8/27/26- Upon arrival at Sawbill back in June, I planned the most epic canoe trip of my life: a 4-day Little Saganaga loop starting at Kawishiwi and ending at Sawbill. A few weeks later, I received the devastating news that my permit had been cancelled due to the fires. I shed a tear.
But hope was not lost.
I had three more vacation days lined up for a trip in August. 4 days, 11 hours, and 37 minutes before my days off, a permit for Brant Lake opened up. The most epic canoe trip of my life was back on, just from a different direction. On day 1, we would enter at Round Lake, paddle to Brant, through Gillis, up to French Lake, over to Virgin, and into Little Sag. Day two we would paddle through Mora and Crooked Lakes and camp on Tuscarora. On the last day, we would exit through Missing Link.
Lauren (2025 crew) and Dani (my college roomie!) joined me, and we put a Northwind18 on my civic; a true test of my tie-down skills.
After a helpful clue from the Tuscarora staff about low water levels, we put in at Round lake at 11:15 am and set off for Little Sag.
Day 1 started with swift progress. Gotter Lake had drained, though the new unmapped portage on the northern side of the lake was easy to spot. After about 4 hours, we made it to Gillis. From there, our progress slowed as we apparently took the route less travelled to Little Sag.
We reached Little Sag around 6 pm and paddled straight for a campsite (east island site) recommended by Sawbill’s very own: Jessica Hemmer. Sure enough, it was the Best Campsite Ever, featuring a cliff rock face up to the fire grate and a trail to the western side of the island for great sunset views.
At the early hour of 11 am the next morning, we set off for Tuscarora Lake, and we soon encountered the Best Portage Ever. The portage between Little Sag and Mora Lake features an overlook to a river below, and a waterfall near the eastern side.
After reaching Tuscarora, we bypassed the first open site in search of a better one. Unbeknownst to us, that was probably the only open site on the lake. An hour later, hangry and weary, we had found almost every other campsite. We paddled back to the first one, feeling a little silly.
We started off day 3 super-duper early at 9 am for our 363 rod portage to Missing Link. Even with the low water levels, the portage was flooded near Contest lake.
Lauren took an unplanned swim to the next portage after falling into the water while trying to enter the canoe. Like the safety-minded queen that she is, she was wearing her lifejacket.
After reaching Round Lake and squeezing into my car, we headed back down the Gunflint Trail. Like every good canoe trip, we ended it with a stop at the Angry Trout in Grand Marais for some delicious fish tacos.
And now here is a quick overview of the wildlife we encountered: 34 loons, 2 turtles, 1 crayfish, 1 hummingbird, and 20ish mergansers.
Because it wouldn’t be The Best Trip Ever without my favorite, squishy, blood-sucking creatures, we found 6 leaches on ourselves.
It was epic.
-Megan