Quetico Solo: Day Two - ©Doug Clark

Day 5

The plan is to make the journey to Kawnipi today. Got a reasonable start. Little wind. Going to be another hot one today. An easy paddle across the rest of Russell. Had a chat with a river otter on the way. A waker-upper portage to Chatterton, and then an easy paddle to Splitrock falls. A camp set up below the falls, but no one appeared at home. A group of 3 fishing the falls, and heading to the portage as well. Got there before me and headed quickly across. I would guess they are day-tripping from the campsite I have just passed. Caught them on the other side and mentioned that I was heading toward Kawnipi. One of the guys had been there several years ago and was disappointed with the crowd. Now that's not what I wanted to hear. On my last trip over the portage I spotted a compass on the ground behind a bush.

Thought about putting it up on a branch where they would find it, but someone else might find it first.... maybe it doesn't belong to them anyway... Hmmmmm.... I took it with me and hoped I would catch them somewhere along the way. Tough put-in area at the top of the falls. Had to make the choice between trying to launch into a moderate current area just above the falls, or boulder hopping with the packs and canoe to a quieter launch point. I played safe, although it was still roulette with the footing... Falling was not an option. An easy trip up Keats, other than trying to see the tops of the apartment sized boulders lurking a couple of inches below the surface, especially on a calm day. I high-centered once. Ouch, that's gonna leave a mark. As I rounded the bend and got my first view of the falls, I saw them pulling into the portage. They must have spent some time fishing the falls. I caught them there. Yes, the compass belonged to one of their group, and they were happy to have it found before it was lost. We exchanged a bit more info, and they were off for Shelley, leaving me alone at the falls. Cool. Extremely beautiful. I imagine what it would be like if this were in an easily accessible area, and I give thanks that today it is not.

Did a little fishing below the falls, and then a little exploring above. Way hot by now, and someone left the Jacuzzi switch on. I took a relaxing dip in one of the plunge pools, and gave thought. I had noticed a campsite not far back, and a couple of fishy looking spots. And now, seeing the amount of water coming through the falls, my feelings about the fishing were growing stronger. This is not the travel day that I had planned, but what are the reasons to push on? No different than the reasons for staying. This will be home for a couple of days. Ok. Back to the campsite.