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Boundary Waters / Quetico Discussion Forums >> General Boundary Waters / Quetico Discussion >> BAPTISM LAKE QUETICO
https://quietjourney.com/community/YABB.cgi?num=1634065326 Message started by rick00001967 on Oct 12th, 2021 at 7:02pm |
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Title: Re: BAPTISM LAKE QUETICO Post by Jimbo on Oct 14th, 2021 at 7:51pm
As the others have mentioned, Baptism Creek can be easily missed. So, if you're not careful, you may find yourself en route to big Pickerel Lake. Keep it slow, follow the southern shoreline of French very carefully as you proceed west, and you should be fine.
My trip through there was about 25 years ago in May. It was only 2-3 days after ice-out and we were definitely crunching through some ice on the shady portages. That was a particularly high water year so we had absolutely no "dragging" to do anywhere. As I recall, even while partly submerged, the portages were not terribly difficult to find. Now, some unsolicited advice should you be consider venturing a little further south, to Cache Lake. As MagicPaddler says, reaching Cache Lake (if that is where you are bound) is a long day journey from French Lake. In fact, as you trudge the 2.5 mile portage towards the lake from Trousers, you will cross the Cache River (which bisects said portage). In drier times, you can easily wade or, maybe, hop across this stream. However, during high water times, it can be nearly three canoe lengths across and feature an impressive current. Upon reaching this juncture AND looking at your map, you will notice that the Cache River eventually spills into Cache Lake. BEWARE! This revelation may tempt you and your party to simply load up your canoe(s) and ride the current to the lake, thus avoiding the last 1.5 miles of the muddy (and sometimes nasty) portage. Canoe Canada Outfitters told me that somebody tries to do this shortcut about every 20-30 years. Anyway, should you contemplate this adventurous notion, my words to the wise are: FORGET IT!!! If double-portaging, my guess is that you can complete the entirety of the Cache Lake portage in 3-4 hours, depending upon conditions. However, if you get suckered into the "Cache River shortcut", you can count on the effort taking 1-2 days... and THAT is if the water is up at record levels. Somewhere in the stories section of this website the tale is told of the last party to attempt this shortcut. Hmmm... come to think of it, that happened about 25 years ago. With that in mind, I suppose it's about time for someone new to give it a shot. If you are looking for "solitude", Cache Lake is the real deal. On the other hand, if you are looking to take "solitude" up to the next (Robinson Crusoe) level - and you have a lot of extra time on your hands - have at it and try the shortcut... and be sure to let us know how that works out for you. Best wishes on wherever your paddling takes you, Jimbo 8-) |
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