http://www.northwoodstrails.com/hiki...l#.XhAnExtME6Q
So I'm just trying to be precise to avoid confusion and "lostness".
I've gotten bewildered several times looking for groups, and winter in the dark is no time for that.
(heck, I even know someone who got lost going from the fire pit to the hammock out in the woods on one Frozen Butt Hang ) LOL.
Last edited by canoeski; 01-04-2020 at 04:50.
Not all who wander are lost.
Hi Canoeski, Thanks for your links to maps & info.
I found a very large, detailed map of the northern half of the NHAL Forest. (6MB file)
It shows the portage trails and 6 campsites on Pallette Lake. But the sites are not numbered. I believe the portages are a bolder, blue line. (creeks are finer blue lines). Hopefully I interpreted that correctly. The portage locations seem to match Nick's directions.
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/StateForests/nhal/trails.html
On the dnr website look for: "Property map (north) [pdf]"
On a computer, the map is located on the right-hand side of the page. On a smartphone it is not easily located.
Finally, I made a zoomed in view of the area. Link to this smaller PDF is https://drive.google.com/open?id=1j2...7p-yNEFHk8_6_-
Can someone confirm which is campsite # 6? Perhaps reference the site farthest north (above the "ll" in Pallette)? i.e. 2 sites counterclockwise from the reference site?
Looking forward to this hang!
To avoid any confusion or lostness could someone take a map and draw the route that we should be taking to get to campsite 6? That would be super helpful to everyone unfamiliar with the area.
Is there going to be a certain time on Friday the people are meeting at the trailhead? If my wife is able to get off of work we will be showing up at the trailhead about noontime and would be great to do the hike with someone who knows their way around.
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Thanks for the link Tato. I would never have found that!
This is a highly zoomed in screen shot of the "Property Map"
Escanaba Lake -Lost Canoe Lake Trails.jpg
(click to enlarge)
This jives somewhat with one of the previous links a referenced, but finer detail and more campsites. Each map seems somewhat different in what is emphasized.
I crudely circled where I believe the portages are. The far west, short portage from Lost canoe to a little bay on Pallette lake is questionable, so please DON"T use this for navigation until NICK CONFIRMS where we are going.
I still have no precise idea where our camp will be.
Last edited by canoeski; 01-04-2020 at 13:04.
Not all who wander are lost.
For anyone planning on ice fishing, a special permit must be obtained from the DNR to fish Pallette Lk. Best bet is Trout Lk. Ranger Station, as I doubt the Escanaba Lk. Office will be open. You may be able to call the Trout Lk. station and have them FAX or email you the permit. Pallette Lk. has lake trout, ciscoes, northerns, and bass. It is very deep and clear.
Tried to send PM to Nick: mailbox full.
Not all who wander are lost.
I’ll plan on being there around noon as I am also unfamiliar with the area. I would like to hike in with someone who knows the trail system. I will be leaving from Appleton and driving down 51, if anyone wants to travel together. I pulled this picture from the 6th annual trip.
Last edited by Geohanging; 01-05-2020 at 22:27.
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