Swollen Ankle Lake
I attempted to bushwhack from the south shore of Fool Lake to Swollen Ankle Lake. While this path appears short on a map, the terrain through this marshy valley connecting Fool Lake to Swollen Ankle Lake is very rugged. The better approach to Swollen Ankle Lake is probably from the south, beginning at Yogi Lake. Another approach would be to come here from Lucky Pay Lake via the creek that connects the two lakes. Can confirm that much of that route is passable, but it is rather long.
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 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 Swollen Ankle Lake
Follow the creek coming into the northeast end of Yogi Lake. Another approach would be floating down the creek from Lucky Pay Lake. This route is long, but passable.
Bushwhack to Swollen Ankle Lake
Bushwhack less than 10 rods from Yogi Lake to a gooey pond located just to its northwest. Cross the pond and from its north end, proceed up the creek to the north and then northwest for about 60 rods until you reach the south shore of an unnamed lake. Paddle across the unnamed lake to its north end, then follow the small creek you find there for about 15 rods (creek is not navigable) to the south end of Swollen Ankle Lake. Note that a prominent creek flows into the east side of this unnamed lake. You can follow this creek (even staying in your canoe a good part of the time) up to Lucky Pay Lake. (Note that Bing Map's provides a beautiful view of this creek and Lucky Pay Lake if you zoom into the 100 foot level in Bird's Eye view. Just search Lucky Pay Lake and zoom in to 100 feet to see it).
Exploring Swollen Ankle Lake
Swollen Ankle Lake's north shore has several large rock outcrops and this may be the most logical place to look for a campsite.
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