Pakwene 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.
Pakwene (sometimes spelled Pakween on older BWCA maps) is two bushwhacks into the Tick Lake Primitive Management Area from Niki Lake which will be enough to dissuade most people from trying to visit it.
Little Pakwene Lake appears to be a fairly non-descript lake from reviews of satellite images. The entire lakes appears to be fairly shallow, with the northend having a shoreline edged with peat bog, and the south half of the lake having a shore covered in forest. Most 1993 and older maps show a campsite on Pakwene Lake, on the southeast end next to the formerly maintained portage that leads to Maingan Lake.
The fire history of this area includes the 1894 Chad Lake/Cummings Lake/Lac La Croix/Crooked Lake complex. This was one of two large fires that affected the western part of what is now known as the BWCA during that year.
Another fire affected this area way back in 1822. This burn is known as the Hook Lake/Hegman Lake/Crooked Lake complex.
Approach to Pakwene Lake
You can come at Pakwene Lake from either Gypo Lake to the west, or Maingan Lake to the east.
Bushwhack to Pakwene Lake
From Gypo Lake: The 2011 McKenzie #11 map still shows a faint "dotted line" trail connecting Gypo Lake to Pakwene Lake. All the 1993 and earlier Fisher Maps show a formerly maintained portage of 165 rods between these two lakes. Likely it is a strenous bushwhack on an overgrown trail. Having a trail to follow eliminates the otherwise necessary orientation which makes things a bit easier.
From Maingan Lake: The 2011 McKenzie #11 map also shows a faint "dotted line" trail connecting Pakwene Lake to Maingan Lake. This trail follows contours which make it a downhill bushwhack from Pakwene Lake to Maingan Lake. A small hill will be on your left about midway along this route, that the trail skirts, if heading towards Maingan Lake from Pakwene Lake.
Exploring Pakwene Lake
This is a small lake and seems relatively featureless from satellite images. Who knows though, could be some interesting things to see that are only visible from the ground. In any event, you could try to find the old campsite on the south end of the lake. Some reports on the Internet that this campsite was destroyed by a tornado or wind event. This campsite should be very close to the faint trail leading to Maingan Lake. Also, finding the old trail leading to Gypo Lake will be worth your time, especially if you are doing a through route of this area.
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