The Boundary Waters Canoe Area – BWCA offers adventure, wilderness, canoeing, portaging and camping opportunities can be a perilous wilderness adventure.
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“The wilderness rescued me. I have been shaped by my experiences in the great outdoors. Feeling comfortable in the wild gave me the confidence to be who I am, not who others want me to be.”
~Ben Fogle
Fisher Map with personal notes from my wall – 2020
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! We did, so be sure to read all three parts of this exciting adventure!!
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!
Late July-early August of 2020, we joined forces with my husband’s brothers family once again to return to Adams Lake, a favorite spot for all of us! We departed in the evening on a Thursday and drove through the night from Michigan to Minnesota to arrive at Kawishiwi Lake entrance point #37 at day break.
I’ve been asked what is so perilous about this adventure… If one has never ventured into the BWCA on a circuit of wilderness over the course of several days then this may very well be a legitimate question because until you experience it, you just really have no idea what you are in for…
Well, to answer this question 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.
Awareness of your surroundings and ALWAYS tying off your canoe are paramount. 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 as occurred to our group in Part#2 (this part) of this series can alter the entire “planned trip” if leaving to seek medical attention is required. We chose to wait and see how the deeply cut injury fared with bandaging instead of stitches once the blood loss was controlled because we were in such a remote area.
The BWCA can be a dangerous place for BOTH those that are unfamiliar with it AND for those that are experienced…as the story indicates.
This series is aimed at the multitude of novice adventurers flocking to the BWCA. Many have no idea what they are getting into when they venture into wilderness for the first time. Many are not mindful of the trash that is being left behind or the nature wonders that are being destroyed by their lack of stewardship.
Peril does not ONLY necessitate a rogue bear harassing a food pack, severe storms or fire….injuries that require medical attention and alter a trip suffice. Even experienced travelers in the BWCA can experience different degrees of peril, hence the warnings of this post!
BWCA – A PERILOUS WILDERNESS ADVENTURE
DAY 3 – DAY TRIP TO BOULDER LAKE – (approximately 6 miles – round trip)
After a really great night sleep filled with intermittent rain, we awoke on Adams Lake Island campsite to a bright, sunny, slightly windy day! PANCAKES were for breakfast with bacon! We are planning a BIG day, so loading up on calories is essential. After breakfast, we had a group meeting on the day’s activities. It was decided to spend the day fishing (for our dinner) on a course up to Boulder Lake. We planned to have lunch on the island campsite there then fish our way back to our base camp here at Adams Lake. A side excursion would be to explore JUG Lake (a lake on the map, but without navigable portage on the map.)
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Notice the DOWN or DEAD WOOD we pulled from the woods to use as a tarp pole. NEVER cut a living tree here.
After breakfast, dishes were completed and a DAY PACK was prepared with all the items we would need for the day including rain gear, lunch, snacks, water pumping equipment for refilling water supplies for the day and fishing gear. We headed out towards Boulder Lake. Fishing was plentiful!
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Portaging your canoe and the canoes contents across land to re-enter water on an adjacent lake is the process of travel in the wilderness. Sometimes the portages are quite overgrown from dis-use the further away from civilization you travel. These can become a bit more of a challenge, but remain passable if one is determined.
It was on this portage into Boulder Lake that my sister-in-law ended up with a fishing lure treble hook lodged deeply in her pinky finger. The wind was blowing pretty hard down the lake and funneling into the open space were we were re-launching canoes into the lake. We could hear her yelp of pain from Boulder Lake where we were already fishing as the lure had to be cut from her hand as the barb did it’s job of catching her deep in her tissue. The barb couldn’t be pushed through and couldn’t be pulled out, so it had to be cut out. She was a trooper. I’m sure it hurt horribly.
She fashioned her own field dressing with style too! We did have hand sanitizer with us from the TP/bathroom bag in our supplies so that did the trick until we could get back to basecamp where the full first aid kit was located.
Lunch was spent exploring the island campsite here on Boulder Lake. We cleaned our fish, packaged them in a cooler bag for transport and enjoyed the moment in this lovely spot until… Oooh! I really hate being startled by snakes! I can handle many things, but NOT SNAKES!!!!! There were 3 slithering around…GOODBYE Boulder Lake Island Campsite!
Half of our group of eight went to explore JUG Lake (located across from the campsite) on the opposite shore and the other half took the packaged fish cooler bag back the three miles to Adams Lake and our campsite.
