Cap, Boulder, Adams ect.

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Sorry for any inconveniences but this thread was deleted. WW and I are working on the troubles, we will be updating you soon. Thank You for your patients.
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[WoodsWalker]

Beavers,

I dont know what happened to this thread, I had replied to it on the 1st of Aug. & right after I posted it the server went down for the updates & somehow after that it was missing. Cant explain it, but will be happy to post some of what I remember posting again. I will try later today after I get off work.





Woods Walker

[WoodsWalker]

Beavers had started this thread asking about the Boulder, Adams, Cap area & the portages between Cap & the Kawishiwi River. The original post somehow did a vanishing act, so I am going to post some of what I remember.

I have been through Boulder & Adams two times once in June 2004 & once in Sept. 2002.

These have been my two favorite trips to the BWCA. It is a remote area that few people travel. The 200rod portage is long & other than the creek crossing & the steep climb up the north bank of the creek, it is fairly easy. When I was there in September the creek crossing required nothing more than stepping onto a few rocks. However the same creek in June was knee deep & 5 feet wider, requiring a wet foot crossing. Coming from the Cap direction, as you will be, I believe it is a gradual up hill walk until you reach the “T” intersection in the portage. At that time the trail will be mostly down hill. This area of the portage you will notice some signs of the big blow-down. But the portage has been long since cleared of obstacles. As you reach the creek you will see a marshy swampy area to the east, be quiet in your approach, both times I came through here I seen fresh moose tracks, but I was too noisy with the canoe. After crossing the creek the portage is really flat & a pleasant walk to Boulder.

Boulder lake has 3 campsites on it, the Island is the one most beat up & used, the one closest to the Cap portage in my mind is the nicest site on the lake, with good northern fishing right off shore (all you will catch in boulder is Northern) but they are fun & good eating if you know how to remove the Y-bones.

Leaving Boulder is a 20rod rock garden, in high water some can be paddled, otherwise just carry the canoe along the east bank, it is a pretty easy walk. Then you will paddle a little pond, at the 10rod(walk over) if the water is high there is a neat spot that the water shoots out between the rocks like a mini waterfall & a shallow pool below it. If water is up this is a great place to cool off & wash up.

Adams is another gem of a lake; the Island campsite is by far the best on the Lake, but usually taken 1st for that reason. The fire grate has a big chimney around it, nice tent pads & great views. When we came through the 1st time from Beaver to Adams we missed the real portage & took a false portage into Adams (not fun). Read my report for details. You shouldn’t have any issues finding the portage coming from the Adams direction, but you will see how come it easy to miss when you reach the put in on Beaver. This is one of the prettiest portages I have been on; it goes through a granite gorge, with really high cliffs on the opposite side. It really makes you feel like you are a small part of the land a mere blip on the screen of it all. This is a must see portage in my book.

From Beaver it is only one portage to the Kawishiwi River, the second 60rod that the Fisher map shows is a washed out beaver dam & we paddled right past it. You could easily make it to Fishdance or Alice Lake in a day from Boulder.

Now if you are looking for adventure & a challenge try this route, I plan on it the next time I am in the area. From Beaver portage into Fisher, then follow the creek into Whiz & then Bow. The water in Fisher & Bow are unlike the darker reddish Kawishiwi River lakes, they are crystal clear & I know that they both hold the native Large Mouth Bass. Then from Bow you can either take the portage into the Kawishiwi River or try to follow the creek into Amber which I hear has 2 nice campsites on it, though I never been to them.

Remember to do the short paddle into Fishdance & check out the Indian Pictographs. They are located on the west shore across from the campsite & island on a huge cliff you can’t miss.

Alice Lake is a big bowl with a ton of walleye in it, not bad to fish if the wind cooperates otherwise it can be a pretty rough lake. On the east side of Alice are some of the best sandy beach campsites in the BW. If it is fishing you are after paddle across the lake to the lone campsite, located on the west shore mid-lake, north of the big island. This site is frequented by moose & is protected from the wind, so even when Alice is rough you can fish around the island & the western bays (HINT…HINT).

As you head to Insula from Alice, keep a line in the water. We picked up several eater walleyes in that stretch. I have only paddled through Insula twice, never camped or fished it (I know shame on me), I here it is a great lake. The multitude of islands allows many people to enjoy it at the same time without making it seem crowded.

I don’t know where you are going from Insula, but if it is toward Lake one. Take time to fish all the rapids. I seen plenty of walleye & Small Mouth Bass get pulled out of the water, both above & below them. I also found a little sunfish honey hole on Hudson near a campsite on the river. They were HUGE & hitting on beetle spins with a red & white body. I love big Gill’s they are the best eating & fast action when they are hot. I found them right before sunset.

Again, I am sorry about the missing post. I could not find where it went to recover it, so this is the next best thing that I could do.

Let me know if you have any other questions about the area.

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[WoodsWalker]

I wish I could get a reply like this in my Gunflint area post.

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[Beavers]

Thanks agian WW for all the info and for retyping it all.

Beavers