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Another Story by Norm Hooper

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Sept 13^th – We were up bright and early in order to break camp and embark on our voyage to Cauchon Lake. We decided to leave some equipment under a tarp, trusting that it would not be disturbed, and to retrieve it upon our return on Friday.

The weather was in our favour with sunny, blue skies and a mist hovering over calm waters. At 9:45 am, we broke camp with Norm H. soloing with a heavy load in the bow and Wayne and Norm R. in the second canoe. In the distance, we could see two canoeists departing from their island campsite and heading in the same direction as ourselves. Our familiarity with the waterways made maneuvering through the shoals and narrows much easier and with time on our side, we took some photos of the unique surroundings.

Wayne and Norm R.

the narrows

On Laurel Lake, we experienced some difficulty in locating our next portage that was eventually found next to a logjam atop a waterfall. Norm H., while looking down into the shallow, clear water at the base of the waterfall, spotted a foot long spike lying on the lake bottom. Removing the encrusted rust and stones, the spike resembled a relic of centuries past used in the construction of a bridge or railway. It didn’t take very long, once exposed to the air, for the spike to rust again - cleaned and given a protective sealant, the spike will become a definite souvenir from the trip. We marveled at the steepness and extent of the next portage with its protruding rocks and roots - one of the most excruciating to date – our photos should confirm this opinion!

Laurel Lake

Laurel Lake portage

Wayne soloed the narrows of Little Cauchon Lake and found the westerly winds and waves to be very persistent, making control of the canoe very difficult. After Norm H and Wayne exchanged canoes, we entered the openness of the lake. Norm H. soon experienced the sudden changes of direction of the canoe’s bow caused by the increasing wind. Without warning, the wind would catch the bow and almost turned it broadside. It was crucial to paddle and maneuver the canoe out of the reach of errant sideswiping waves that attempted to capsize and/or turn the canoe around. On one such occasion, it required approximately 50 powerful strokes of the paddle with body bent into the wind to survive the challenge of the wind and waves. Sixty seconds can be a long time under such circumstances!

train trestle on Mink Lake

Norm and Norm on Mink Lake

Before reaching the end of the lake, we saw a few cottages/lodges that must have belonged to some outfitters and/or park employees. Beneath the train bridge, some beavers tried to block the passage by building a dam. Two canoeists, who had just paddled from Mink Lake, had removed enough branches to enable a canoe to pass without too much difficulty. Paddling through a pond laden with lily pads and then under another abandoned train bridge, we finally entered Cauchon Lake. After facing more strong winds along the left shore for about a kilometre, we found the perfect campsite, but it was already occupied. By mid-afternoon, the winds increased in velocity and in a short time span, whitecaps began appearing on the waves. We had no other choice but to cross the lake to where we could see several available campsites. By this time, getting off the lake became the priority. Wayne and Norm R. did not experience difficulty controlling their canoe; however, Norm H’s canoe was carried downwind towards a rocky point. To avoid being swept ashore, he had to wait for a "window of calm" enabling him to tack his canoe and head out into the openness of the lake to a point where he could safely tack again; this time, downwind towards the encampment, and without incident.

We scouted the campsites and decided to take the one we had originally chosen under a grove of tall pine trees. After setting up camp, gathering firewood and eating some snack foods and soup, we installed a windbreaker after the winds subsided. Supper consisted of powdered potatoes and gravy, beef burgundy, veggie pasta and dessert. Exhausted, we sat around the campfire for about an hour after supper and were in bed by 10 pm. Under an overcast sky with light winds sweeping through the pine trees, sleep came easily.

preparing lunch

campsite on Cauchon Lake

Cauchen Lake

evening

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Another Story by Norm Hooper

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copyright 2001 by Norm Hooper
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