BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE : (Part 1 of 3)

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area – BWCA located within the Superior National Forest in Northern Minnesota provides a truly unique vast wilderness experience. It’s huge expanse of lakes intertwined with random portages expedites an amazing opportunity like no other for a wilderness adventure! Follow along on our BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE!

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“Nature is one of the most underutilized treasures in life. It has the power to unburden hearts and reconnect to that inner place of peace.”

— Janice Anderson

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The Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) located within the Superior National Forest in Northern Minnesota offers adventure, wilderness, canoeing, portaging and camping opportunities. These wilderness adventures should NOT be entered into lightly. Careful planning alongside skilled guidance from others of experience or a professional outfitter’s preparation and route plan are essential to a successful outcome. Even the most skilled, prepared, experienced travelers can experience peril!

Our family has been traveling within the BWCA for 20+ years. This hiking (portaging) trip into the wilderness involves navigation of a series of lakes. We fish to eat, and move camp as we go. My first trip was the first summer after I married my husband in 1997. His family had already learned the “smart way” to experience this rugged wilderness through other’s expertise as well as through trial and error.

Each year a new way to be smarter or wiser evolves in the group of no more than 9 people and 4 canoes (permit restrictions). From lighter more efficient packed gear, to tastier and easier food ideas, each year we discover new ways of improving the ease of the trips. Greater enjoyment is found through ease of packing when portaging a lighter, smarter pack!

Another BWCA Adventure can be found here: CLICK HERE!

Here are other blog posts of similar adventures in the BWCA:

BWCA-PERILOUS WILDERNESS ADVENTURE: (PART 1 OF 3 PART SERIES)

BWCA-PERILOUS WILDERNESS ADVENTURE: (PART 2 OF 3 PART SERIES)

BWCA-PERILOUS WILDERNESS ADVENTURE: (PART 3 of 3 PART SERIES)

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PROLOGUE:

If one has never ventured into the BWCA on a circuit of wilderness over the course of several days, you just really have no idea what you are in for…

Well, one must consider the perils of nature first and foremost. Horrific storms have been known to blow into the BWCA from out of nowhere and blow massive trees over on campers. Wind storms have been known to take canoes right up off land and hurl them into the lake stranding campers. Lightning strikes have sparked forest fires that have burned thousands of acres and trapped people in the wilderness. Bear, moose, wolves, and other wild animals are present and must be respected with proper care of your provisions.

Awareness of your surroundings and ALWAYS tying off your canoe when on shore are essential behaviors. So many things can go wrong when you are 3 days away from your vehicle that is parked 2 hours away from civilization and no cell signal! One miss-step can alter the entire “planned trip” if leaving to seek medical attention is required.

The BWCA can be a dangerous place for BOTH those that are unfamiliar with it AND for those that are experienced. Proper respect for the WILDERNESS is necessary at all times. A leave no trace mentality must be observed.

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If you have not read Part #2 of this series then click here to read: BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE : (Part 2 of 3 part series)

If you have not read Part #3 of this series then click here to read: BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE : (Part 3 of 3 part series)

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BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE : (Part 1 of 3)

PREPARATION & PLANNING

Early August of 2021, we joined forces with close friends of our family to once again return to the BWCA! Cherokee Lake was on our radar. Our group leader was our pal, Joe. We had taken him on this style trip before and he was ready to head up being the team leader, plan the trip destination, type of fishing lakes, and meals. He planned the majority of the trip and provisions with our limited guidance.

He was super excited to explore this new area that he had never experienced before. Planning an excursion and executing that excursion can be two dramatically different events, so our voice of reason and reality was present.

Every pack item’s weight must be considered. I have learned over the years that ounces add up to pounds quickly. An overly heavy pack is miserable when items could have been switched out for less heavy items that achieve the same ends. Smart organizational items like this hammock strap that doubles as a cup/pack holder around your tree is perfect! The duration of this trip you carry ALL of your packed items…daily. Wisdom is key!

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BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE : (Part 1 of 3)

DEPARTURE DAY

We departed from our Northern Lower Peninsula Michigan starting point early morning on a Saturday and drove a little over Eleven hours (568 miles) to Sawbill Canoe Outfitters outside of Tofte, MN. We planned to stay that night at Sawbill campground where we would be leaving our vehicle when we entered the BWCA through entry point #38 at day break on Sunday.

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PART 1:

BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE : (Part 1 of 3)

SATURDAY DRIVING and MAKING CAMP AT SAWBILL LAKE CAMP GROUND

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We arrived at Sawbill Lake Campground around 4pm to set up the BASECAMP group tent (for the first night in SAWBILL only), get our bearings, organize any last minute pack adjustments and make dinner before bugs and dusk hit. We had organized our fishing licenses and BWCA permit requirement prior to arriving, so the paperwork end of our trip was complete already.

Joe grilled Fillet steaks and noodles cooked over a gas grill, as Superior National Forest had issued a fire ban. Apparently, Minnesota has endured a severe drought this past summer and forest fires have been a significant problem. So, no fires for us while in the wilderness! This will be a first!

We planned an early start in the morning as we had our sights on a series of island campsite choices on CHEROKEE LAKE. We hoped these would not already be taken by the time we arrived mid-day Sunday.

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BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE : (Part 1 of 3)

DAY 1 – SAWBILL LAKE to CHEROKEE LAKE – (9.7 miles 1 way; 8.3 paddle, 1.4 portage)

Waking up at the crack of light. We quickly made egg & sausage biscuit sandwiches, 2 for everyone! Well fueled up it was time to load up and head out! Breaking this camp down, packing it away in our vehicles that would be left behind in the parking lot at Sawbill, we began preparing to leave at the water’s edge of Sawbill Lake. Now…THE FUN BEGINS!

