Wildlife Seen on Visit: Loon, extensive signs of Moose (especially at one of the campsites), mink or pine marten (couldn't make positive identification)
GORDON LAKE CAMPSITES: Campsite 1: (#883) - Campsite on north end of the lake Campsite 2: (#884) - Campsite on the south end of the lake
This lake is long and twisty; a wide section of the Long Island River.
The Sawbill-Gordon-Little Saganaga-Winchell-Brule fire of 1727 affected this area and burned 108,800 acres of what is now the BWCA. Fire perhaps started near the southern part of Sawbill Lake (Heinselman, 1999).
Water enters Gordon Lake from Cherokee Lake from a small stream that is found just east of the Cherokee Lake portage. Several small creeks draining the local area also supply water to the lake.
There are two decent campsites on Gordon Lake and this lake may offer a good alternative to Long Island Lake camping, especially since many of those campsites fill early. The southern campsite has been frequented by moose.
The portage to Unload Lake is fairly tough, so steel your resolve. You should find Frost Lake worth the effort. The portage to Cherokee Lake is very easy.
Fishing is likely to be a relatively futile effort in this lake.
References:
Beymer, Robert, Boundary Waters Canoe Area – Volume 2 – Eastern Region (Berkeley: Wilderness Press, 2006), 60, 68, 77, 85, 95, 110, 118, 123, 132, 139, 151.
Heinselman, Miron, The Boundary Waters Wilderness Ecosystem (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1999), 56, 57, 58.
Pauly, Daniel, Exploring the Boundary Waters (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2005), 272.
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PADDLING FROM THE LONG ISLAND RIVER PORTAGE TO THE NORTH CAMPSITE
Gordon Lake from the end of the portage leading to the Long Island River. Looking south. Northern campsite on the lake is just around that point to your left.
Looking south from the north bay of Gordon Lake. The north campsite on the lake is around that point to your left. The portage to Unload Lake is around that point with the tilted tree on your right.
Paddling from the Long Island River portage on the north end of Gordon Lake over to the campsite on the north end of the lake. Gordon Lake has two campsites. One is located in the north bay of the lake and the other near the south end of the lake.
You are looking toward the east shoreline of the north bay of Gordon Lake.
Pulling up to the north campsite on Gordon Lake. Visit the Campsite -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE NORTH CAMPSITE OVER TO THE UNLOAD LAKE PORTAGE
After pulling away from the campsite, paddle generally southwest across this narrow lake to the Unload Lake portage.
View of Gordon Lake from the Unload Lake portage. The yellow stuff around the boulders in the water is pollen. Portage to Unload Lake -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE UNLOAD LAKE PORTAGE TO THE SOUTH CAMPSITE
An interesting cliff face in the north end of the lake not far from the Unload Lake portage.
This is a long paddle from the Unload Lake portage to the southern campsite on Gordon Lake. Gordon Lake has two campsites, one on the north end of the lake and one on the south end. You will see most of this long lake during this paddle.
Beaver lodge along the west shore of Gordon Lake near the lakes midsection. There was a mink or pine marten sniffing around this lodge, but didn't get a close enough look for positive identification.
A prominent glacial erratic (large boulder) is present along the east shore, just before entering the narrows leading south out of the north bay of the lake.
Cliffs along the south shore of the eastern most bay of the southern part of Gordon Lake. The portage to Cherokee Lake would be near the far right side of your view along that distant shoreline. The southern campsite on Gordon Lake is to your left from this vantage point.
Canoe perched on the rock ledge that forms an apron along the lakeside frontage of the south campsite. Visit the Campsite -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE SOUTH CAMPSITE TO THE CHEROKEE LAKE PORTAGE
The very southeastern bay at the south end of Gordon Lake where the small creek from Cherokee Lake flows in (far right of your view). This small creek is probably the Long Island River. The Long Island River's headwaters are likely Cherokee Lake.
Paddling southwest from the southern campsite on Gordon Lake over to the Cherokee Lake portage. The creek flowing into Gordon Lake from Cherokee Lake can be seen along the way. The creek isn't next to the portage which is often the case in the BWCA.
