Once again Clay started the day off with a cool dip in the lake. I started packing things up before making us a quick oatmeal breakfast. Another gear review: This was the initial trip using the CCS barrel bags. They certainly were incredibly handy keeping the meals organized and avoiding the 'yard sale' while looking for a particular item. Although, I feel they're a bit pricey. But, as with all CCS gear I've used to date, the quality is superb & I'm sure they will last a lifetime. So, in the big picture, it's a worthwhile investment.

Loaded up, we began the journey out. We were intimately familiar with the current conditions of the portages so there were no big surprises today. That said, we were cruising across Hook lake at a pretty good clip when we paddled right past a baby snapping turtle. We also noted a pink lady slipper on the Hook ~ Rice portage that must've bloomed since yesterday. And, since it was sunnier than when we passed through the first time, the rays of sunlight breaking through the trees really gave the Rice ~ Slim portage a special enchanted feel.

The paddle south down Slim was highlighted by a low flying bald eagle patrolling over the skies just above the lake. We were hopeful of witnessing a dive for a fish, but that never materialized.

As unbelievable as it may seem, for the first time in my experience, paddling was hardly even necessary because - FOR ONCE - we actually had the wind at our backs pushing us in the exact direction we needed to go! Soon we entered the scenic little bay where our last portage was located. The landing was easy to locate, as well as being very accommodating.

The portage back to the parking lot was as easy as a 140 rod portage could be. Quite literally you could've driven on a vast majority of the trail. A wide open root & rock free path with no discernible elevation changes. There were a couple of small bridges running over the small brook that paralleled the trail for a distance. Since the water was high, this provided an excellent opportunity to witness some small rapids & whitewater hydraulics that normally wouldn't be there. In fact the water was so high in some spots that we had to share the trail with some tadpoles.

Once the van was loaded up, we headed for the Boathouse in Ely. After devouring a couple of monstrous burgers, we hit the road for home.

After it was all said and done. This trip offered us more than I realistically expected going into it. Surprisingly, the campsites on Lapond & Big Rice were both above average IMHO. And, although we did see one other canoe, I think you'd be hard pressed to find an entry point that can provide almost instant lasting solitude with as little effort as is required to get to either of these sites. I think we hit the flower bloom just about perfect and were treated to many colorful blossoms throughout our journey. We didn't spend a lot of time fishing but, when we did, we were greeted with sufficient success (albeit all northern pike). It wasn't the most noteworthy trip for wildlife sightings, but the amount of scat (especially wolf & moose)throughout this area was a clear indication to me that the chances for those type of sightings should be very good if one were to take the time to do so.

Along with aiding navigation on the river stretches, the high water level meant we got to see some neat rapids & small hydraulics in the little creeks & rivers. Since the area was very wet, Deet was invaluable and kept the bugs at bay. I really didn't get bit much, but they an ever present pest when the sun wasn't out. Clay wore shorts much of the time and had more of a problem with ticks than anything else.

Besides the couple of items I've already mentioned. I did have a new pair of NRS wet socks along. These also performed very well. So, I can now say with certainty that I'm satisfactorily happy with all my new major gear purchases for this paddling season.

Once again, I realize this little vestige of the BWCA doesn't get a lot of attention due to lack of good fishing and difficult portages - (if you'd like to move on.) But, if you're main objective is quick/easy solitude? These one campsite lakes (Lapond & Big Rice) will be awfully tough to beat.

Keneu Lake, Hook Lake, Rice Lake, Slim Lake