Mugwump Lake
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There is a lot of blow down around Mugwump Lake as it was impacted by the 1999 Independence Day windstorm.
Mugwump is a noun in the English language and refers to a person who remains aloof or alone. The word also originated from the Algonquian language in the 1800’s and means ‘great chief’. Either usage of the word seems reasonable for describing this isolated lake.
In 1875, a large fire complex called the Alice Lake/Ogishkemuncie Lake/Tuscarora Lake/Cherokee Lake Complex burned the area around all those major lakes. It probably started near Lake Insula or the Hog Lake area.
There was another large fire in this area around 1863-1864. This fire is known as the North Kawishiwi River/Alice Lake/Cypress Lake/Saganaga Lake Complex. Like the fire that burned this area in 1875, it began south of the current BWCAW's southern boundary.
Approach to Mugwump Lake
From Raven Lake: Begin from the small inlet on the south side of the very east end of Raven Lake. There seems to be a drainage here, but not a creek. Raven Lake and Mugwump Lake are not hydrologically connected.
From Cap Lake: Head to the most northern tip of Cap Lake and scope out the tiny creek that flows in there. Follow it north.
Bushwhack to Mugwump Lake
From Raven Lake: Bushwhack directly east about 100 rods through the forest until you reach the west shore of Mugwump Lake. There is some blow down in this area so this will be a tough route. The route up from Cap Lake, while substantially longer, may be the better choice.
From Cap Lake: For 20 rods, follow the tiny creek through the forest heading north until you come to the south end of a peat bog. Follow the creek across the peat bog for another 40 rods, still heading mostly north. The creek enters another band of forest and 10 rods later emerges into a second peat bog. Next, head across the second peat bog in a west/northwest direction, for about 40 rods, aiming for the forest line on its western boundary. Keep this forest edge on your left as you follow the peat bog around to your left (west). In another 20 rods, you will arrive at a marshy, unnamed lake. Paddle along the north shore of this lake to the west until you come across a larger creek flowing in to the lakes northern tip. Paddle up the creek for about 70 rods at which point the creek is encroached by forest and becomes unnavigable. Bushwhack along the creek to the northeast about 35 rods and you arrive at yet another peat bog. The creek opens up again here and flows mostly north/south through the peat bog. Paddle about 100 rods up the creek and you will arrive at the southeastern bay of Mugwump Lake. Sounds miserable.
Exploring Mugwump Lake
This lake is generally nondescript. The entire shoreline is forested with little to no peat bogs. The western and north shore of Mugwump Lake look to have been hit pretty good by the 1999 windstorm. The lake has little vegetation on its surface and probably has some reasonably deep water.
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