We reached the south end of High Falls Lake shortly before two in the afternoon, and made the half kilometer portage to St. Andrews Lake in one trip. The portage follows the Barron River as it drains St. Andrews Lake to High Falls Lake, but High Falls themselves are not on this course of the river, but on the course that drains Stratton Lake to High Falls Lake.
Nevertheless, this course of the river has a spectacular lower fall, numerous rapids, and a large bouldery fall near the top. The portage rises about twenty meters, but is a nice easy walk. We took a second break at the put in at St. Andrews Lake, then made our way down a short way to the portage to Marie Lake.
The Portage from St. Andrews Lake to Marie Lake was particularly brutal, as it was the longest at about 750 meters, and had a roughly eighty meter rise followed by a forty meter drop. The first fifty meters was a very steep slope. We did this in two trips, one with packs, and second with the canoe.
Marie Lake was small, and just a hundred yards or so from the put-in was one of only two campsites on the lake. It looked good from a distance, and better from up close, so we started a fire, set up the tent, and relaxed before dinner.
Looking north over High Falls Lake, the Bob Special 15 is at the take out for the portage to St. Andrews Lake, directly behind me.
The put in at St. Andrews Lake, looking south.
Alexander showing off his scout knife, purchased in San Diego, at two points on the portage.
Alexander recharging himself before we set off for the Marie Lake portage.
The only seemingly flat section of the portage to Marie Lake, Alexander with his pack and the paddles.
Approaching the camp site we chose at Marie Lake. Tall white pines, a carpet of pine needles, and quite level - perfect.
The tent that got us into this adventure... it was simple to set up, roomy, light, and kept us dry.
We found enough dried or rotted dead wood for a fire for a few hours, and cooked dinner on an MSR whisperlite stove, in front of Alexander.
No comments:
Post a Comment