When we entered the Sylvania Wilderness, we paddled across Crooked Lake, and portaged into High Lake. Our first portage of the year, we felt a bit awkward at first getting our bearings, talking about who carries what and where to make our gear pile. We paddled a short distance on High Lake over to the portage into Kerr Lake, seeing no wildflowers on this portage. On the High Lake end of the High-to-Kerr portage, the portage is mapped in the wrong spot, perhaps it is an old landing. We did land in the incorrect spot and once we got moving and couldn't find a portage trail we realized the portage was actually in a nearby bay.
After a short portage across tiny Kerr Lake, thousands of tadpoles greeted us at the next portage landing. This portage also offered no wildflowers. With a disappointing zero wildflower sightings on the books, we paddled across West Bear Lake to our campsite. I was delighted to find the the compsite hosted one species of wildflower, the Star Flower.
We unloaded the canoe and cooked dinner. Although a bright, sunny day, the minute we stopped moving we became cold and built a fire. The forecast called for 25F (-4C) overnight.
Star Flower
The next morning after breakfast we loaded our gear, and took a short paddle on West Bear Lake over to the portage into East Bear. Although cool, the day grew bright with sun. The blue skies and new spring leaves glowed alive with color. We paddled across East Bear Lake to take our longest portage of the day, 97 Rods, still seeing no new wildflowers. I began to think my search for wildflowers in the Sylvania Wilderness could end in disappointment.
After portaging over from East Bear Lake, we reloaded the canoe and paddled across Mountain Lake. Finally we arrived at our shortest portage of the day, the portage from Mountain Lake into Crooked Lake. Paddling to our home for the next two nights, Fox 2 Campsite, the day great a little bit warmer. In camp, we noticed we had neighbors. Crooked Lake seemed to be filled with kayakers, canoeists, and fishermen.
To my delight, our campsite turned out to be home to many Forget-Me-Nots, Star Flowers, Canadian Mayflowers, and Trilliums. We even found a couple of Lady Slippers down on the peninsula near the landing. After dinner lit a fire to keep warm until we turned in for the night.
On Day 3, we woke to a cold, rainy day. On the map we noticed a trail system came through behind our campsite, so we set out to find the trail. We put on our rain gear and hiked over to Mountain Lake and High Lake. We returned with cold, wet feet and built a fire to stay warm. We used the fire to dry our wet shoes and socks, and cooked dinner.
Sunrise at Fox 2 Campsite
Ever so quickly, Day 4 arrived and we began packing to exit the wilderness. After a 3 or 4 mile paddle on Crooked Lake, we exited the wilderness. Overall we had a wonderful trip, and looked fondly forward to summer adventures.
That's all for now, lets get outdoors and keep our wild places wild!
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