Quetico - Russell Lake July 6 to July 13, 1990 [ Return ]

Day 1 - Camp to Island in Pickerel Lake (as told by David)

Our day began at 6:00 a.m. when Aaron woke us up. We quickly made our beds and hurried on down to the dining hall for breakfast which consisted of Cherrios, fruit, muffins, juice and milk. At breakfast things were relatively quiet, except for the occasional click of spoons scraping accross the botton of bowls getting the last drops of milk out. Everyone was silent, keeping their thoughts to themselves about what the first day on the trail would bring us.

We left camp around 7:00 a.m. and headed due north for the border and Quetico Provincial Park. The trip up was fairly boring and monotonous, highlighted by the sight of a whitetail doe, and later by the appearance of two bucks whose antlers were still in velvet. Most of the time people either listened to the radio or slept.

Around 2:00 p.m. we arrived at the Quetico Park ranger station where we got our fishing licenses and watched a slide show. At around 3:00 p.m. we said our final goodbyes to Mike and we finally shoved off from the shore of French Lake and headed down toward the end of it. There we picked up Pickerel River which brought us to Pickerel lake. As we came into Pickerel Lake the wind picked up a little but it still did not keep us from having fun.

While we were paddling we landed upon a tiny rock island which we promptly named "Manitou Island". Around 7:00 p.m. we found a campsite on a beautiful island covered with red pines, and quickly make camp. Dinner was made and afterward we cleaned up. Right now as I am preparing to end this entry in the log, I am sitting on the west side of the island and have just finished watching a spectacular sunset full of light pinks, dark violets, pale blues and many other colors. The sun has now set over the trees and the wind has cooled things off, so with these final words I shall end my part of the log.

Day 2 - Island in Pickerel Lake to Sturgeon Lake

This morning we were awakened by the sound of rain beating against our tents. C.J. let us sleep a while longer until the rain stopped. After everyone was fully dressed the process of repacking our Duluth packs began. Some of us had it done in minutes while others had problems cramming their clothes into one small space. Once the packing was done, breakfast was ready. The breakfast consisted of Capt. Crunch, prunes, juice, and date bars. After the delicious breakfast we were all feeling strong and ready for the long day ahead.

Moments later we shoved off into Pickerel lake and our second day's voyage began. We paddled for hours in the lake until we arrived at a resting spot. Nathan led the group in our morning excercise class. Finally we came to Portage Bay. After spotting the portage we paddled up on shore, where we made our carrying arrangements. One by one we all set off into the woods not knowing what lay in store for us. Right as we were getting tired a sigh of relief came when we saw the trees open to Doré Lake. Once in Doré Lake our stomachs began to growl. We came to a decent lunch spot and ate vigorously.

Again we set off for a short paddle to our second portage. Now that we knew what a portage was like, we set out and travelled through a half mile of mud. Though the portage was long and hard, it was a great experience. The trail dumped off into Twin Lakes where Tony spotted a moose. Because the moose had poor eyesight and was busy eating plants from the bottom of the lake we were able to quietly sneak up on him and take photos.

Soon the moose got too nervous and walked out of the water, shook the water off his fur, and he slowly wandered off into the dense forest. Later in Deux Riviéres we encountered two beavers, a deer, many herons, and another moose in Sturgeon Lake which Aaron spotted.

We canoed a few miles to our campsight where we quickly chose our tent sites. Since our tents were still wet from last night's storm, we let them air out. Wood was chopped and we prepared the night's meal -- macaroni and cheese. Dinner was devoured along with our barely decent desert. Now as this memorable day comes to an end, a spot in one of the four tents awaits a good night's sleep. And though the recollections of this day are being read in the way I experienced them, we will each have our own personal memories of July 7, 1990.

Day 3 - Sturgeon Lake to Russell Lake

As I sit here listening to Grand rapids roaring in the distance, I recall the day.

We got up at 8:00 a.m. to the tap, tap of rain on the tent fly. We got dressed and packed our packs. After breakfast we loaded the canoes and paddled to Blueberry Island. At first I thought it was called Blueberry Island because it was so small, but I found that when we got there it was covered with blueberry bushes. The group stayed there for about an hour. While we were there we swam, fished, and sunbathed. There were a few ripe berries, but not many. As time went on, the sky began to clear.

As we paddled from Sturgeon Lake to Russell Lake we encountered an island where we ate lunch and fished for about an hour. The island is in the Maligne River with fast water flowing on both sides. After lunch we were visited by two park rangers who checked our permits and fishing licenses.

We looked on the map and saw that we were going to come to a portage on the Maligne River and could not figure out why it was there. Soon we found out that it was a section of fast water and we were going upstream. We decided what the heck we'll canoe it. We made it after a couple tries. So now we know why the portage is there.

We paddled another 3 miles to our present campsite at Russell Lake near Chatterton Falls where we will have our layover day tomorrow. We have been fishing, doing laundry, and exploring. A while ago I saw the most spectacular site. Aaron, Jason, David, and I watched the sunset. It was great. Now that the day comes to a close the horizon is beautiful.

Day 4 - Layover Day at Russell Lake

When we woke up this morning, we were all excited about the layover day. Not only that, all of our stomachs were growling with hunger. So we had a special brunch that consisted of oatmeal, Paul Bunyan pancakes that we each made ourselves, and hot chocolate.

After brunch, Mike, Dave and I went fishing, but didn't catch anything. Then everyone went fishing 1/2 mile away at Chatterton Falls. I went with Aaron while everyone else went with C.J. Later Dave and Mike joined Aaron and me. Chatterton Falls is a very beautiful long section of the Maligne River that is filled with water falls, rapids, and rocks. There is a trail all along the river so we were able to explore, take photos, and fish.

