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Boundry Waters Canoe Area, BWCA Minnesota
The Cummings Lake Loop
4 Days, 47 Miles, 14 Lakes, 1 River, 4 Creek, 22 Portages
The Cummings Lakes Loop will take you from Lake Vermilion North on through Trout Lake and Little Trout Lake.
Then through a long portage of 376 rods, into Little Indian Sioux River.
Then you will paddle east up this tiny winding stream, going through marshy terrain abundant with wildlife.
Then on to the headwaters from Otter and Cummings Lakes.
From the east end of Cummings Lake, you will turn South then West, navigating the tiny Lakes and Streams, that will return you
back to the busy Motor route from which you began.
The beginning and the end of the outing will most likely be shared with many others,
but once your in the remote eastern portion, the solitude will be yours to cherish through this interesting loop.
There is an abundance of Moose and Deer along the Little Indian Sioux River, along with some good fishing
in many of the Lakes along the Loop.
Fish for Bass in Otter, Cummings, Chad and Trout Lakes.
Or for a Walleye Breakfast try Pine, Buck, Little Trout or Trout Lake. Northern Pike can be caught in mostly all the
Lakes along this Loop, and let's not forget Lake Trout in Trout Lake.
Day One
Lake Vermilion portage 60 rods to Trout Lake, Little Trout Creek and Little Trout Lake
Don't expect the first day to be to exciting, that is unless you get run over by a Motor Boat, or there is a strong Northwest wind making
crossing Trout Lake difficult or impossible, if it is impossible to cross it is recommended you portage 260 rods into Pine Lake.
Where you will bypass the main portion of Trout Lake and where the west wind will not be a problem,
until you reach Cummings Lake and begin the journey back to Trout Lake.
If you arrive at Little Trout Lake early in the day it is recommended you make camp, as there are no USFS
campsites available on the Little Indian Sioux River, and very few places to even attempt to
camp even in an emergency of being stranded on the River.
Plus you will need to be fresh for all the portages the next day 10 in all.
Day Two
Little Trout Lake portage 376 rods to Little Indian Sioux River There are 7 portages through the river, in order of
40 rods, 35 rods, 20 rods, 30 rods, 40 rods, 20 rods and last one 28 rods.
Portage 120 rods to Otter Lake portage 5 rods into Cummings Lake
This day you will find it a sharp contrast from the day before of paddleing on Big Lakes.
The 376 portage from Little Trout River is not well traveled and might be muddy, but it has no major inclines to cross over.
With seven portage along the Little Indian Sioux River travel is slow.
Relax and enjoy the abundance of wildlife and the absence of other canoes along the River.
If you travel silently enough you are likely to see Deer and Moose drinking water from the River's
swampy banks, and wounder what wildlife eyes are watching you as you travel through this winding wilderness.
There are several nice campsites near the East end of Cummings Lake.
Day Three
Cummings Lake portage 35 rods to Korb Creek, Korb Lake portage 3 rods to Creek, Little Crab Lake, Lunetta Creek, Lunetta Lake Portage 60 rods to Lunetta Creek Portage 100 rods to Schlamm Lake Portage 210 rods to Glenmore Lake portage 195 rods to Western Lake portage 80 rods to Buck Lake portage 250 rods to Chad Lake
Eat a hearty breakfast this day as you will be carrying your load across 8 portages totaling over 850 rods, with four of them
being well over a half mile. None of them are very difficult, just long.
The 100 rod portage follows a old logging rd for 8 rods, and if you should like to get back to Trout Lake sooner,
there is a short cut by portaging 480 rods from Cummings Lake right into Buck Lake. This portage is virtually flat, with 16 canoe rest areas along the way.
But by taking this shortcut you will miss the opportunity to see a series of scenic small lakes and streams
between Cummings and Schlamm Lakes.
Chad is know to contain Bluegill, Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass. Buck and Western Lakes are two of the best Walleye Lakes in the area, just right for that walleye Breakfast.
Day Four
Chad Lake portage 260 rods to Pine Creek, Pine Lake portage 260 rods to Trout Lake portage 60 rods to portage Lake Vermilion
The first 260 portage gradually ascends 83 feet from the shore of Chad Lake, before dropping steeply to Pine Creek. From the top of the steep rock slope adjacent to the portage you can get a panoramic view across Pine Creek Valley.
In low water periods Pine Creek may be quite shallow to it's source at Pine Lake.
You may also find Beaver Dams obstructing the course of the Creek creating necessary liftovers.
The second portage climbs 92 feet above Pine Lake before dropping to the shores of Trout Lake, finding yourself back in heavy
traveled Motor routes.
If you have made this trip and would like to share some of your pictures
with others then please e-mail us the Picture with a description if you wish.
Also be sure to include which area the picture is from.
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