The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-09-19


ternational border Unable to complete
this four to five day trip in fifteen
minutes of talking We necessarily left
the party camped on sheltered virgin
hope you enjoyed this week on La Croix
hope you enjoyed this week on la Croix
and padded to the many points of in
terest Immediately adjacent. Islands
of all shapes, timber of all sizes and
species, surround the camp. The cub
bears and fox at the trading post should
have been of considerable interest as
they are free to roam at will. The
Indian village is very interesting and by
now you have had plenty of fishing
and should have caught some large ones
to tell the folks back home about. We
have also secuted the area enough so
that We can find our way among the
islands and again resume our journey
eastward.
AS we pass by many timbered islands
We realize that they should all be in
public ownerhip and the timber on the
shorelines preserved for all time. The
government has recently acquired
through purchase practically all of the
islands, mainland and timber so the
preservation of the area and its scenic
values on the American side are as
Sured.
AS we proceed eastward among the
islands we suddenly paddle into open
water where an unbroken expense of
five to six miles of water confrontS us.
We hold due east course along the
south shore until again reaching the
shelter of islands We turn southeast
along the south side of Colemans
island, nearly five miles long and COM
pletely covered with wonderful stand
of virgin white and Norway pine
Thence through the Pawn Net narrows
where the commercial fishermen used
to set their nets, and thence to a sheer
rock cliff on the Canadian side, upon
which the Indians many years ago
painted certain heiroglyphics, many OF
which are indentifiable today. The
story goes that many, many centuries
ago an Indian medicine man traversed
the international boundary and left
behind these painted rocks represent
ing some symbol in Indian life. The
remarkable thing about these paintings
is the fact that they have been here
for centuries and are still distinct. All
painted in red, it is apparent that the
Indians found somehow some pigment
that would last through the ages, al
though exposed to the severe climatic
and weather conditions and wave &C
ton of the region.
We continue in a Southeasterly di-
rection and see on the north or Can
adian side a long sloping rock ridge,
which used to be considered as testing
ground for the Indian braves. Prior to
their departing for war, it was neces-
sary for them to Stort at the bottom
of this cliff and race rapidly to the
top in a certain amount of time and
under certain conditions, which then
qualified them, if successful, to &C
company the war party.
Across from this sloping rock ledge,
and in the middle of the narrows, is
small rock island that history tells us
was used as a form of fertilization by
The early Indians in their warfares with
other tribes In the route we have
just travelled we have passed along the
south side of ShorteSS Island. Had we
taken the northern route through Can
ada on the north side of ShorteSS
Island, we would have passed the Can
adam Ranger Station, where the Can
adam government maintains two men
who watch over extensive areas of
Canadian property to the north.
In the southeastern corner of La
Croix, the Government maintains a
cabin where two men are generally
stationed during the summer months
to contact the various tourists, caution
them in the use of fire, and also to
act as advance guard for this depart
ment in being the advance fire fighting
crew to be sent as the initial attack
on any fire along the international
boundary that may be reported by the
lookout.
At this station is maintained boat
with a powerful cupboard motor, COM
plete fire fighting unit, and is also con-
nected with the Rangers office in Ely
and with the various lookout stations
by telephone. From the cabin one
can portage over the one mile OF
Well-graded tread to Iron Lake, but
the bulk of the travel goes out of the
eastern end of La Croix over Can
adian portage to Bottle Lake and
thence to Iron Lake. Had we followed
the canoe route along the north side
of ShortoSs Island, we would have come
I'D over Rebecca Falls and directly into
Iron Lake. Rebecca Falls are unique
in that the water has gouged out for
itself a perfectly paired Twin fall,
through a very narrow sloping channel
in solid rock ledge on the Canadian
boundary. This is very picturesque
point and one which anyone travelling
through the territory should visit Iron
Lake, nestled amongst the hills, is
spotted with many islands and supports
virgin timber on both the American
and Canadian shores
From the east end of Iron Lake we
portage into Crooked Lake. The north
west corner of this lake has a pictur-
eSque spot known as Curtain Falls.
where the outlet of the lake plus the
e n I'll Canadian or International
boundary waters plunge in wild cas-
sade over sheer rock cliffs. This forms |
scenic pot that will long remain in
the minds and memories of those who
see it. This makes an ideal camping
site, and our third night will be spent
at this point.
Continuing our journey eastward, we