SKIPPER LAKE CAMPSITE:
Campsite 1 (#614): This is the only campsite on the lake and its along the north shoreline
If you are trying to decide on whether to reserve the Skipper Lake Entry Point or the Meeds Lake Entry Point, most groups will find that the portage between Poplar Lake and Skipper Lake is a little bit easier, even though it is a tad longer. Also it is a much shorter paddle from the landing on Poplar Lake to the Skipper Lake portage.
There are two ways to get to Rush Lake from BWCA Entry Point 49. One is through Skipper Lake and the other is from Portage Lake. Portage Lake is accessed from the north through Iron Lake. Groups staying at the Iron Lake Campground would logically find it easier to enter from the Portage Lake direction rather than driving over to Poplar Lake to start their trip. No matter which way you take, travelers along the route between Poplar Lake and Long Island Lake will have much of the wilderness to themselves. Both permits for the Skipper Lake entry point are often not reserved. The mile long portage between Poplar Lake and Skipper Lake discourages many parties.
The Banadad Trail that passes through this part of the forest to the south of Skipper Lake. It is a remnant of a gravel road that was built by the Consolidated Papers Company. This road extended into the forest from the terminus of the old General Logging Company railroad which was located about one mile to the southeast of the eastern end of Poplar Lake (Heinselman). You cross a spur trail leading to the Banadad Trail when portaging from Poplar Lake to Skipper Lake. You will also cross it again when portaging between Rush Lake and Banadad Lake.
Although not shown on most maps, there used to be a portage from Skipper Lake to Lum Lake. This portage can be found in the small bay along the south shoreline of Skipper Lake, about 1/2 mile east of the creek leading to Little Rush Lake. As of 2023, the first 20 rods or so of this portages can be followed easily, but beyond that, the path quickly disappears becoming a bushwhack.
Little Rush Lake flows into Skipper Lake from the west. Skipper Lake in turn flows out to the east into Poplar Lake.
A prescribed burn was carried out along the southern shores of Skipper Lake in 2010. This fire was used to clear some of the debris from damaged caused by the 1999 windstorm.
References:
Beymer, Robert, Boundary Waters Canoe Area – Volume 2 – Eastern Region (Berkeley: Wilderness Press, 2006), 126, 127, 129, 132.
Heinselman, Miron, The Boundary Waters Wilderness Ecosystem (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1999), 118.
Pauly, Daniel, Exploring the Boundary Waters (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2005), 301.
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PADDLING FROM THE POPLAR LAKE PORTAGE TO THE LITTLE RUSH LAKE PORTAGE
A look to the east into the back of the northeast arm of Skipper Lake where the Poplar Lake portage is located.
Paddling the length of Skipper Lake from east to west, staying mostly along the north shoreline of the lake.
PADDLING FROM THE LITTLE RUSH LAKE PORTAGE TO THE UNMAINTAINED LUM LAKE PORTAGE
The unmaintained portage to Lum Lake is easily found. It is straight across the lake from the only campsite on Skipper Lake. It is at the back of the bay in that area which is on the south side of the lake. Look for a big log that was obviously cut with a saw.
PADDLING FROM THE UNMAINTAINED LUM LAKE PORTAGE TO THE POPLAR LAKE PORTAGE
The somewhat miserable Lum Lake portage (unmaintained) landing is in this little inlet behind the large sawn log. This portage landing is directly across from the only campsite on Skipper Lake. It is found in the back of a small bay on the south side of the lake.
After pulling away from the landing, head to nearly the very east end of Skipper Lake where you'll find the portage landing to Poplar Lake. The landing is marked by a slab of exposed rock.
Route Connections for Skipper Lake
From Skipper Lake, you can portage to either Little Rush Lake or Poplar Lake. There is also an unmaintained portage that isn't on most maps, that leads to Lum Lake. This portage was nearly impassable without serious bushwhacking when explored in 2023.
