Читать книгу Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Western Region - Robert Beymer - Страница 15

Entry Point

4 Crab Lake

DAILY QUOTA: 4 CLOSEST RANGER STATION: Kawishiwi Ranger Station

LOCATION Crab Lake is accessible from Burntside Lake, a very popular and populated lake about 4 miles northwest of Ely. Several public boat landings are situated around Burntside Lake. The most convenient to Ely, and with the best access is located along the south shore near the center of the lake. From its junction with Highway 1-169, 4.75 miles west of the International Wolf Center in Ely, drive north on CR 88 for 2.3 miles to CR 404 (the Van Vac Road). Turn left and drive 1.2 miles west on this good, scenic, paved road to a DNR public access. The boat landing is 0.2 mile north (right) of the Van Vac Road. A parking lot adjacent to the boat landing is large enough to accommodate as many as 15 vehicles.

If there is a strong west wind, you might prefer starting your trip at a different public landing, located at the southwest end of Burntside Lake. From Highway 1-169, 8.75 miles west of Ely, drive north on CR 404 (Wolf Lake Road) for 2.2 miles. The road leads to an inconspicuous one-lane road on the right, which, in turn, leads 0.2 mile north to the shore of Burntside Lake. The turnoff to this rough and winding gravel road may not be marked, but it is shared by private property identified with Fire Number 3319. The landing has very little space for parking and even less room to turn around. The more convenient and spacious public landing off the Van Vac Road is a much better choice if wind is not a problem.

LISTENING POINT

Sigurd Olson, naturalist and writer, built a log cabin in the 1950s on the eastern shore of Burntside Lake. Called Listening Point, the one room structure is listed on National Register of Historic Places. Olson actively worked to protect the environment and worked with groups like the Izaak Walton League, the National Parks Association, and the Wilderness Society. The quotation that follows describes one reason to paddle in the BWCA.

I named this place Listening Point because only when one

comes to listen, only when one is aware and still, can things be

seen and heard.

—Sigurd Olson

DESCRIPTION Camping is prohibited at both public landings, but you will find a nice campground at Bearhead Lake State Park where you can spend the night prior to your canoe trip. The campground has well water, hot showers, and a nice sand beach for swimming. The park is located 7 miles south of Highway 1-169, about midway between Ely and Tower-Soudan. A fee is charged there, both for camping and for access to the park.