PK,

I'm not sure that "shortcut" is really much of a shortcut. 

On my 2nd trip shuttle to Snow Bay, my group was dropped off with another group of older guys who were all hyped up about taking that portage.  My party, consisting of two young guys in my tandem and me in my Prism, was headed east, too.  However, we elected the water route, partly because I didn't want to get all jammed up at that portage with their bigger party which, due to the order we were unloaded by the shuttle, got off to an earlier start.  Anyway, by the time we cleared the far bay (on other side of portage), those fellows were only just emerging at the east end of that portage, maybe 1/2 mile or so away.  They were easily 20-25 minutes behind us.

I suppose they could have run into some trouble on the portage or eaten an early lunch or something like that but I kind of doubt it.  They were hurrying to get ahead of afternoon winds, just like we were.

Anyway, neither of the parties I paddled LLC with this past summer ever took that portage.  Maybe we missed out on something good.  I may never know.

Jimbo   

Today's POD: I opted to pitch my hammock tent on the highly-exposed "tabletop" at this primo Snow Bay island campsite.  I regretted the decision for a couple of reasons.

First of all, strong thunderstorms passed just north and south of us so conditions got a bit squirrely up there.  My belongings might easily have been swept off into the lake had we experienced a direct hit.  As it was, winds were swirling in every which direction at the time and I was hanging on to my stuff tightly.  Also, I was probably at ground zero for a lightning strike.

Secondly, we had a major heat wave going on. My tarp and a couple thin trees were about all the shade available up on that rock.  That sun was really cooking us when we went up there for our meals.  DD & Wally13 made better choices regarding shelter set-up, pitching their tents further back in the woods, away from the bare tabletop of the island... a lesson I learned long ago but failed to abide by this time.

It was a scenic spot for my hammock but ill-chosen.

Fortunately, there was a beautiful sandy beach a short paddle distance away where we could cool off in that torrid heat.  Believe me, we hallucinated about cold beer every afternoon and evening that week!

Jimbo 

Jimbo,

Is your island campsite #13 in Snow Bay?  Nice site.  Stone chairs on the southern side if memory serves....

Well, I think we did actually stay at site 12 about 12 years ago....had a lot of large flat stones around the firepit as well as the Laz-y-boys back in the woods a bit....nice site as well being wind-bound for 2+ days with 3 teenage boys.... 

PK,

That's correct.  View is to the west/southwest.  I was standing somewhat near my hammock (see earlier POD) looking over towards our kitchen area on the HOT upper deck of the site.  While offering a fantastic view, I consider the site "over-used" and somewhat of a dust bowl (at least on top)...the price of popularity.

Jimbo