Quetico September Solo, S-Chain/Agnes/East/Jeff etc...
by OldGreyGoose
Burke Lake looked very inviting as I made my way across the lee west shore. Water was obviously low at the take-out, and in the riverine water beyond. Two beaver dams were not a problem to negotiate (one was hardly a dam at all) and the next take-out was rocky with the low water level. The portage to North Bay was a rock garden at each end and some in the middle, but at least it was fairly dry. The NB end was a mess! (Low. Mud.) Glad it was cool this morning.
Ate some snacks on the portage (I double portaged today) and once I was paddling again I noticed one campsite occupied on an island near the portage. Had a funny cross/tailwind to contend with as I made my way N/NE to the area with several campsites near the outlet to South lake. (Saw a non-rated campsite on the way that was definitely useable but it looked pretty slopey and shady. Landed at an open "3-star" site about 2:30 and called it "home." (5 hours, seemed longer)
Spilled my first bucket of water I got before landing and had to get another. (Getting dysfunctional because of all this work?) Got the tent up in the cedars away from a solitary widow-maker. (Big tree damage behind the camp area!) Beef stroganoff for supper about 4:30, then a half bagel/PB "dessert." SPOT "okay" sent. Saw about 7 people today, including 2 fishing near camp around 5:30. A great day in Quetico! (Cool, clear and breezy between supper and tent time. No bugs.)