The day had warmed up and the four of us were really excited to return to our island to swim, get clean, and change into new clothes that were not fishy or smokey. We quickly returned, changed and went to jump in the lake.
This particular campsite location has a slope of rock that descends into the water around the island. It is a bit slimy on the rocks from water covering and can become quite slippery. Galen did not want his (camp shoes) water shoes to get wet so he decided to go barefoot into the water. BIG MISTAKE!
Unfortunately, this is where disaster occured. He slipped on the slime and his foot slid down the descending decline into the water. Another very sharp rock was protruding from under water and sliced between his toes to cut deeply into the underside of his toes as he slammed down onto the rocks with his body weight gaining a rug burn from rock slide down the back of his elbow and arm. The blood began gushing!
It took a bit of compression to gain control of the blood loss and calm assessment to determine that this was not a trip ending injury that required stitches. We cleaned the wound, bandaged him up, antibacterial treated and taped the injured area with gauze to the next toe and around the foot. We did have superglue on hand but determined due to the location of the injury to wait and assess…We decided that both Galen & my sister-in-law would be fine if they kept their respective wounds clean and bandaged daily.
After this, we did bounce back with a fabulous fish fry from our full stringers of the days bounty. (Pictures were taken on Boulder Lake prior to the snake episode!)
We re-grouped this evening thankful for a great dinner and that God had provided plentiful fish for us. The injuries could have been much worse, and we were thankful that Galen seemed fairly un-phased by this horrific loss of substantial blood and that my sister-in-law’s finger, quickly disinfected and bandaged also seemed to be on the road to healing as well…
It took a while to control their bleeding, but then it just stopped and after binding the injury and taking it easy for the remainder of the afternoon, both seemed fine. We planned to be extremely cautious about cleaning, hand sanitizing, and rebandaging them with antibacterial cream and clean bandages daily! It was time to relax around the campfire and await the moon rising!!
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We climbed into our hammocks/tents for the night with full bellies and gratitude for another wondrous day!
BWCA – A PERILOUS WILDERNESS ADVENTURE
DAY 4 – DAY TRIP TO SMITE LAKE, BEAVER LAKE, ADAMS LAKE LOOP – (approximately 8-9 mile trip)
We awoke early on Day 4 for coffee and an oatmeal and English Muffin breakfast on this brisk, wilderness lake morning on Adams Lake. It was a peaceful, beautiful view. Over breakfast another vote was conducted to day trip again today fishing around the SMITE, BEAVER LAKE, ADAMS LOOP. We again packed a day pack with all the items we would need for the day including rain gear, a soup lunch, a small stove and everyone’s cup and 1 spoon for each person, snacks, water pumping equipment for refilling water supplies for the day and fishing gear. We headed out fishing as we wandered around this magnificent loop of wilderness!
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portage from Adams Lake to Smite Lake can be tricky (low water)- very remote
We have fished this loop several times before. The water was substantially low. The fishing was favorable. The sun came out and the day increasingly warmed up! It was a Travel Destination Tranquility!
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Currently booking orders for custom made white cedar canoe 1 year in advance @ www.robinsonwoodshop.com
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We fished until lunch time then moved on to complete the loop and return to camp. Once again the fishing was plentiful and we were very blessed with a fabulous fish dinner! The boys even caught 2 fish on one lure!
Completing this loop, we were making our way back to Adams Lake Island Campsite where we had base camp set up and we saw this canoe headed in our direction. Both front and rear paddlers were using kayak paddles. This is an unusual experience because usually we are the only people we encounter using kayak paddles in the rear with our canoes (one can cover a substantial amount of miles easily with a strong kayak paddle paddling the rear of your canoe). This young couple paddles near our island as we are landing. These are the first 2 legged creatures we have seen outside of our group for days… look at what he had just caught! THAT IS A LARGE PIKE! WE SWAM IN THAT WATER!!!! AHHHHH!!!!!
Photo credit Micheal Grabosch
Photo credit Micheal Grabosch
It was really great to talk to another BWCA enthusiast to share tricks, equipment knowledge, etc. He was a stellar find! It’s neat to experience the awe of nature through other’s eyes and become inspired by their motivation and drive for something you are so passionate about too! He posted a cool quote on his FB page. “My first trips to BWCA I was soooo focused on not getting lost. NOW that is all I try and do.”
