Western Lake

Bushwhack to Western lake

In the 1970's and 80's my bothers and I made a number of canoe trips into Western Lake (N 47° 58' and W 92° 10'). This lake lies in that isolated portion of the BWCAW near Trout Lake. We had some of the best Walleye fishing ever on Western.

We portaged the mile from Cummings Lake to Buck Lake and then into Western. Recently my brother and his son tried to portage into Western via the southern route (Lunetta - Schlam - Glenmore), but found too many windfalls across the portages.

This brother and I contemplate making another trip into Western Lake. This time not by canoe, but bushwhacking using GPS units from the end of the Wolf Lake Road. I estimate the hike would be 15 to 20 miles. Aerial photographs show the traces of old logging roads. I am uncertain when these satellite photos where taken. However, Google says the images are between 1 and 3 years old.

Logging activity ceased in this old Portal Area of the BWCA in the 1970's, but I hope enough of the roads remain to provide a path to hike in. Even if new growth has chocked the roads, still I hope they follow higher ground a avoid large swamps and impassible areas.

We plan to make the trek during the first part of May. At this time the snow is gone, the foliage has not yet leafed out, and the bugs have not yet appeared.