Although fishing was slow at first, it picked up somewhat. C.J. was the first to catch a keeper, then Dave a little later. Aaron caught lots of fish. The next person to catch a keeper was Tony. Then I caught a final fish after a frustating no-luck day. C.J., Aaron, Dave and I went lake fishing later, but caught nothing but heavy winds and tough paddling.

And now as I write the log, eager for the fish dinner, I think about the hard paddling days that lay ahead, and am excited about seeing more of the Quetico. Now as I begin to finish my entry in the log sitting on a rocky point, overlooking the lake with the wind blowing in my face, I think of the saying, "Boys, it doesn't get any better than this."

For dinner we had fried bass fillets, potatoes, and a phenomenal white cake with chocolate frosting made by Eric. Oh! I almost forgot, last night after dinner everyone stayed up to gaze at the stars in all their majesty. Although we also waited for the northern lights, we never actually saw them. After we were done stargazing, we all lay down for a long sleep. And now as everyone is dreaming, I close this section of the log looking over the lake thinking, if beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then Canada is beheld by the entire world.

Day 5 - Russell Lake to Walter Lake (as told by Tony)

Today we woke up at 5:00 a.m. so we could row without the wind. We didn't want to go at first but C.J and Aaron made us, and we were on our way. A little while after we crossed Russell Lake both Aaron's and C.J.'s canoes ran aground in the middle of the lake. We took a picture of Nathan on the rock, and it looked like he was walking on water. After a tough portage we stopped on a rock and took a group photo and tried to avoid the bird doo.

A little later, we were drinking with the Classic Vlassic and Mike threw it to Aaron, the good man. Arron didn't see it coming until Mike shouted "Look Out!" As Aaron was trying to avoid being decapitated by the Classic Vlassic, he and his bowman Eric unavoidily turned over and swamped the canoe with a shout or two of displeasure. After righting the canoe we rowed to a rock to rest and dry out. We picked a few blueberries at this spot for tomorrow's pie.

After we dried out we had two small portages up Lonely Creek. A little while later we realized that Nathan, C.J., and I had forgotten the sponge at the last portage and had to return to get it. While the others waited, we went back and we also took a small swim while getting the sponge which was floating away down the creek. We then began to look for a place to eat lunch. We found a small place and began to eat pilot biscuits as the flies swarmed around us. Before we left this spot we initiated our second Classic Vlassic. We then went on to stop at another place to rest, sunbathe, and swim. We spent a lot of time there.

We passed through two other portages and finally arrived at Walter Lake, to find our campsite occupied. So we looked for another place and we find ourselves on this rock. It is not good but is will serve us. There was good fishing after the spaghetti dinner.

El Final.

Day 6 - Walter Lake to Batchawang Lake (as told by Eric)

Last night was a very special time for all of us because we received our tams. We had a camp fire and a special ceremony. Everyone but Aaron received one. Aaron didn't receive one because they were short one on the order.

This morning we woke and got dressed and ate breakfast quickly, and were on the water to our first portage. It was short. Then we paddled into Elizabeth Lake. Then we had a long portage to get to Jesse Lake. It was 740 meters. Wow! Then we got to another portage which we were warned about because of the mud. When we got there it was very very muddy. But we did it anyway. It was only 710 meters. There were logs laid down in the muddiest sections and we had to step very carefully.

We were in Maria Lake. Then we took one more portage which would take us into Pickerel Lake again. It happened to be only 270 meters. By then we were all tired and hungry, so we paddled a little farther and stopped for our last lunch. It would be our last time for pilot buscuits and Pringles. Then after that we took an hour long rest period. When we woke up we found Tony and Alex each sleeping in two different canoes. Somehow they started floating away but they eventually got back to shore.

We then took off for Batchawang Bay, then through Batchawang Lake. We tried to find a campsite, but the one we were going to take was occupied. But we went on and found a nice campsite. Tomorrow we will only have a couple of miles before we get to our pick up point.

Tonight we had turkey tetrazzini, onion soup, chocolate pudding, and to top off the last dinner of our trip we had blueberry pie.

And I would like to close with these last words. This has been the best trip yet.

Day 7 - Batchawang Lake to Camp (as told by Alex)

Today we woke up at 7:30 and found out that we had miscounted and were short one breakfast. So we had an unusual breakfast of frog legs, cheese, blapple pie (blueberry and apple), two small bass, and hot chocolate. Then we paddled to the biggest portage of the trip. It was not hard but very tiring.

We then paddled to a small island in Nym Lake but were soon chased away by a flock of seagulls. After that we arrived on a flat rock outcropping and C.J. performed the Man of the North Ceremony. Soon after, we paddled to the dock where we took our last group photo and began to wait for Mike. Mike arrived in a few minutes and we loaded the van and were on our way back to camp.

After crossing the border and being searched we ate ice cream at Bridgeman's in International Falls.

The van ride was a fun ending to a great trip and great experience!

Note From CJ

Congratulations to all the crew for doing such a good job on their first wilderness trip. We were a good team and we all had a very fun and safe trip.

Thanks also to Aaron for his leadership and assistance in guiding the trip.

We will all be on future trips which will be longer and more challenging. Other trips may be two or even three weeks long, more remote, with fewer other people, better fishing, more whitewater, bigger cliffs, etc. But there is always something special about your first trip in the Canadian wilderness. I hope you will always remember your first trip with fond memories.

Thanks to all of you for doing a good job in the writing of this log, especially our Mexican campers Alex and Tony who both learned a lot of English on the trip. The log will serve to document our adventures and experiences which we shared on the Russell Lake trip of 1990.

I hope we can paddle together again,

      Chris Endres

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