Sundial Lake
Have not yet visited this Primitive Management Area lake. The information displayed on this page are notes used for planning a future trip to this area. Use the information on this page at your own risk.
For the masochists, we present Sundial Lake. Sundial Lake is a late stage lake that is being devoured from the outside in by peat bogs. But until the peat bogs finally claim it, Sundial will remain the most difficult and least inviting lake in the Sundial Lake Primitive Management Area. This is the only PMA that does not have a lake that is named after a vicious mammal, a bug or some other unpleasant term. However, Sundial Lake itself will be plenty unpleasant to reach for any who choose to make the attempt.
The area south and southwest of Sunday Lake was most recently burned by the White Feather Lake fire in 1996. This fire scorched about 4,750 acres and started along the east side of White Feather Lake and traveled east/northeast through the area where Sundial Lake is located; then continued to just west of Sunday Lake. Prior to 1996, a number of fires affected the area in the 1800's.
The known fires in this region were the 1894 fires (possibly two of them) that are known as the Oriniack/Sioux River/Lac La Croix/Crooked Lake complex and the Chad/Cummings/Lac La Croix/Crooked Lake complex. In 1875 the Mule Creek/Sterling Lake/Sunday Lake/Crooked Lake complex burned much of the area. Eleven years prior to that, in 1864, the Little Indian Sioux River/Lac La Croix/Crooked Lake complex burned here. The oldest fire known to affect the area occurred in 1822 and is referred to as the Hook Lake/Hegman Lake/Crooked Lake complex.
Approach to Sundial Lake
Possibly from Sterling Creek; the section of this creek that enters the south side of Sterling Lake. Taking this creek about as far as you get will get you about 3/4ths of a mile west of Sundial Lake.
Another approach, also from Sterling Creek, begins just west of where Sterling Creek empties into the Beartrap River. Look for a small creek along the south bank and follow it south.
Bushwhack to Sundial Lake
Assuming you traveled up Sterling Creek toward the south from Sterling Lake, you eventually come to a point where the creek is no longer navigable. This is a bit over two miles upstream from Sterling Lake to the southeast. At this point one could travel through light forest and peat bog up a valley for about half a mile to a distinct pond that is 120 rods northwest of Sundial Lake. Bushwhack to the southeast to Sundial Lake from here. There appears to be some ridges and rock outcrops in this area, so how difficult the travel will be is anyones guess.
The other route, starts from Sterling Creek near its mouth at the Beartrap River. Just upstream of the mouth on Sterling Creek's south bank, find the small creek that heads south into the peat bog. Follow this tiny creek for about a half mile. During high water, with a small canoe, it may be floatable. In any event, it makes it easy to stay on the correct path and reduce your chances of getting lost. Anyway, after a half mile or so, the creek continues south into forest cover. Head straight south until you break out into a giant peat bog about 60 rods distant. Now follow the northwest edge of this peat bog until the forest edge bends to the south and you simultaneously encounter a small creek. Follow the small creek through the woods for about 20 rods and you will exit the forest and enter another peat bog. Sundial Lake should be visible about 25 rods away from here.
Exploring Sundial Lake
Would be surprised if anyone has been here since they area became the Sundial Primitive Management Area.
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