Saturday September 16th

I slept great until 4:30am when Laurie started to rustle about. I could hear her ask me what that sound was. I lift my head off my pillow made of extra clothes and listen…………….."It’s Guncho snoring Laurie!"

She said sorry. It was still dark out, but I got up anyways. Laurie went back to sleep. Everything was wet with dew. I put my headlamp on and made some coffee. I walked over to the end of our beach where some trees are and stood up against one. I watched the sun lighten up the forest. After an hour of peaceful heaven, I returned to make another cup of joe then returned to the beach. I walked up and down and listened to the loons. They were not making much music for us on this trip.

Sal’s canoe

Dave’s canoe

I love the misty mornings .. nothing better!

By 7:30 others were coming out of their tents. Sal was coming out of his Hennessy hammock, tied between 2 trees. Never have to worry about uneven ground again. The way to go if you’re going solo, I think.

Sorry Sal. It was me making those foot steps!

Sal, going out early to fish

On the menu this morning was pancakes and bacon. Laurie also brought some blue berries. None left to pick this time of the year. By 9:00 am the dishes were cleaned up, I decided to take Laurie to see the virgin White Pines down the river.

Looking out from the mouth of the river

The Pines are over 35 m high and 1.5 km up a trail across the first portage down the river. Stainless told Laurie that it’s an easy hike compared to the fire tower trail. Clear beautiful skies today. Warm enough to wear shorts and t-shirt. I wanted to meet Markus and Joan on the portage from Hogan today. Before they left on their trip, I mentioned to them that they might see me on the portage. I am a man of my word and I kept this in mind when we headed off to see the virgin pines. A 15 minutes paddle brought us to the yellow sign on the tree that marks the trail. "Stainless said it was easy, right Mike?" said Laurie. Well, after the rocky landing the trail goes slightly around a ridge going up. As you go around a steep rocky, rain worn rut leads up for about 20-30 yards. Laurie said, "What the heck? This is not easy at all!"

On the river going towards the trail to the White Pines

After you climb your way up the rut, the path is much better. A few small hills and some muddy sections.

Yours truly in a rut and Laurie trying it out

After about 15 minutes walk, the trees seems to be larger and more mature. We stopped at some trees that we thought were the area of the pines. We walked another 5-8 minutes to find 2 huge White Pines on the left of the trail. A few flat rocks were places at the base of one tree. Picture time! We stopped here and took in the view and had a drink. I did go farther up the trial, but the trail fades away and the trees were not as impressive.

Tree hugger

I looked at my watch to see it was approaching 10:30 now. We headed back so we could meet-up with Markus and Joan.

Fungus of some sort .. nice colors

Stainless said, "easy hike"?

Looking toward first portage on the river from the trail

On the river back to Big Crow Lake

End of Part 3 - Mike and Laurie Burns