Our time on Adams Lake was coming to a close. We planned to depart this location early Day 5 moving to Amber Lake for Day 6 before needing to depart BWCA on Day 7. Below is a three minute video of trip highlights. ENJOY!
Stay tuned to for Part 3 of this series to learn about the CRAZY BIG FINISH that happened on Day 7. UNBELIEVABLE!!
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!
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!
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,
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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.
TRAVEL BLOG🛩 * ADVENTURE🛶 * INSPIRATION🌞
Thanks for exploring our travel blog! We hope to assist you in your next adventure through learning from ours! We are transitioning empty-nesters perpetually seeking our next luxury snorkeling adventure! Daily God’s awe inspiring inspiration surrounds us with all of His natural beauty in every direction if we but slow down to observe. Take a moment each day to ENJOY!
What a great family adventure! I’ve been doing a lot of paddle boarding and kayaking in recent years, but your post makes me want to get back in a canoe again!
Looks like a great place for outdoor adventures. A few weeks ago I got snagged by a hook in my arm while working on casting with my four year old. Ouch.
I am definitely enjoying your series. I remember being in Canada and canoeing, thinking to myself – hardly anyone has been out here. We would see moose and eagle and it was amazing. Sorry for your injuries – but that is part of the trip as you have said. I am still stuck on the pancakes and bacon breakfast at the beginning of your post. Love the photos. Thanks.
We had pork loin marinated 4 different ways (packed in frozen), velveeta shells and cheese mac n cheese on night 1 too! We’ve perfected a rather wonderful menu!
We’ve done a lot to make the menu a treat for everyone! Pork Loin on day 1, a thanksgiving dinner version too! Blackened fish, macaroni and cheese (velveeta shells)!
I haven’t been able to travel much with COVID, but the state that my family and I live in is opened up enough to where we can still go out and do some fun activities together.
Good thing you guys had some serious first aid equipment with you! And using fallen or dead wood for the tarp poles was a good idea. Looks like it worked out great.
Sometimes in the middle of the night, when all is still and peaceful. Just sitting and looking up at the night sky is the deepest form of PEACEFULNESS that I have ever known.
Sometimes in the middle of the night, when all is still and peaceful. Just sitting and looking up at the night sky is the deepest form of PEACEFULNESS that I have ever known.
Wow – Day three was outrageously crazy for you guys! The pictures made me cringe but noticed the smile on Galen’s face as if it was no big deal! What troopers! I am not sure I am cut out for this all out hiking stuff!
Love your series so far! Even the gadgets and snakes make for a great story! What a wonderful way to spend time with family! Peaceful waters and no devices!
This looks and sounds like such a beautiful place. It’s making me want to get out. It’s been 8 years since I’ve backpacked, not so much fun with littles a nursing babies. 😆
We’ve been to my family’s cabin and have plans to go back and go camping in a few weeks.
Wow, what a fantastic place. We live close to so many stunning lakes in northern Canada, but unfortunately haven’t explored yet, as we aren’t confident paddlers/explorers. This is inspiring.
This post makes me want to go camping right now! The area is so beautiful. I’m sorry about your sister-in-law and your husband’s injuries. Those do not look fun!
Wow. Day 3 was certainly a crazy day! I am happy that neither were too badly hurt and that they were able to continue on! I can’t wait to read about what happens in the next installment!
You guys are absolute pros! I have so much respect for the amount of details y’all put into this trip! If I could convince my family to do something like this, I would be all over it!
You guys seem to be very experienced in everything outdoorsy! I’m sorry there were some wounds, I hope they are doing better. Your blog post series is Super interesting! Thanks 4 sharing!
Barbara, your adventures always amaze me. I love the pictures and enjoy your posts. It looks like you all had a fantastic time except for the snakes and your sister-in-law, and Galen’s injuries. Your sister-in-law sounds like a real trooper. I don’t think I could’ve withstood the pain of cutting the lure off my finger. Wow.
That is really great you and your family had to opportunity to meet up in such a great area and have a chance at some peace and normalacy in these crazy times. That’s so important to be able to enjoy life the way you want to and not the way others tell you.
