Yoke Lake
This lake is named after the part that allows you to carry your canoe. You will certainly have use for that component getting here.
This area was scorched by the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire that burned much of the southwestern part of the BWCA and was the largest fire in recorded history at about 100,000 acres (almost 10% of the entire BWCA).
There was a large fire in this area around 1863-1864. This fire is known as the North Kawishiwi River/Alice Lake/Cypress Lake/Saganaga Lake Complex. This burn began south of the current BWCAW's southern boundary near the town of Isabella, Minnesota.
Approach to Yoke Lake
On Maniwaki Lake, find the creek flowing into the lakes northeast shore toward the lakes east end. The creek heads north at first. The bay where this creek flows in is shallow and heavily vegetated. This is the same approach as is used to get to Jupiter Lake.
Bushwhack to Yoke Lake
This bushwhack is straightforward, but quite long. It is over two miles from Maniwaki Lake out to Yoke Lake (and Jupiter Lake). Just follow the creek. Much of the creek appears to be paddle-worthy. The creek gets quite narrow as you travel further and further east, but the creek remains well defined on satellite images. Just before you reach Jupiter Lake, a tiny (likely not navigable in a floating canoe) creek splits off and heads north. This little creek leads to Yoke Lake. You can head north through the peat bog toward Yoke Lake starting at GPS point: 47.888208, -91.174067. This GPS point is just west and downstream of where the actual creek coming from Yoke Lake is located. You will eventually meet up with the creek.
Exploring Yoke Lake
This lake is sort of similar to Calamity Lake in that it is shallow, almost surrounded by peat bog, and slowly being eaten into oblivion by the expanding peat bog. There are no routes beyond Yoke Lake.
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