WHITE OTTER WILDERNESS
CANOE TRIP

Aug. 10, 2015

Breakfast was in the Base dinning hall. After that it was finish packing personal gear, loading it and the canoes and a 50 mile ride to the Clearwater West put-in. We started paddling about 10:30. Today was the only day of the trip that we had less than ideal weather. So in addition to once again getting the feel of our loaded canoes and new canoeing partners (we switched partners each day), we encountered waves and brief periods of rain. Our first stop was for morning coffee and then lunch just before we headed north out of Clearwater West. There was a small beaver dam to pull over as we entered Camp Bay and then we did a little "exploring" before finding the stream into Hawkness Lake. Involved some walking of the canoes in a couple shallow sections but it was fun. From there it was on to the easy portage into White Otter Lake. We encountered a head wind with some white caps as we paddled north on White Otter. We had a campsite in mind, but because of the wind, decided to pull up on an island for a break. However, given the wind and time (about five) we decided to camp on the island. While not ideal...poor load/unloading and canoe space and few flat spots for tents, it was a nice camp. Once camp was set up, we had the traditional Old Guys Canoe Trip first-night steak dinner. Good as always. Thank you Dick.
Click on picture for larger image
Distance: 16.3 km Campsite: 15 U 579716 5433510 Put-in   15 U 572539 5424177   Coffee Break   15 U 574674 5425727   Lunch   15 U 578593 5427961   Hawknest-White Otter Portage 286 m 15 U 579360 5430549
Jim's Journal	The 1st camp was an island camp on the south end of White Otter Lake -- started as shelter from a storm -- camp area was rather steep and the canoes were awkward to unload -- after all that it was a pleasant camp with a fire and a high rock cliff facing the west Wind: We were on big water; just a guess but I think White Otter Lake must be at least 16 (12.5 mi. actual) miles long from south to north and that was our route and we only had a strong wind from the north the 1st day later in the afternoon -- this north wind was in our face and produced whitecap waves with some going over the top of our gunwales -- the first day was the only day that gave us a problem with the wind. Rain: the first day was the only day we had rain while we were out on the water and then it came and went -- we wore our rain gear for an hour one time and 5 minutes the second time with an hour in-between