PERENT LAKE CAMPSITES: Campsite 1 (#1001): On the east shoreline in the northeast part of the lake near the big island Campsite 2 (#1023): Northernmost campsite on this lake Campsite 3 (#1022): On the narrow island in the northeast bay of the lake Campsite 4 (#1002): This is the fourth campsite east of the Perent River portage on the point along north shoreline Campsite 5 (#1003): This is the third campsite east of the Perent River portage along north shoreline
Perent Lake is named for "Tame" Tom Parent who was a well known trapper in the area. The lakes name was mispelled. Tom worked the traplines in this area from around 1901 to about 1921. His business partner was Bill Pemble (aka Wild Bill).
Perent Lake is set in a large shallow basin. Most of the lake is relatively shallow, with the lake having a maximum depth of 38 feet. Hog Creek flows into Perent Lake near the eastern end of the southeast bay of the lake. The Perent River flows out of the lake at the lakes westernmost tip. The Perent River eventually flows into Lake Isabella.
There used to be a long but otherwise unremarkable portage stretching from Perent Lake to the shore of Kawishiwi Lake. This portage is no longer maintained, but it still exists (very difficult to follow because it is so overgrown, have knowledge of compass/GPS). The portage used to allow for a large south/west loop beginning at Kawishiwi Lake. The other routes from Perent Lake are via Hog Creek and the Perent River. There are 13 portages along the Perent River between Perent Lake and Lake Isabella. Perent Lake is the source of the Perent River. Perent Lake is the location of the mouth of Hog Creek.
There are 20 campsites on Perent Lake of which six are located on islands. The campsites on the western side of Perent Lake (near where the Perent River flows out) tend to see fewer visitors. The campsites near the mouth of Hog Creek typically fill up fast during the peak canoeing season.
The area around Perent Lake hasn't seen a major wildfire since the late 1700's.
Logging roads extending east from Forest Center near Lake Isabella allowed for loggers to reach the northwestern part of Perent Lake. This area was heavily logged in the 1950's and early 1960's (Heinselman). In the late 1960's and early 1970's the areas to the north and south of Perent Lake saw more logging by the Consolidated Papers Company. Logging came to an end in this part of the BWCA (because of legal action) around 1973.
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PADDLING FROM THE MOUTH OF HOG CREEK TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1001
Paddle westbound and then turn north following the change of islands along the east shoreline of Perent Lake. The campsite is near the entrance to the north arm of the lake on the east shore. Visit BWCA Campsite 1001 -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1001 TO THE KAWISHIWI LAKE UNMAINTAINED PORTAGE
Paddle up the east shoreline of the northeastern arm of Perent Lake. There is an island to your left (west). Head for the north end of the lake. The unmaintained portage has an easily spotted landing consisting of a flat slab of rock with big boulder perched out in front of it. Portage to Kawishiwi Lake -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE KAWISHIWI LAKE UNMAINTAINED PORTAGE TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1023
Just following the north shoreline west for a short distance and you will come to the campsite. Visit BWCA Campsite 1023 -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1023 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1022
Leave the campsite and paddle straight south to the campsite which is near the middle of the long, narrow island in the northeast arm of Perent Lake. The campsite actually has two portage landings on each side of the island. You are paddling in this video the the landing on the west side of the island. Visit BWCA Campsite 1022 -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1022 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1002
Paddling roughly 1.3-miles on a southwest heading (more or less) to the point on the north shore of the entrance to the western bay of Perent Lake. This point is just northeast of a large island in that bay. Visit BWCA Campsite 1002 -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1002 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1003
Head straight west keeping relatively close to the north shoreline. In the summertime, water reeds with fill the shallows out in front of the campsite. Visit BWCA Campsite 1003 -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1003 TO THE MOUTH OF HOG CREEK
Paddle south/southeast to the south shore of the west bay of Perent Lake. Follow the shoreline around the point and then head east/southeast to the easternmost end of Perent Lake. The mouth of Hog Creek is easy to spot. Paddle Hog Creek -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
Route Connections for Perent Lake
From Perent Lake, you can paddle up Hog Creek or portage into the Perent River. There is also a two mile long very difficult unmaintained portage to Kawishiwi Lake.
