Triplogs / Triplog#16-Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3
Park Border(IN) - Wilkins - Wilkins - Wilkins - Park Border(OUT) - Lookout Trail - Ragged Falls
Day 3 - Wilkins Lake
I finally got up around 8:30am, and made breakfast in the rain. An hour later I went back to bed. The food(I skipped the coffee this time), did little to cheer me up this time. About 3 hrs later, just before noon, the rain stopped. 'Yeah right', I thought to myself. I waited like another 45 min. The sun started to come out. 'No way!' I thought. The lake was calm, as there really was no wind this day...now was my chance. I got dressed, grabbed some gear, and jumped into the canoe and I was off...freedom once again!
Campsite next to the 970m portage to Aylen River
tsk tsk. Someone left behind some un-environmentally friendly soap
I headed down shore, I was going to check out the portage to the Aylen river, on foot. I originally had a crazy idea to paddle all the way to Vireo Lake. I wasn't even going to make it off this lake with my canoe! With the high winds over the past 2 days, and all the rain, I decided I would just play it safe and walk the portage. At least here I was exploring somewhat. Before I reached the portage I landed at the campsite right before it. This campsite looked even more un-used then the one I was on...a crude log set for a bench. A nice table, and a firepit, that looked like it hadn't been used in a long time. Surprisingly, there was a small supply of firewood. I walked around a bit, this site had lots of leg room...tall pines, where you could walk quite aways. the site also had a pebble beach, whereas my site, had great rocks for jumping off of. I tried going into the water...man it was cold...got as far as my ankels, that was it for me!
The approach to the 970m portage to Aylen River
Portage sign
'Halfway point' on the Wilkins L - Aylen River portage
The landing at the portage, was mucky, and crowded with timbers. I elected to jump onto a timber and if it wasn't for a pine growing out of a fallen pine to grab a hold of, I would've gotten wet fer sure. Doing the high-wire act across the timber, I made it to land and the start of my hike. the trail starts off, by climbing a small hill then leveling off for quite a distance. About 1/3 the way thru...the portage becomes very rocky, and starts to decend into a ravine. This was a nice surprise. A large rockface rose up out of the ground. Or was it the ground was sinking, lower and lower? The rocks were still wet, and thanked myself for not bringing the canoe. There were a few spots where there were rocks that just love to twist ankles, and smash elbows. I weathered it, and came to the bottom of the ravine. There was alot of timber here, that had been cleared by park staff(bless them!!), that had fallen across the portage. From here on the trail twisted and climbed up and down small hills..but for the most part was flat.
Exiting the ravine
Looking up the rock wall, as the portage descends
Eventually, I reached the Aylen river. Nothing special. Looked more like a creek to me. Moose muck beginning, actually there was moose tracks here, the only sign of big wildlife I'd seen so far. Now I wished I had brought my canoe, for I couldn't see very far, as my sight was blocked by high bush. Not being able to see down the river, made me yearn for that canoe. What might be around the next bend? Moose? Deer? or bear?! I took a few pictures and and sat down and warmed myself by the afternoon sun. Soon I turned back, and made my way back to Wilkins lake.
Arrival: The Aylen River
Looking out onto Aylen River
Bush blocks my view down the Aylen river
I also remember that somewhere along the portage, the trail crosses a logging road. I'm pretty sure, it is the same road that split off the left fork in the road, at the bridge on the cart trail. Hmmm..wonder if anyone is willing to try that route? Maybe with a cart. That reminded me, I wasn't looking forward to the carry back, that's for sure.
Large slabs of rock hanging off the rocky ravine
A nice flat stretch on the portage
Heading back, I arrived back on Wilkins Lake, as I made my way back onto the lake, I noticed the sun was shining very brightly, against a dark sky, and everything lit up. I was able to take some nice pictures, as I made my way back to camp. I passed a few loons on the way, screaming their disappoint at me, at intruding upon their solitude. Once back at camp, I fired up the stove and had mashed potatoes, summer sausage, curry with rice, and some cheezies and licorice for dessert. I never go camping without red licorice. It's a good camp treat. After dinner and wash up, I cleaned up my site and packed away as much as I could, so that packing would be minimal in the morning in preparation for my departure.
I had a really nice fire, as I sat by glugging some rum(seemed to be doing alot of that this weekend), and watching some stars. no wind, minimal clouds...a cool temperature. Reading by firelight isn't very practical, so sometimes i'll use one of those Colemen clip-on lights. Clips right onto the book, and you can bend the light into the direction needed. A cool little utility.
Some nice colours on day 3, before the sun disappeared again
A shock of brilliant red as I round a point
By 11pm I headed off to bed. glad to have at least in a small way, gotten around a little bit this weekend on Wilkins Lake.
Planet of the Algonquin Apes, perhaps?
Last nite on Wilkins lake - Cloudy sunset at the dry swamp