Middle Arrow Lake 2
There is a benchmark on the south end of this lake as shown on MN DNR lake map. This is the largest by area and the longest of the three Arrow lakes. It is not the deepest though.
This area was scorched by the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire that burned much of the southwestern part of the BWCA and was the largest fire in recorded history at about 100,000 acres (almost 10% of the entire BWCA).
There was a large fire in this area around 1863-1864. This fire is known as the North Kawishiwi River/Alice Lake/Cypress Lake/Saganaga Lake Complex. This burn began south of the current BWCAW's southern boundary near the town of Isabella, Minnesota.
Approach to Middle Arrow Lake (Arrow Lake 2)
You get here by starting in Lake Insula, traveling upstream, south along Arrow Creek. When you reach Upper Arrow Lake (Arrow Lake 1), continue south along Arrow Creek toward Middle Arrow Lake (Arrow Lake 2).
Bushwhack to Middle Arrow Lake (Arrow Lake 2)
This bushwhack is a paddle up Arrow Creek. There will likely be obstructions to negotiate, but the route is obvious.
Exploring Middle Arrow Lake (Arrow Lake 2)
An unnamed lake lies to the northeast of Arrow Lake 2. There is a U.S. Geological Survey benchmark at the south end of the lake, just to the east of where Arrow Creek flows in from Lower Arrow Lake (Arrow Lake 3). The benchmark is at the highest point of a prominent 8 foot by 7 foot boulder. This benchmark is said by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to lie 105 feet north and east of the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) rock and log landing. There did used to be a portage path that is shown on the Minnesota DNR survey map that ran to the east of Arrow Creek between Middle Arrow Lake (Arrow Lake 2) and Lower Arrow Lake (Arrow Lake 3). It would be interesting to see if any of this old landing still exists in this area.
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