We were up early and packed, ready to go, but we forgot some things and had other things we decided we didn’t need. This delayed us an hour as we took things to the truck and then got back on the trail. Still no issues with insects, so we stopped for breakfast, actually eating power bars and hot chocolate. As we got going, we actually met two separate groups coming out. One guy mentioned how high the water was on Iron and that he had been in the BWCA for a month. Before we knew it, we were on Swamp Creek and decided to paddle around the last part of the portage and go over the beaver dam. It was actually pretty easy; a quick pullover and the water was high enough that we could paddle into the Stuart River and work our way to the second portage.
I had been on this 99-rod portage twice in 2018, going in and coming out. It was as I remembered, a pleasant walk through the woods, fairly flat and well-worn trail. The next section of the river would take us to the large beaver dam, and we were able to quickly traverse this one and keep going, as my prior experience shed light on the portage on the west side to get around the dam.
I really enjoy paddling the Stuart River and look forward to future trips along this place. It was a winding half mile plus to the 58-rod portage, and I could see a water path all the way to White Feather Lake, but we had a goal to get to Stuart. I remember this portage from 2018, as there is a puddle part way through the portage, and if you step right in the middle, you will sink almost all the way to your hip. I managed to drop into that hole both on the way in and the way out. But this time, I would cross it during daylight hours, not in the dark! I really like the longer June days.
Still daylight and we make it to the next portage of 68 rods right after Contest Lake, followed by a quick paddle and then another 19 rod portage before another half mile paddle to the last portage into Stuart. This portage is fairly easy, but getting into the canoe on Stuart can be challenging with the rocks at the end of the portage. Made it into the canoe without tipping and we headed toward the Island site, TAKEN! Next choice was the NW site across from the Dahlgren portage. This site was open, and I really liked it, maybe even better than the island site, but this time there was no snow to deal with. My experiences getting to Stuart Lake have always been eight plus hours, but each one was worth it. We set up camp, I threw a slip bobber out front, and we ended up with a walleye for dinner, as the hook got too far in the fish to remove. I was content to enjoy the whole evening from camp, mostly gazing at the island just south of us, reminiscing all the fish I have seen Gopher Adventure catch walleye after walleye from that island on YouTube, and then have a fish fry on the island. Fun day and fun to get to Stuart! We are off to a great start.