Besides the religious connotation, the name Vesper may also be a reference to "evening" or to "the evening star". The evening star of course is the planet Venus. Have not definitively determined how the lake came to be known as Vesper Lake though.
The entire route between Cherokee Lake and Brule Lake through Town Lake, Vesper Lake, Gasket Lake and Cam Lake is one of the prettiest routes in the BWCA. It is also one of the hardest. The portage between Town Lake and Vesper Lake is probably the worst of the portages in this area. The portage was overgrown, very rocky, muddy and had treacherous footing in many places. There were extensive signs of moose inhabiting the area, but did not see any directly. The portage to Gasket Lake is no pushover either as it climbs over the Laurentian Divide (similar to the Continental Divide, but it divides the continent north/south rather than east/west and determines whether water flows to the Arctic Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean). There were several areas of deadfall on this one that required attention. Moose signs were prevalent on this portage too.
Because there are no campsites between Cherokee Lake and Brule Lake (except the one on ths south shore of Town Lake, which is a good one I might add), you can't spend a lot of time on any of these lakes. Try to get an early start so you can enjoy the area. You will probably want to relax a bit between the exhausting portages anyway.
There was a fire to the northeast of Vesper Lake, but there is no sign that it reached Vesper Lake's shoreline. The lake is surrounded by high hills and has several prominent cliffs along its shoreline. All in all, this is a very pretty lake. Was too tired to bother with the fishing, but maybe you'll have more energy for it. Did I mention that the portages to this lake are really tough?
Vesper Lake drains to the west through a small creek and marsh to Town Lake. The lake has no significant inflows.
References:
Beymer, Robert, Boundary Waters Canoe Area – Volume 2 – Eastern Region (Berkeley: Wilderness Press, 2006), 77 .
PADDLING FROM THE TOWN LAKE PORTAGE TO THE GASKET LAKE PORTAGE
Looking east into Vesper Lake from the channel where the portage to Town Lake is located. This is a nasty portage if there ever was one. Keep an eye out for moose.
Looking down the west shore of Vesper Lake which is dominated by a fairly high cliff. You are looking toward the south.
A pretty lake if there ever was one. Paddle out of the short channel where the Town Lake portage is located and into the main part of the lake. Staying right, follow the shoreline over to the Gasket Lake portage. Keep an eye out for moose in this area as signs of them were visible along the portages.
Looking pretty much straight north from the portage leading to Gasket Lake. This is another difficult portage, but not as rough as the portage between Town Lake and Vesper Lake.
A look down the south shore of Vesper Lake to the east. Another large cliff rises above the southeast part of the lake.
Taking in a view of most of Vesper Lake. The lake has several prominent cliffs. The entire lake is actually quite scenic. Highly recommend visiting this part of the BWCA.