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We paddled the length of Sawbill Lake easily 4.5 miles to the 80 rod portage that will take us into Ada Creek (dried up).

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From here we paddled and portaged another 80 rod portage into Ada Lake then paddled to the next 92 rod portage into Skoop Lake. This stretch led into the 180 rod portage plus a lot more when we discovered that the approximately 1 mile long CHEROKEE RIVER water levels were so low that the river bed was muck and mud. We portaged on… The water you see below is the dried up river of CHEROKEE CREEK that feeds into CHEROKEE LAKE.

Watch the video below to see what I’m talking about!

We walked the rocks on the sides to stay out of the mud. Certain sections we could float our canoe from shallow mud patch to shallow mud patch to get through. Wet footing it was wise this year!

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“God is discovered entirely through creation – the brilliance of a sunset, the powerful roar of a waterfall, the symphony of sounds you hear in the heart of the forest, or the vastness of space and its countless stars.”

— Benjamin Sullivan

Cherokee Creek leads into Cherokee Lake. This is quite a large lake approximately 2 miles of paddling led us to our island campsite. We arrived around noon after all the additional portaging.

YAHOO! It is open and available. It is perfect for 8 hammocks. Check out this amazing kitchen seating! BLESSED!

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Once we arrived and made camp at this amazing location (set up hammocks, installed our rope pulley system for food storage in trees, set-up water purifier station) ate lunch, and cleaned up, and cooled off with a swim…it was nap time or fishing time or whatever one wanted to do for the afternoon. I chose to soak up the spectacular view. This afternoon was about relaxing!

We had pork loins and shell macaroni and cheese for dinner, so afternoon fishing was purely recreational!

Nature along the way on this trip is amazing! So many beautiful creations that God shares with us, if we only look around and take them in… Do you take time in your travels to reflect on the smallest beauty surrounding you?

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“I believe the world is incomprehensibly beautiful an endless prospect of magic and wonder.“

Ansel Adams

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,

or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;

or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,

or let the fish in the sea inform you.

Which of all these does not know

that the hand of the Lord has done this?

In His hand is the life of every creature

and the breath of all mankind.

Job 12:7-10

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The sunset was spectacular, the night peaceful, and the sunrise beautiful from my hammock!

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BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE : (Part 1 of 3)

DAY 2 – Settle into camp explore CHEROKEE LAKE & swim, fish GORDON LAKE – (5.4 miles paddle round trip)

COFFEE in the wilderness! It has never tasted better to sip and breathe in the fresh clean wilderness air, hear the sounds of nature, and the lapping of the lake water. The mist of the morning hovering around is magical.

PANCAKES for breakfast this morning with bacon! What a treat in the wilderness! It is a fabulous luxury!! The guys had gone out early fishing on the misty lake morning to catch and release and had limited success!

The guys were keen to explore this lake and all it had to offer. It turned into a fairly warm day and that led to swimming! It was a good day to relax, talk, and plan our excursions. A trip up to Gordon Lake was hatched. 28 rods North would lead to Gordon Lake.

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It was a great day, made even better by the fish dinner and skipping rocks at sunset!

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BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE : (Part 1 of 3)

DAY 2: A SIDE NOTE

“Nothing lives long, Only the earth and mountains”

— Dee Brown

MEMORY LANE

The irony of spending so much time on Gordon Lake was not lost on us! My husband’s father’s name was Gordon. He was the family BWCA pioneer who introduced this wilderness to my husband’s family all those years ago.

Today as I write this post, it is his birthday. So here is to you, Gordon! Thank you to you and Doris for introducing us to this vast, wonderful wilderness experience! We love and miss you both tremendously. The family is not the same without you present, nor will it ever be again. Nor are the wilderness excursions!

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~In loving memory of Gordon & Doris Robinson

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BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE : (Part 1 of 3)

DEEP CONTEMPLATION OF THE QUIET

God travels with each of us daily, not just when we feel close to Him in nature! Start your day talking to Him. Share your burdens, ask for His guidance, plead with Him for wisdom. Put on your protective “armor” each day. Earthly distractions overwhelm. Let God’s grace be a comfort daily. Seek an inner-stillness quest!

Try to find beauty in ALL of His creation. Seek quiet for contemplation and introspection often.

Take God along with you throughout each day, don’t shut Him out by not including Him in your life. Especially in these crazy COVID days, seek His guidance, comfort, and peace. His grace IS ENOUGH!

We were truly blessed to have this experience again this summer. What a great respite from hand sanitizer and masks! It was such a blessing to get off the crazy COVID train for a short period and feel normal with a group of amazing people!

Are you able to figure out a way to keep your sanity amidst all the angst of COVID? Where have you been? What have you done to provide a respite from this ordeal for your family? How are you doing coping?

Leave me a reply below. I really would like to hear from you!

Inspirationally Yours,

Barbara

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BIO: https://www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com/about-us/

About Me

A 1993 graduate of Michigan State University, Barbara earned a BS in Social Science Pre-Law. She is a Business Manager/HR Director. Her passion is travel, discovering new places, experiences, cuisine, cultures while enjoying temperate climates. Barbara is a newly transitioning empty-nester who became a travel blogger. She’s a great photographer, talented writer, and has a great family to highlight in her high school/college athlete football sons.

WEBSITE: www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com

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BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE : (Part 1 of 3)

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Pin it for later: Inspirational Travel Adventures – #10

BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE : (Part 1 of 3)

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BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE : (Part 1 of 3)

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Pin it for later: Inspirational Travel Adventures – #10

BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE : (Part 1 of 3)

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BWCA – CHEROKEE LAKE ADVENTURE : (Part 1 of 3)

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Pin it for later: Inspirational Travel Adventures – #10

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