Humpback Lake
This is likely a very beautiful lake nestled into an open forest to the east of Adams Lake. Thinking that the name refers to the geographic shape of the lake or to the island “hump” in the middle of the lake. Several submerged islands, just east of the lakes largest island, also kind of resemble a pod of humpback whales beneath the surface in satellite images.
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 Humpback Lake
The approach begins at the creek flowing into the very eastern tip of Adams Lake.
Bushwhack to Humpback Lake
The bushwhack is not complicated as it follows a creek the entire way. That being said, the creek for the most part appears to be unnavigable as it flows through forest that presses in closely to the creeks banks for a good part of its length. The remainder of the creek passes through peat bog, but through these sections the creek is quite narrow and vegetation choked. The entire length of the creek between Adams Lake and Humpback Lake is about half a mile (160 rods).
Exploring Humpback Lake
Little Humpback Lake has a very rocky shoreline covered in a thin forest that probably allows quite a bit of light to reach the forest floor. The lake has a large and prominent rocky island in the middle. There several submerged islands just to the east of the large island. Another small rock island is in the eastern end of the lake. A couple of points, also with lots of exposed rock, jut into the south shore of the lake. This lake has potential for good water clarity because of its rocky shoreline and hard bottom. The submerged island is easily visible in satellite images lending support to this lake having clear water.
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