Myth Lake
Myth Lake may get its name from the fact that the lake is probably somewhat intermittent, as much of its basin is already peat bog. During periods of heavy precipitation, there is possibly enough water here to qualify this as a small lake. The mythical waters of Myth Lake drain through a small creek out the northeast end of the lake. This creek empties into Don Lake about a half mile downstream.
There is another Myth Lake in the BWCA, which is located just to the northwest of Quadga Lake.
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.
One of the huge 1863-64 fires, namely the North Kawishiwi River/Alice Lake/Cypress Lake/Saganaga Lake Complex, ravaged this area. This fire likely started near the town of Isabella, Minnesota.
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.
Way back in 1727, the Gordon Lake/Brule Lake/Winchell Lake Complex burned this area. It probably began somewhere near Sawbill Lake.
Approach to Myth Lake
From the north shore, near the east end of Pencil Lake.
Bushwhack to Myth Lake
Start at the swampy shore that lines the north shore of Pencil Lake, near its east end. Proceed due north for maybe 50 rods through the forest until you come to the south end of a peat bog at GPS point: 47.994096, -90.872391. Next, head to the northwest across this peat bog for about 30 rods, looking for a small creek that flows through the area. Take this creek through a line of trees to the north for about 10 rods. When you get to the other side of the tree line, you will have reached the south shore of Myth Lake. However, it will probably look like a peat bog. If you continue to follow the small creek, you will hit open water in another 30 to 40 rods; the last vestiges of open water that remain of Myth Lake.
Exploring Myth Lake
There are two areas of open water in this area. The eastern area is certainly part of Myth Lake; about a quarter mile to the west, connected to the eastern section by a peat bog is another, larger area of open water. Difficult to say if these water filled basins are both part of Myth Lake, or not. The peat bog between these two areas of open water was most likely part of the larger lake long ago, but it is usually dry now.
|
