TR: 6/1-6/6, 2013 [McCargoe - Daisy Farm - Chippewa Harbor]

[zims]

Hello all, here is a quick trip report from a return last thursday. MAy 30th we headed out all packed and ready to go. As our adventure began we realized like everyone else we may need just a few more things from the famous Wal-mart. Our stop was in Black River Falls and before we knew what was happening, the store employees were rushing everyone to the back bathrooms for a tornado. That was fun...It actually hit 9 miles up the road. Next we headed up to Minnesota passing Superior and thru Duluth and a whole lot of fog. We ended up staying at the viking motel and not so much loving it, but it had 3 double beds and that worked for our group of 3. When morning came we headed out north, first things first, I was craving Sven and Oles pizza. On our way we we stopped at all the state parks to enjoy the over flowing waterfalls and visited the Sawtooth outfitters. Very impressed with this little store. They had everything and then some, and prices to beat most regular outfitters. We bought Buff head wraps.
After lunch and touring some park trails, we checked into the Grand Portage Casino Hotel. Kinda upset with how they handled our reservation. For months there was a reservation for 3, and when we get there they bring a roll away and then call us on the phone and inform me we still owe $22.00 for a third person. No sense in arguing with people who do not intend to please is all I can say.
Once unpacked and settled we took the short drive up to High Falls at the Canadian Boarder. Oh my is all I can say. What A sight this was! Way worth the trip.
We had a ok supper at the hotel and we all crawled into bed after a few drinks from the bar.
We woke at 4:30 to get all showered and out the door to make the boat dock by 6:30.
I wish my camera pics were not so huge, I have great pics of the waterfalls.
It felt amazing to step foot on the Voyager again. The boat ride was pretty uneventful, chilly and long. Our plan was to be dropped off at McCargoe Cove. We arrived to a pretty calm dock and for the first time I realized how far we were from anyone, being dropped off there instead of Windigo or Rock Harbor. We immediately picked out a shelter with a beautiful view. There was a chilly breeze and we put the tent up in the shelter to stay warm. Since there was no water yet at Windigo, we had to filter water right away. It felt like I was falling right back into a ritual that I was so accustomed to. My first cup of coffee was delicious. We walked aorund the cove a bit and then decided to hike to the Minong Mines. Pretty amazing to see and think about how dangerous they really are.
This afternoon the sun came and went several times. We ate a early supper and resigned to some uno. There were 3 loon nests that I could see from the dosk area. I hope they survive.
The next morning I was at the boatdock taking pictures, I always never take enough then regret it when I get home. 2 guyscame out of the trail and were going to fish a bit. I struck up a conversation and was pleased to find out I was talkin to Wilderness Junkie. We both agreed its time to do a huge go-light change with equiptment. I wished him well and we were all on our way., I may add here the post sign was lying on the ground, so it was question as to what was the right direction.
We headed down the trail towards east chickenbone, finding lots of boardwalk damaged and broken. There is quite a bit of sitting and running water on the island, so boardwalks and little bridges are important right now. Im guessing we should have took the portage trail around west chickenbone, but instead we hoofed it up to east campground for lunch. Everyones right, not much to fall in love with here. So we continued on our way, and I can only say I should have listened to my gut, and pulled the compass and map out. Big oops here. Long story short, we saw amazing views, and found a bit of ground crew supplies here and there on the greenstone. Our destination was Lake Richie, our arrival was ar Daisy farm, if you do the math we went 8.6 miles out of the way. It was a goood day. oops again. I was fine with it, but I dont think my comrads thought it was funny. Uppon arrival we took shelter 10 and began to set up for the night. We had a couple visiting rabbits who made good company during hot chocolate and uno. We filtered water near the stream that pours out into superior. A couple geese visited and stared at us. I thought i heard some large cracks in the woods back by the pits and went looking for mr. moose, none found. Here we met a neighbor who was visiting the island for the first time kayaking and we looked at the map a little bit and wished him well on his way right after a few snakes crossed my path. All out dehydrated meals were mountian house, but I think since I havetried almost all of them, I would like to make my own for the next trip. They just didnt have any wow factor in them, and its kind of a waste at 7-8 bucks a pop. I guess you can get good recipes on Backpacker chef?
In the morning I snapped some more excellent pictures and heard the bell off in the distance. We packed up and all headed off to destination Moskey basin for lunch. This trial was pretty good. Somewhere along here there are a couple stream crossings that were rather large, and a couple pretty good mini waterfalls running wild. No moose yet. I did spend most of lunch watching a fox across the way move along the shoreline.
We left moskey basin and headed toward Lake Richie. Lunch was pretty good, salomi and string cheese, with dark chocolate. The hike to LAke Richie was nice. upon arrival at the lake there was noone else there. We picked out site 3 and set up the tent. Still no bugs were bothering us and I saw a blue Heron. There were a couple loons and a Malard duck. This was a good spot to take advantage of noone else being here, and we got to wash up. In the distance we could hear wolves, but we never saw one. When morning came I was happy to get a couple pictures of the tree reflections in the water off the island before the sun changed. We packed up and headed off to Chippewa Harbor as our final destination. This hike is a new one for me and my partners as well. Walking thru the woods I would stop and sometimes hear nothing, no birds, no sounds. Then all of a sudden I would hear everything. Alot of water on this trail. One big stream crossing, and alot of bluffs it felt like. I thought it was beautiful. While hiking we came across a couple who had jsut got dropped off at Chippewa and told us the harbor was about 2 miles yet. Then out of nowhere we were passed by several people who seemed to be on a mission. This is when I decided to just sit on a rock outcropping and enjoy waht I was seeing. As much as I would love to return to the island all the time I simply cannot, so I am glad I took the time to soak it all in and not be in a rush. Upon arrival up the hill into the camp, I immediately took the first shelter, I fell in love with the view. We had been carrying marshmellows jsut for this occasion, so we all were looking forward to roasting them around the fire. When we headed to the dock area to filter water we saw clothes strewn allover, kinda of a funny sight, then we found who they belonged to, all the people who were out on the little island soaking in the afternoon. Glad they enjoyed themselves.That night those marshmellows were a delicacy.
Once morning came we moved camp to the shelter at the bottom of the hill closest to the dock. Here we were out of the wind a bit. Loved seeing the schoolhouse cabin, and we hiked further on up to the bluff all the way out to the breakwater, glad we used our hiking poles to mark the trail we were bushwacking, cant imagine getting lost up there. After a long mesmorizing sit on top of the world we headed back for some uno and yahtzee. Just as expected the voyager showed up the next morning right when it started to sprinkle. All the way back around the outside of the island I was entranced staring at the waters edge, hoping for that quick glimpse of a moose or wolf. It never came, but there is no better landscape to watch. It was smooth sailing to Windigo, with a disappointing twist. No homemade sandwiches. Pre-vacuum sealed ones. Not so good. Thanks to the captain we arrived back in Grand Portage about a half hour earlier than expected, which gave us time to look for one missing I-phone that was never found. Smooth driving home, with first stop being Dairy Queen, good old Blizzards!! Till Next time......................................ZIM..............................Thank you Katrina and Arwyn for an amazing trip of a lifetime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lucky Chicken]

