BWCA Campsite 1396 on Fraser

It was a surprisingly comfortable site, considering how few amenities it has. The takeout is sandy, but the adjacent rock is a nicer place to swim due to the muck that starts not far off shore. It's quite shallow at this end of the bay, so probably not good for fishing. There's no reason for someone to come this way except to stay at this site, so it's quite private. We spotted a beaver and an otter, as well as numerous birds. The fire crate is very badly tilted, and the jack pine wood was really struggling to stay lit. There's no shortage of twigs, but they didn't want to burn. The seating around the kitchen is really worn out (luckily we brought our own chairs), and there's little shelter right over the kitchen. The best tree for hanging the food bag is just behind the latrine, which is in full view of the kitchen. It wasn't horrible for the two of us, but it would get awkward real fast with three or more people. One of the tent pads is under a widowmaker. The other tent pad worked out well for our 2-person tent, but it wouldn't have fit anything larger. The tent pads had decent shelter, however, and were nice and shady in the morning. There is more open area that could be used for tents in a pinch, but I wouldn't call them tent pads. There is a nice cliff just across the bay, and the sunsets are probably nice (we had an overcast evening).

This campsite is at the end of a dead-end bay, so you probably will not get many visitors down here. There are a few landing options. I landed on a narrow rock ledge with brush nearby, which made it tight. There is also a shallow sandy inlet that would probably be the best place to unload. The campsite itself is mostly an open grassy area next to the water, roughly rectangular and about 50 feet along shore by 20 feet deep. The fire grate is almost right on the water and has an excellent unobstructed view of the bay. There is not much shelter in the main kitchen area, but one tent pad north of the kitchen sits under the branches of a white pine and is partly screened from the water. Another good tent pad, probably the best one, is up a small incline behind the main camp area and has a pine duff floor under a big white pine. There is also a smaller good tent pad in the main camp area. A couple of other tents could fit in the main area, though those spots are not as level. The biggest downside is that the latrine is in full view of the main camp, even though it is tucked under a big white pine and has an oddly pleasant setting for a latrine. Overall, this is a good campsite with nice solitude at the end of the bay.

Latrine visible from camp. Poor landing with poor water quality. Good bear hang and hammock spot. Bay shared by a beaver

Secluded bay site with a lot of big flies and occasional bees, which mostly left us alone surprisingly. Not a lot of room at the site, but it's got a nice view of the bay. Shallow water in the bay wasn't the greatest in quality (like the clear water on Knife) but it was OK. The landing is shallow and sandy and is a decent spot to bathe right out in front of the site. Wouldn't mind staying here again but would rather try a different site like the island to the south or #1397 to the northeast.