EAST BEARSKIN LAKE CAMPSITES: Campsite 1 (#697): Just west of Crocodile Lake portage Campsite 2 (#698): North shore of south arm of lake just west of Alder Lake portage Campsite 3 (#699): Eastern end of the north arm of lake next to the Alder Lake portage
Most of East Bearskin Lake lies outside of the BWCA. Only the two eastern arms of the lake are within the wilderness area. Therefore, you will encounter motorboats on much of the lake. Motorboats are limited to 25 h.p. on this lake. The lakes name is an English transaction of the original Ojibwe name for the lake which was Muko-waiani.
If your looking for upscale accommodations near this lake, Bearksin Lodge should do the trick. If you tastes are more rustic, the East Bearskin Lake Campground is located just east of the entry point. The Flour Lake Campground is also nearby. The YMCA Camp Menogyn is also on the lake.
The East Bearskin Lake entry point is also shared by the Crocodile Lake Entry Point #66. Visitors to Crocodile Lake must stay on Crocodile Lake. Likewise, permit holders for East Bearskin Lake may not visit Crocodile Lake.
There is a portage from Flour Lake and that portage can be used by permit holders for BWCA Entry Point #64 - East Bearskin Lake. So if you are staying at the Flour Lake Campground or the lodge on that lake, you can enter from there.
Logging operations were conducted along the shores of East Bearskin Lake in the 1920's by the General Logging Company. That company added a spur to East Bearskin Lake from the main Alger-Smith railroad to carry the logs out of the forest in this area. Not certain, but believe this railroad spur ran along the north shoreline of the north arm of the lake. This rail route later became a four-wheel drive road that existed until the 1970's (Heinselman). The forest around East Bearskin Lake these days primarly consists of birch, aspen and cedar trees with scattered white and red pines.
Flowage through the lake is mostly via the Crocodile River. This river pours into the south shore of the lake just east of BWCA Campsite 697. There is a short trail starting in this campsite that follows the river upstream to a double waterfall. The Crocodile River than flows out of the east end of the south arm of the lake into Alder Lake. Another small creek flows into the lake not far from the East Bearskin Lake Campground. This creeks source is Aspen Lake, a short distance to the northwest.
References:
Beymer, Robert, Boundary Waters Canoe Area – Volume 2 – Eastern Region (Berkeley: Wilderness Press, 2006), 236, 239, 240, 241, 243, 244, 246, 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), 378, 389.
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PADDLING FROM BWCA ENTRY POINT 64 TO THE ALDER LAKE PORTAGE (SOUTH ARM)
Getting ready to head out from the entry point landing.
After backing out from the public water access landing, it is non-stop paddling all the way to the Alder Lake portage. This portage is found at the east end of the south arm of the lake. The portage between these two lakes is an easy one. Portage to Alder Lake -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA ENTRY POINT 64 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 697
After leaving the landing, cross the lake and follow the south shore of East Bearskin Lake. The lake forms a bend around a point. Beyond the point, stay along the south shoreline. The campsite is found just before reaching the location where the Crocodile River flows into the lake. The portage to Crocodile Lake is just past this campsite and the river. This campsite has an interest trail that leads back into the woods to an attractive waterfall.
From the campsite, there is a trail that leads to this series of rapids and waterfalls along the Crocodile River. The river flows into East Bearskin Lake just east of this campsite. Visit BWCA Campsite 697 -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 697 TO THE CROCODILE LAKE PORTAGE
From the campsite, paddle around the curve in the shoreline and you'll soon pass the location where the Crocodile River flows into the lake. Just beyond this spot, you will find the start of the portage to Crocodile Lake. This is a fairly long portage, but not otherwise very difficult. Portage to Crocodile Lake -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE CROCODILE LAKE PORTAGE TO BWCA CAMPSITE 698
Leaving the Crocodile Lake portage, paddle along the south shore of East Bearskin Lake towards the east. Continue into the south arm of the lake. Soon you'll pass a boundary marker indicating you are entering the BWCA. At this location, leave the south shoreline and paddle across the arm to the north shore. A bit further east and you arrive at BWCA Campsite 698. This campsite is just a short distance west of the Alder Lake portage.
A view towards the west from the campsite. Visit BWCA Campsite 698 -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA 698 TO THE ALDER LAKE PORTAGE
A short paddle a few hundred yards east to the Alder Lake portage. You'll see where the Crocodile River flows out of East Bearskin Lake just before reaching the portage landing.
Alder Lake portage near the east end of East Bearskin Lake. Portage to Alder Lake -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
Route Connections for East Bearskin Lake
From East Bearskin Lake you can portage to Alder Lake from both the north arm and south arm of East Bearskin Lake. The portage from the north arm is very difficult. You can also portage to Crocodile Lake (which is BWCA Entry Point 66), Flour Lake and Moon Lake. You can also exit the BWCA at Entry Point 64.