Sounds like a great trip! Now if I could just see the pictures

I make all my trail foods (I eat a lot, I like to tweak recipies, and I am cheap). Some of my favorates are rice pizza and camp strogonoff. Recipies below.

rice pizza
The pepperoni slices come 2 pouches per 3.5 ounce package.
You could use pepperoni sticks, cut up, instead.
Switch the vegetables around to whatever you like!

2/3 cup instant rice
2 pouch pepperoni slices
4 mozzarella cheese sticks
2 tablespoon tomato powder
2 teaspoon dried tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
2 pinch red pepper flakes 

At home: combine all of the dry ingredients in a zip locking plastic bag.
Place the (wrapped) cheese sticks and pepperoni in a second bag.

In camp: place the bag in a cozy (something to put the bag in to keep it hot while it cooks). Add enough hot water to cover.
Let stand 5-10 minutes. Cut up the cheese and stir into the rice along with the pepperoni.

Camp Stroganoff
1 package beef-flavored Ramen (including seasoning)
1/4 cup dehydrated ground beef
1/2 teaspoon salt tuna in water (or substitute dehydrated veggies or TVP) I sometimes leave this out
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1-2 packets soy sauce

1. At home: Combine all dry ingredients in a 1-quart freezer bag.
2. On the trail: Boil water and then pour into bag until all ingredients are covered. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.

[MikeT]

Thanks for the report Zims! Most enjoyable!

Lucky, Maybe post your recipes in the "Food" area. They sound like good ones and I believe we my try them out.

[zims]

Thanks Lucky for recipes. will look forward to trying!!!

[zims]

http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumb ... =snapfish/

try this nlink for just a few pictures

[Lucky Chicken]

Nice Pictures! Wishing my trip was sooner!

[NancyT]

You have to sign up for a Snapfish account to view the pictures!

[darksideofoz]

You have to sign up for a Snapfish account to view the pictures!

yeah, that stopped me dead in my tracks.

[zims]

sorry guys, I was having computer issues trying to ge them to load, they were too big and snapfish was only way I could get them on forum.