June 23^rd, 2002 Black Bear Island Lake

Using the Todd/Green camp site rating system, this site rates a four plus. The kitchen/swimming/lounge area is excellent and the view superb. The lake is like glass and we have been listening to a conversation among neighbouring loons. Across the bay wolf cubs were yelping and off in the distance the drone of the last aircraft of the evening could be heard.

It is difficult to recount any of these days, as they are full form sunrise to sunset. The wind and weather have been in our favour since the beginning of the trip and there are no signs of this changing.

We left Pinehouse Lake this morning and paddled about 6.5k to across the lake to Needle Rapids. The first set had an easy pullover on the north shore. We pulled across and admired the remarkable scene. Pelicans gliding about perched stoically atop whitewashed rocks and a mink wandering across the bank. As we approached the second set of rapids up popped a figure in the tall grasses about 25m in front of us. An inquisitive cinnamon bear, ears in the air gave us a long look and then scampered off among the reeds.

The portage was steep and not as well used as we expected.

Arriving at needle falls, we stopped below to view the volumes of water cascading over the ledge. The wind was with us all the way up the first long bay and next to the first narrows. Just before the narrows three fishing boats headed our way. The last one slowed and turned around to meet us. It was Magic Ratt guiding tourists for Ray McKay at Shadd Lake camp. The two tourists were form Kansas. As the sun pounded down on our warm backs Glens first question was "where's your beer?" Within the blink of an eye ice cold beer were produced and the seven of us visited out there on the water. We were quite a curiosity to the lads from Kansas, living out of our barrels and travelling by canoe.

Our lunch break was taken just around the corner in a pleasant shady refuge on the rocks. After sliding thorough silent rapids, chose a northerly route and found ourselves running a rapid that was not marked on the map, likely a result of low water conditions.

The paddle in through Black Bear Island Lake was like finding our way through a maze.

We are now in the middle of Black Bear Island Lake and will make our way to Birch Narrows and Trout Lake tomorrow. We will likely spend the night somewhere around Dead Lake. The trip is moving too quickly. There is so much out here!

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