I’m from beautiful Colorado nothing really changed for me. Living on a farm and having distance already on my side was a blessing. COVID didn’t affect us here and my son’s were able to come home and enjoy things that they couldn’t from the city. Truly was thankful and grateful, God is good ❤️
As soon as I see that gorgeous canoe, I know it’s going to be an awesome adventure!! This one did not disappoint, what an experience! My husband wants to take our day hikes to a new level, I shared it with him. He wants to go with you! Great read! Thank you!
This looks like a beautiful area! It’s so great you got to spend that good quality time with your family doing what you all seem to love! I love to kayak and canoe, but I’m not sure I am ready for a trip like this yet! haha
65 Comments
Linda Egeler
What a great family adventure! I’ve been doing a lot of paddle boarding and kayaking in recent years, but your post makes me want to get back in a canoe again!
Barbara Robinson
I’m glad to inspire! It is a wonderful experience that always draws us all closer as a bonded unit passing through God’s creation in awe.
Cecile Leger
Sound like a great family adventure minus these little accidents. So glad you guys had a first aid kit.
Alyssa
Aside from the cuts/gashes looks like you all had an amazing time! Great photos!
Pauline
Looks like a great place for outdoor adventures. A few weeks ago I got snagged by a hook in my arm while working on casting with my four year old. Ouch.
Deb
Family and friend trips are the best! So many great memories made. Glad no serious injuries on your challenging adventures!
Beth Shields
I am definitely enjoying your series. I remember being in Canada and canoeing, thinking to myself – hardly anyone has been out here. We would see moose and eagle and it was amazing. Sorry for your injuries – but that is part of the trip as you have said. I am still stuck on the pancakes and bacon breakfast at the beginning of your post. Love the photos. Thanks.
Barbara Robinson
We had pork loin marinated 4 different ways (packed in frozen), velveeta shells and cheese mac n cheese on night 1 too! We’ve perfected a rather wonderful menu!
Maggie
Ready for part 3! 🙌
Barbara Robinson
🙂
Megan
looks beautiful! What a fun time, except the cuts and snakes!
Barbara Robinson
Agree!
Leeandra
Looks like an amazing family trip!
Holly
Such wonderful experiences, minus the injuries! Can’t wait to read the 3rd part of the series!
Barbara Robinson
THE BIG FINISH was epic! 🙂
Sabrina DeWalt
I am so happy that the injuries were relatively minor and you were able to continue your adventure. Looks like you had some really good eating!
Barbara Robinson
We’ve done a lot to make the menu a treat for everyone! Pork Loin on day 1, a thanksgiving dinner version too! Blackened fish, macaroni and cheese (velveeta shells)!
Alexis Farmer
Sorry about the wounds but looks like a good time otherwise! Makes me really want to go camping and fishing.
Charlene Hartley
I love reading about your adventures!
Lisa Manderino
This looks like an amazing trip! It is so nice to get outside!
Tricia Snow
Great info!
heather J jandrue
Wow, what an adventure! I know quite a few people that would love this.
kate
I haven’t been able to travel much with COVID, but the state that my family and I live in is opened up enough to where we can still go out and do some fun activities together.
Chelsea
Good thing you guys had some serious first aid equipment with you! And using fallen or dead wood for the tarp poles was a good idea. Looks like it worked out great.
Amy
Minus the injury, it seems like you guys had a really good time. Can’t wait to get away with my family. We def need out of this house.
Cindy Mailhot
Looks like some fun mixed in with some ouch! Dangerous stuff out there. At the snakes portion of the trip I would have high-tailed it home!
Barbara Robinson
I cannot abide snakes too!
Sara
Sounds like quite the adventure. I can’t wait for our camping trip in a few weeks. I’m ready to spend some time outdoors.
Casandra
What an epic journey!
Beth
I have to say I cringed a bit at the injuries but also marveled at the beauty of the surroundings – it must be so quiet there.
Barbara Robinson
Sometimes in the middle of the night, when all is still and peaceful. Just sitting and looking up at the night sky is the deepest form of PEACEFULNESS that I have ever known.
Barbara Robinson
Sometimes in the middle of the night, when all is still and peaceful. Just sitting and looking up at the night sky is the deepest form of PEACEFULNESS that I have ever known.
Lisa S
Sorry about the wound! The trip looks incredible! Thank you for sharing your adventure, the good and the bad!
Danielle Ardizzone
Aside from the mishap with the fishing lure, it looks like you all had a fantastic time!
