Little Copper Lake
Little Copper Lake is bigger than Copper Lake (59 acres versus 34 acres). Therefore, I would surmise that “little copper” is literal, meaning that prospectors found almost no copper around Little Copper Lake. If you visit Copper Lake, there are obvious copper bands in some of the rock outcroppings (bluish gray), particularly at a rocky area across Copper Lake from the creek flowing in from Sora Lake.
A number of smaller burns affected the eastern part of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in 1936, including some areas in the Hairy Lake Primitive Management Area.
1894 saw a large number of fires throughout the entire BWCA. The fire in this area is called the Snipe Lake/Round Lake area to Gunflint Lake/Pine Lake area complex. This fire probably got its start near Round Lake, a popular BWCA entry point.
A large 1875 fire that likely ignited somewhere near Lake Insula and the Hog Lake area. The fire is known as the Alice Lake/Ogishkemuncie Lake/Tuscarora Lake/Cherokee Lake Complex.
This fire started within what is now the Hairy Lake Primitive Management Area. The ignition point was probably somewhere between Mass Lake and Auk Lake. This fire, which took place in 1846, is called the Auk Lake/Long Island Lake/Cross Bay Lake Complex.
The 1824 Long Island Lake/Rush Lake/Loon Lake fire complex probably burned the eastern part of the Hairy Lake Primitive Management Area and moved eastward. It likely started somewhere around Snipe Lake, or perhaps the northwest part of Long Island Lake.
Way back in 1727, the Gordon Lake/Brule Lake/Winchell Lake Complex burned this area. It probably began somewhere near Sawbill Lake.
Approach to Little Copper Lake
From the north end of the bay on the western end of Juniper Lake, look for the small creek or valley to show the way. Suspect that Little Copper Lake drains to the north into Copper Lake.
Bushwhack to Little Copper Lake
A short bushwhack of 15 rods heading north along a small creek through thick forest cover. Note that some bushwhackers may consider coming into Little Copper Lake from Copper Lake. This looks like a difficult route. In my opinion, I would come into this area from Long Island Lake up the creek leading to Yogi Lake and then travel west through Juniper Lake and then into Little Copper Lake.
Exploring Little Copper Lake
Even though this lake looks to be an interesting destination, there were no trip reports to be found on any of the lakes in this area. There is a small island on the south end of the lake and two good sized points on either side of the lakes north end. A difficult traverse could be attempted from the north end of Little Copper Lake up to Copper Lake to make this a through route.
|
