BWCA Campsite 1287 on Birch

Small rock point is closest thing to a classic Canadian Shield BWCA campsite on Birch Lake. The landing is alongside of point that could be wind exposed. One paddler could be on ledge to hand gear or receive gear from partner in canoe, Or canoe could nose in and work the gear to and from the bow. There is room to store 3 canoes alongside landing. The average sized clearing is partially open with cedar trees that have suffered ax damage. The kitchen is quite close to the water, but the high grate is protected with an impressive pile of rocks. There is 2 log seating close to the grate. There are 2 tent sites in the clearing, but they are rocky. Two excellent sites are off the right--the one closest to the water could hold 2 tents. There are a couple other emergency possibilities, including on the point. There is deep water off the point for swimming. Trees are mostly small with no obvious pack hangers. Fishing must be good because there is an impressively constructed rock live well. A special feature is a long trail on the ridge separating Birch from Moose where you can view both lakes. There are also 2 private tent sites on this ridge trail where it returns to the lake. This is a nice site for larger groups with intangibles that argue for 5 stars.

Sure, we heard motors from time to time, but the traffic was actually surprisingly light. I suspect most of the folks heading up or down Birch Lake go through the 5 rod portage to the south, so don't really approach this site. It wasn't nearly as busy as Knife Lake was further northeast. The sunrise was very bright, since nearly all the trees by the tent and kitchen areas are bare below 20 feet, but after an hour or so, started providing ok shade. The sunset could be seen from the path out to the point. The take out was a little tricky, but the swimming was okay. Plenty of places for hammocks and easy to hang the food bag. The smoke was fairly thick from the forest fires, but we still saw a few meteors and lots of stars from the point in the middle of the night. A family of loons kept us company during the evening. This site would be a good option for a group leaving Basswood Lake, rather than risk the sites on Sucker Lake being full.

"Bear's Honey Hole." We were kind of crammed when setting up 3 tents here although we probably could have made it work a little better than we did. The landing at this site is a bit tricky, but not terrible. My biggest complaint of this site was that the sun in the morning reflected off the water so bright that it made it difficult to sit around the campfire early in the day. Fishing around the camp was no good, but we did catch plenty of smallies and pike working our way around the big island to the north. The wind was pretty heavy at times on this lake though and we had trouble several times steering our canoes around to get back to the campsite.

This would be 4 stars easy if not for being able to hear motors on Sucker when it's still. Really 3 1/2 now. Good landing and swimming, lots of tent pads, and two way out on point while camp is really in a cove.