Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Finally back in the BWCA
by 2NDpaddlers

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe

Entry Date: 07/31/2018

Entry Point: Lizz and Swamp Lakes (EP 47)

Exit Point: Missing Link Lake (EP 51)

Number of Days: 4

Group Size: 2

Trip Introduction:

I have been dreaming about getting back to the boundary waters. I hadn't been there since I was a kid back in the late 80's and finally got a chance to go with my wife (her first trip). The two of us had an amazing time together in the wilderness. We were outfitted by Tuscarora (absolutely the best) and traveled from Poplar to Round. Map calculations of about 36 miles on 16 lakes and 15 portages.

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Day 1 of 4

Tuesday, July 31, 2018 6:15 – woke up at Tuscarora in a bunkhouse and got things packed up and a quick shower. Had Tuscarora's signature French toast breakfast at 7:00 and by 7:45 we were leaving Tuscarora towards the entry point.

8:30 – left Entry Point 47 on Poplar Lake - Sunny and warm. High was in the mid 80’s. Wind picked up as the day went on out of the west making paddling tough. Horseshoe, Gaskin, and Winchell all dead into the wind paddles.

Had Lunch on site 627 on Gaskin – Awesome site – We had summer sausage and cheese sandwiches.

Long tough day – arrived at our site (761) on Winchell Lake at about 3:00. We were very tired. We loved the site. Great landing for swimming – nice protected tent area and buggout spot. Got camp set up, went swimming, and had supper around 6:00 – steak and mashed potatoes. 7:00 it started to rain. We were able to be out of the rain in the buggout.

Night was terrible – very stormy – lots of rain and lightning – large lightning strikes on the lake. We didn’t sleep much. 1.7 inches of rain was what was reported.

~Poplar Lake, Lizz Lake, Caribou Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Gaskin Lake, Winchell Lake