Voyageurs National Park: Paddling to Namakan Lake from Ash River Visitor Center

Another cool overcast day. Again, we decided to take advantage of low winds by getting out for a paddle. Since we had never paddled on Namakan Lake, I decided it might be fun to put the canoe in the water near the Ash River Visitor Center and paddle to western-most portion of Namakan Lake at Old Dutch Bay. So that's what we did.

The drive to Ash River went quickly. We had picked up a sandwich at Subway and had a picnic lunch at small picnic area at the Voyageur's Forest Overlook Trailhead. When we had finished, we made the short drive to the paddle access, put the canoe in the water and headed east. We passed where Ash River flows into Kabetogama Lake

and shortly after Noelle spotted this chimney.

I got out of the boat to have a look around, but didn't notice anything other than the chimney. We continued east hugging the south shoreline of the lake. 

Soon enough we came to Can 27 and the point where the waterway narrows, separating Kabetogama Lake from Namakan Lake. We circled an interesting looking island there and started to make our way back west. We spotted a nice looking sand beach, beached the canoe and got out for a bit to stretch our legs.

Fall wildflowers are still in bloom, though not for much longer. We spotted lots of asters

and a small pink flower.

 

We got back into the canoe and paddled back towards the boat launch. We spotted a juvenile bald eagle in its nest (unusual for this late in the season when they have long fledged) and a common goldeneye swimming the waters.

The paddle back seemed to go fast.

We spied the Borealis Tour Boat making its way back to the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center from the day's Kettle Falls Cruise.

Then we passed the Ash River Visitor Center

and soon enough we were back at the boat launch.

On the drive home we stopped to take our photos at the leaping walleye Kabeotgama Lake sign.