ALDER LAKE CAMPSITES: Campsite 1 (#707): Near the East Bearskin Lake (north arm) portage Campsite 2 (#703): Second campsite from west end of the lake on north shoreline Campsite 3 (#708): Campsite west of Canoe Lake portage on east side of small point Campsite 4 (#715): Located just east of the Canoe Lake portage Campsite 5 (#704): Middle of the five sites located along the north shoreline of the lake Campsite 6 (#705): Located on the east end of the lakes large point Campsite 7 (#706): Located in the southeast corner of the lake
The campsite in the southeast corner of the lake on the point (BWCA Campsite 706) is particularly good. Another really nice site is just east of the little point along the north shoreline near the middle of the lake. This one has a staircase leading up to the camp area proper. This is BWCA Campsite 708. The site (BWCA Campsite 705) on the east end of the huge point that divides the lake, suffered a lot of blowdown damage relatively recently and is now rather exposed. The damage was the result of an EF2 tornado that rolled through here on October 10, 2021. This was the lastest time in the season (October) a tornado had ever been recorded in the BWCA.
All the portages in and out of Alder Lake are pretty easy, with the exception of the portage to the north arm of East Bearskin Lake. It goes over a 100 foot high ridge. This portage gets light use, so it often overgrown and sometimes has blowdown to deal.
Logging operations were conducted along the shores of Alder Lake in the 1920's by the General Logging Company. That company added a spur rail that extended to Alder Lake from the main Alger-Smith railroad to transport logs out of the forest in this area. Not certain, but believe this railroad spur ran along the north shoreline of the lake, nearly to the Canoe Lake portage. This rail route later became a four-wheel drive road that existed until around the 1970's.
Alder Lake is fed by the Crocodile River which flows into the lake from East Bearskin Lake through a small creek near the portage. The Crocodile River flows out of the lake into Canoe Lake near the portage to that lake. There is also a little creek flowing from Pierz Lake into Alder Lake.
References:
Beymer, Robert, Boundary Waters Canoe Area – Volume 2 – Eastern Region (Berkeley: Wilderness Press, 2006), 235, 236, 239, 241, 244, 261, 268.
Heinselman, Miron, The Boundary Waters Wilderness Ecosystem (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1999), 107.
Pauly, Daniel, Exploring the Boundary Waters (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2005), 389, 392.
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PADDLING FROM THE EAST BEARSKIN LAKE (SOUTH ARM) PORTAGE TO BWCA CAMPSITE 707
View east of Alder Lake from the East Bearskin Lake (south arm) portage.
From the portage, head east across the small pond found at the western end of Alder Lake. Head through the shallow, narrow channel into the north arm of the lake. Once past the channel, stay along the left shoreline and go a short distance to the campsite. This campsite is located near to the portage that leads to the north arm of East Bearskin Lake. Some maps show the portage going right through the campsite, but it doesn't. Note that if you are planning to take this portage, it is a tough bugger. Visit BWCA Campsite 707 -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 707 TO THE EAST BEARSKIN LAKE PORTAGE (NORTH ARM)
View east from the campsite. The opposite shore is the huge peninsula that extends west to east dividing the lakes western end into a north arm and a southern arm.
PADDLING FROM THE EAST BEARSKIN LAKE (NORTH ARM) PORTAGE TO BWCA CAMPSITE 704
Looking out from Campsite 704. The big leaning cedar tree to the left makes this campsite easy to recognize from the water.
Checking out the large pines that stick out from the forest canopy along the north side of Alder Lake. The campsite you are bound for is just west of the small point near the middle of the lake. Visit BWCA Campsite 704 -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 704 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 708
As you leave the campsite and head east, you'll see a small point in front of you. The destination of this short paddle is the campsite just on the otherside of that point.
One of the more highly sought after campsites on Alder Lake. Visit BWCA Campsite 708 -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 708 TO THE CANOE LAKE PORTAGE
This is a fantastic campsite. Nice beach. There is a staircase behind you that heads up to the campfire area. To the right (west) is the small point that helps with finding this campsite.
Traveling almost due east along the north shoreline until you reach the portage. Portage to Canoe Lake -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE EAST BEARSKIN LAKE (SOUTH ARM) PORTAGE TO BWCA CAMPSITE 705
Starting from the portage, paddle east through the small lake on the west end of Alder Lake. Go through the short channel and staying to the right, follow the shoreline eastward. As you approach your destination, round the point to the right. You'll see evidence of the damage caused by an EF2 tornado in this area. The campsite you arrive at is on the eastern end of Alder Lakes big peninsula or point.
This is the campsite on the east end of the giant point that splits Alder Lake in two. This campsite has seen better days, as it was recently impacted by the EF2 tornado that swept through here on October 10, 2021. Visit BWCA Campsite 705 -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 705 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 706
Leave the campsite and paddle south to the little island along the south shore of the lake. From there, you'll follow the south shoreline east to the next campsite located on the point. Visit BWCA Campsite 706 -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 706 TO THE CANOE LAKE PORTAGE
This is the view to the northwest from this campsite. The landing at this campsite isn't so great, but most everything else about this spot makes it a very desirable place to camp for the night.
Exit the campsite on a northwest heading aiming for the point in the distance. Round that point to the east and then head northeast across the narrow eastern end of Alder Lake to the Canoe Lake portage. Portage to Canoe Lake -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE CANOE LAKE PORTAGE TO THE PIERZ LAKE PORTAGE
Head to the eastern end of Alder Lake to find the Pierz Lake portage. Portage to Pierz Lake -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE PIERZ LAKE PORTAGE TO THE CANOE LAKE PORTAGE
A short paddle to the west along the north shoreline gets you to the Canoe Lake portage.
Pulling up to the fine portage landing to Canoe Lake. Portage to Canoe Lake -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE CANOE LAKE PORTAGE TO BWCA CAMPSITE 715
The campsite is just a few hundred yards to the east of the Canoe Lake portage. Just follow the north shoreline to it. Visit BWCA Campsite 715 -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 715 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 703
Peering out from this campsite from under the cedar tree.
Leave the campsite and head west. Soon you pass the portage to Canoe Lake on your right. Continue on westward. Just before coming to a small point that sticks out from the north side of the lake, you pass BWCA Campsite 708, which is recognizable by its stone staircase. Paddle past the and you will see another campsite along the north shore. This is BWCA Campsite 704. The next campsite after this is your goal and it is about a half-mile further along the shoreline. Visit BWCA Campsite 703 -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 703 TO THE CANOE LAKE PORTAGE
Looking south. The eastern end of the lakes gigantic point is visible just to the right of the center of your view.
From the campsite, following the north shoreline of Alder Lake to the east. You'll pass a campsite, then a small point, then another campsite (with a stairway). After this second campsite it is about 3/4 of a mile to the Canoe Lake portage. Portage to Canoe Lake -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE CANOE LAKE PORTAGE TO THE EAST BEARSKIN LAKE PORTAGE
After leaving the Canoe Lake portage, travel west following the north shore of Alder Lake. Once in the west arm of the lake, paddle over the the north side of the lakes huge peninsula and continue along its shoreline to the west end of the lake. Proceed through the narrow channel and cross the last somewhat separate section of the lake to the East Bearskin Lake portage.