Bonnie
Can’t wait to read the next post on this. What a wonderful trip (minus the snakes-lol)!
judean
Wow – Day three was outrageously crazy for you guys! The pictures made me cringe but noticed the smile on Galen’s face as if it was no big deal! What troopers! I am not sure I am cut out for this all out hiking stuff!
Marianne
Love your series so far! Even the gadgets and snakes make for a great story! What a wonderful way to spend time with family! Peaceful waters and no devices!
Stephanie
This looks and sounds like such a beautiful place. It’s making me want to get out. It’s been 8 years since I’ve backpacked, not so much fun with littles a nursing babies. 😆
We’ve been to my family’s cabin and have plans to go back and go camping in a few weeks.
Amanda
Beautiful landscape pics and yikes! Scary accidents! I hope everyone is healing. Still looks like a fun adventure!
Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life
So glad all are ok on this exciting adventure. And what a delicious one it was too 🙂
Donna
Wow, what a fantastic place. We live close to so many stunning lakes in northern Canada, but unfortunately haven’t explored yet, as we aren’t confident paddlers/explorers. This is inspiring.
Cindy Mailhot
Looks like you caught some great fish and some not so great injuries!
Missy
Great job on the catch. WOW. We also like fishing.
Stacey Billingsley
This post makes me want to go camping right now! The area is so beautiful. I’m sorry about your sister-in-law and your husband’s injuries. Those do not look fun!
Pam
I’m so amazed by this adventure – it looks like you guys are having a blast and what wonderful memories, but jeez, so out of my comfort zone!
Barbara Robinson
It was out of my comfort zone the first time too!
melissa
Wow. Day 3 was certainly a crazy day! I am happy that neither were too badly hurt and that they were able to continue on! I can’t wait to read about what happens in the next installment!
Leeanne
Wow, you guys caught a lot of fish. Super cool though. My husband would love this trip for sure.
Brianna Creef
You guys are absolute pros! I have so much respect for the amount of details y’all put into this trip! If I could convince my family to do something like this, I would be all over it!
Chantelle
This day looks like it took its toll on you guys! I love the bandaid! The fish look great too! I’m loving this series!
kmf
Thank you for sharing the beauty of Minnesota! You are a true adventurer and a Boundary Waters expert!
Trisha
This looks like the perfect place to get away from it all! I can’t believe all of those beautiful fish everyone caught! I bet it was delicious!
Cindy Moore
Such an amazing experience! Glad the injuries didn’t require anyone to leave.
heather J jandrue
Ohhh that wound looks painful!
Alexandra
You guys seem to be very experienced in everything outdoorsy! I’m sorry there were some wounds, I hope they are doing better. Your blog post series is Super interesting! Thanks 4 sharing!
Angela
I hope you heal up from that fish hook in your hand – ouch!
Tiffany
I would love to do a trip like that but my outdoorsy skills aren’t up to par yet. Maybe some day!
Tammy Horvath
Barbara, your adventures always amaze me. I love the pictures and enjoy your posts. It looks like you all had a fantastic time except for the snakes and your sister-in-law, and Galen’s injuries. Your sister-in-law sounds like a real trooper. I don’t think I could’ve withstood the pain of cutting the lure off my finger. Wow.
Denise
That is really great you and your family had to opportunity to meet up in such a great area and have a chance at some peace and normalacy in these crazy times. That’s so important to be able to enjoy life the way you want to and not the way others tell you.
I’m from beautiful Colorado nothing really changed for me. Living on a farm and having distance already on my side was a blessing. COVID didn’t affect us here and my son’s were able to come home and enjoy things that they couldn’t from the city. Truly was thankful and grateful, God is good ❤️
Erica Pittenger
As soon as I see that gorgeous canoe, I know it’s going to be an awesome adventure!! This one did not disappoint, what an experience! My husband wants to take our day hikes to a new level, I shared it with him. He wants to go with you! Great read! Thank you!
Barbara Robinson
🙂 Thanks for such a lovely positive comment! Let’s go!
Kadi
This looks like a beautiful area! It’s so great you got to spend that good quality time with your family doing what you all seem to love! I love to kayak and canoe, but I’m not sure I am ready for a trip like this yet! haha
Barbara Robinson
I wasn’t either the first time! It was a great experience though! Give it a try!
Sandi Barrett
You photographs are always so great. They tell a fun story.
Cindy
Sounds like a great adventure! Lovely area to canoe. I’m glad everyone is okay.