Jupiter Lake
Jupiter Lake is named after the chief Roman god or for the largest and fifth planet from the Sun. In Roman mythology, Jupiter is the god of the heavens and the weather. Jupiter Lake would certainly be a good place to observe the night sky on a clear night, especially from the open rocky point on the south part of the lakes large island.
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 Jupiter Lake
On Maniwaki Lake, find the creek flowing into the lakes northeast shore toward the lakes east end. The creek heads north at first. The bay where this creek flows in is shallow and heavily vegetated. This is the same approach as is used to get to Yoke Lake.
Bushwhack to Jupiter Lake
This bushwhack is straightforward, but quite long. It is over two miles from Maniwaki Lake out to Jupiter Lake (and Yoke Lake). Just follow the creek. Much of the creek appears to be paddle worthy. The creek gets quite narrow as you travel further and further east, but the creek remains well defined on satellite images. Just before you reach Jupiter Lake, a tiny (likely not navigable in a floating canoe) creek splits off and heads north. This little creek leads to Yoke Lake.
Exploring Jupiter Lake
A large island forms a point of mostly rock on the west side of the lake. An extremely long north arm of the lake connects it with its outflow creek. Several other bays make the lake more interesting.
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