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Boundry Waters Canoe Area, BWCA Minnesota
The Pine Creek Loop
3 Days, 22 Miles, 3 Lakes, 1 Creek, 4 Portages
The Pine Creek Loop is a Little Loop that will give you an excellent taste of what The Boundry Waters is all about.
An area that is home to much wildlife and receives relatively few human visitors.
An area that starts out with large lakes where motor boats are permitted and quickly turns
into a more isolated area restricted to paddlers.
Starting at the boat landing on Vermilion you will head Northeast to Trout Lake, then following on to tiny
Pine Creek to Pine Lake, finally returning to the South end of Trout Lake and backtracking to Vermilion.
Trout Lake is a long time favorite of anglers, containing - Lake Trout, Walleyes and Smallmouth Bass,
while Pine lake is good for Walleyes and Northern Pikes. Taking 3 days for this trip should
supply plenty of time for fishing.
Experienced Canoeists with little desire to fish can easily take this trip in two days.
While avid fisherman and explorers may wish to take 4 days, to test out the waters of the more remote Lakes just east of the Loop.
Day One
Lake Vermilion then portage about 60 rods to Trout Lake
Depending on the wind crossing over the vast areas of Lake Vermilion and Trout Lake,
this should be an easy beginning to this three day outing.
The only portage of the day climbs over a low hill with a canoe rest area near the midway point.
While paddleing across the lakes check out the many private cabins and watch out for the numerous Motorboats.
There are many fine campsites along the east shoreline of trout lake.
Day Two
Trout Lake then portage about 60 to 65 rods (depending on the water level of Pine Creek)
to Pine Creek, Pine Lake
If the water level of Pine Creek is high enough your portage will be reduced by almost 25 rods
Unless the Beavers are active the Creek should be clear of obstructions.
If the water level is low the portage must begin at the sandy shore of Trout lake, making the portage 65 rods.
It's an easy carry either way. Less than a mile up the creek though you may need to carry your canoe
over a shallow area. You may also bottom out near the source of the creek, near Pine Lake,
although beavers may alter the characteristics of Pine Creek so expect the unexpected.
Taking a short climb adjacent to the Chad Lake Portage trail you will find a scenic overlook at the summit of a high rock slope offering
a panoramic view across Pine Creek Valley. Around mid July to late July keep your eye out for Blueberrys.
There are several good campsites on Pine Lake, I hear the best are on the Northwest part of the lake,
and the Southeast part of the Lake has more Private campsites.
Along the Eastern shoreline there is a couple of sand beaches just inviting you to take a swim.
Day Three
Pine Lake Portage 260 rods to Trout Lake Portage 60 rods to Vermilion Lake
The 260 rod Portage is not particularly a tough one, but the length may be a challenage to the inexperienced
tripper. Several Canoe Rests will help. After tripping the second portage you may wish to reward yourself
for the effort by taking a soaking in the scenic rapids that seperate Trout Lake and Vermilion Lake.
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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