Trip Report
Sept 25-26,1999
submitted by Judy Larson-Clements

We, Ron Rosner, Ronnie Hess, Al Gaines, Bob Bennicoff, Gerry Weber,
Bonnie Wolff, Jay & Jeff  (sorry I didn't get their last names) and
myself,  had a great time on the Deerskin River /Blackjack Creek Trip.
I can't remember the name of the road we put in on, but it was suitable
and the one campsite there (which was occupied) even had an official
throne in the woods. We launched about 11 am.

The Deerskin was a bit low and the alders closed in close around the
clear, sparkling river, but since I had Kasy's H2O Pro ww canoe I was
able to lean it quite a bit to skirt around the tight bends and avoid
being caught up in the branches.  However, it was a good thing I had my
long-sleeved skirt on. There were quite a few downed trees in the way,
but we either managed to cut through them or crawl over them without too
much difficulty.  If we do it again we'd like to bring two saws and
spend a bit more time cutting though.

The paddle up Blackjack Creek, which had practically no flow, was
clogged with water plants and it was considerable work getting up it to
our campsite which we reached about 2, maybe 3 pm.  However, the
campsite on Blackjack Creek was fantastic!  It was way up on the top of
a high hill that overlooked the marsh and the surrounding forest which
the creek cut through. It was a wonderfully wide view.  The breeze was
fairly brisk and the temperature fairly perfect for a lite jacket.
Though in the morning the wind picked up and I had some trouble taking
down and folding my tent as neatly as I would have liked. A couple of
paddlers opted to camp near the creek and the canoes and thus avoided
both the long haul up the hill and the stiff breeze.

When the full moon came up it was covered by a thick cloud mass, but it
managed to peek thru on occasion, while we had a not-quite welcome
discussion of UFO's, unexplained mysteries, and ghosts and gory things.
Since Ron assured me he'd never had a bear in the area and the moon was
shining somewhat, I managed to fall asleep and have a peaceful night.
About 2 am I happened to awaken and climbed out on my tent (first time
it was set up out-of-doors).  The sky was mostly clear overhead and I
was bathed in the bright moonlight.  It was so bright it was almost like
a solar eclipse and washed out all but a few of the brightest stars.

As far as food goes Saturday lunch was had on a footbridge over the
Deerskin and dinner was at our campsite of course.  Since Al & I were
having a hard time figuring out what to bring for meals we had decided
to we'd share and  take one meal a piece. So for dinner I made angel
hair pasta with sauce, fresh veggies and rolls. I think I'll skip the
pasta next time, unless I can bring more water, since it required quite
a bit to make, and I can find something to drain it better with.  For
breakfast Sunday I first visited with Bob & Gerry who provided us with
hot fresh coffee and even cream (Ron had individual little creams that
didn't require refrigeration, an example I plan to use).  Al made
potatoes sliced and fried in olive oil and scrambled eggs with a bit of
cheese.  It was very good and I may have to figure out a way to get Al
to cook more often.  Lunch was had on an earthen dam on the Deerskin and
we all shared whatever we had left.  My oatmeal cookies, though by this
time rather smashed, were eating ravenously since they were the first
thing out.

You see, after rejoining the Deerskin where we had gone up the Blackjack
the day before, we soon found ourselves on a LONG, narrow, marshy lake
with a huge wind blowing across it.  We only had one capsize at the very
beginning when the other solo ww canoe came around a bend and was
whacked by a strong gust. While the rest of the group helped get the
canoe righted and bailed Ron suggested that I go on ahead since I was
having a hard time keeping up with Kasy's high sided ww canoe  on the
previous windy winding section we had just finished.  So I headed out
and really struggled with the wind until I decided to use the high sides
to my advantage and just started tacking.  About half was across the
lake Ron & Ronnie caught up with me and even they were blown backwards
considerable distances multiple times the wind being so strong.  At
about the 3/4 point Al caught up with us and was able to see the two
otters just head of me that had been escorting me the entire length of
the lake.  They looked quite happy playing in the water.  The first
otters I'd ever seen in the wild.

The rest of the Deerskin was absolutely beautiful with big boulders,
gravely bottom, and gorgeous trees in their bright autumn attire.  We
took out at Range Line Road about 5:30 or so I think, which was much
later than expected.  Thankfully, since I  had the key to the cottage I
stay at when my sisters & I go up to Eagle River every year, I was able
to take a nice hot shower before beginning the long, rainy, cold drive
home.  Yes, I was very happy that the rain started after we got off the
water.

All in all a very nice first canoe camping trip for me.