The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-09-12
Superior National Forest
Radio Address over WEBC
by RAY u. HARMON, Supervisor


Sioux Lookout, which may be seen from
this point several miles to the south.
Here the Forest Service maintains g
lookout, cabin, boathouse and one or
two men are stationed here through the
entire fire season and are on constant
watch for smokes appearing above the
horizon indicating that lightning or
someone's carelessneSs with campfires
has resulted in the start of conflag-
ration. The lookout itself, steel tower
eighty feet in height erected on top of
high solid rock ledge, gives one
beautiful view over the surrounding
territory and many lakes can be seen
from this point.
A canoe route takes off from the
south end of Loon Lake past the Sioux
River cabin, going up the Indian Sioux
River, which is the direct route of
travel to Lake Vermilion and Tower.
The long East Bay of Loon Lake forms
the starting point of another canoe
route into a myriad of lakes in the in
terror on the American side, many sup
connecting with many other lakes.
forming numerous canoe routes fur
ther to the east. The North Bay of
Loon Lake is the route we follow, taking
us to the railroad portage from Loon
Lake to the La Croix Here again we
may portage our canoes and outfits
across or may pay a small fee to the
resident owner to transport our equip
ment across on the railroad portage.
We have probably found that dark
ness overlook us before we reached this
point, and we have established camp at
some point on Loon Lake. If we have
unusually good paddlers, or were per-
hapS using an cupboard motor, we have
easily reached the western extremity
of Lac La Croix and have found very
favorable and attractive camp site to
spend the evening.
Lac La Croix is one of the largest
lakes within the Superior National
Forest boundaries, having total length
OF approximately thirty-six miles. The
western half of this lake is largely
spring fed, and the water therefore is
clear aid cold. The eastern portion of
the lake is fed by many rivers and
streams coming into it, all of which are
dark water, resulting in the eastern por-
| ton OF the lake being somewhat dis
colored.
approximately a quarter of a mile
north OF the portage, on the east side of
the lake, one approaches sheer rock
bluff, and If We paddle close to this
cliff We will notice red stains on the
rock cliff, which are the first Indian
paintings that we encounter. These
particular paintings are not very dis
tinct, and yet upon close examination
one can see the outline of moose and
other wild animals painted in red upon
+, the rock.
We could easily spend several days
padding around Lac La Croix, pene-
trating many of the long arms that go
into the interior, as well as weaving
our way among many of the virgin
timbered islands. With the clear water
in the western half, the cloudy water in
the eastern half, the shallow bays and
unusually deep holes, it is only natural
that within this lake can be found all
species of fish native to northeastern
Minnesota. Although Lac La Croix
along the international boundary is
thirty-six miles long, it is possible for
us to eliminate five or six miles of
padding by taking some of the short
cuts on the south side of many of the
islands The most direct route across
La Croix would result in our padding
a total of thirty-two miles.
Early missionaries erected a stone
cross on one of the sheer rock bluffs
along the south shore of the west CEN
trail portion of the lake. The lake as
far back as we can recall has been
called Lac La Croix, or the Lake of the
Cross. Destroyed many years ago, 1t Is
hoped that this cross can again be con-
structed and maintained as a per-
manent monument and historical link
in the development of the area.
The western portion of La Croix has
been logged over on the south side and
to considerable extent on the north
side. Severe fires have also seriously
impaired the appearance of the shore
line, and it is not until one has travelled
north and eastward six or seven miles
that one begins to encounter the virgin
white and Norway pine both on the
American and on the Canadian side.
Nearly ten miles past the portage, we
find nestled in sheltered bay trading
post maintained on the Canadian side
Meals and accommodations can be Sc
cured at this trading post.
Either at the resort or on one of the
beautiful islands nearby, we will camp
for the night Being unable to COM
plete our entire trip in the fifteen
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