Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Poplar, Lizz, Caribou, Horseshoe and Meeds Lake
by paddelingruth

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 08/16/2020
Entry & Exit Point: Lizz and Swamp Lakes (EP 47)
Number of Days: 5
Group Size: 2
Trip Introduction:
We left Nebraska at 4:30 am Saturday, got to Two Harbors area by 3:00 p.m., a lot of traffic from tourist, art sales and garage sales, we went to Grand Marais and walked out by the shore, We tried stopping to look and pick blueberries from one of our favorite places in the past but there were way to many cars and the gate was closed. We got to Trail Center around 6:45 p.m., ordered outside, malt fries and burgers, so good. We ate in our vehicle. Got to Rockwood Outfitters & Lodge by 7:30 p.m.. Found our room at the Bunkhouse, talked with the Outfitter about parking & getting a map. They are so friendly. We had been wondering about the business of the BWCA since so many permits had been sold and people seemed to be flocking to the Wilderness, so tired of being cooped up. I would have never imagined coming to the BWCA and wearing a face mask in this beautiful canoe country. But we did wear them when we had to. Dan hadn’t slept hardly at all so we were ready for bed. Dan was out by 9:00p.m. and I took a shower and off to bed, trying to sleep but always worrying about what we might forget in the am.
Day 1 of 5
Sunday, 8-16-2020 Beautiful Morning nice and calm. We left Rockwood Outfitters and Lodge by 8:20 got to the Lizz portage ( 51 rod portage) and double portage by 9:30 ready to head to Caribou. We ran into a group of 2 canoes ( 5 guys) Didn’t have a watch to know how long it took. It was a 22 rod portage from Caribou into Horseshoe. We arrived at Horseshoe Lake and it was 11:30 when we got unloaded and stopped. We stayed at campsite#672. While we ate lunch we had 3 sets of canoes of people headed out and 2 groups going on thru. We had originally planned to camp and move to different lakes but with all the people and the way campsites were taken we decided we better stay put. The wind picked up a bit in the afternoon. We got our food bag set up and the tent up. No mosquitos!