Closest Access Point: Kiosk (Access Point #29)
Distance To Access Point: 1 – 2 KM (30 minutes, tops)
Difficulty of Travel From Access Point: Easy. The access point is on this lake. You could probably walk here if you don’t mind some bushwhacking.
Maintenance Level: Regular
Date of Visit: May, 2019
I really liked this site. We stopped here for a break at the end of our trip, and it was a nice last gasp of campsite appreciation before getting back to reality. It’s a compact site, but would probably be a decent spot to visit with kids or people new to the backcountry (although the swimming access could be better).
Terrain: The majority of the site is a small point sticking out from the eastern shore of Wolfe Bay. It’s a pretty open site. There isn’t a lot of tree cover to protect you from the elements and it might be a tough spot to be early or late in the season in the middle of a wind/rain storm. Ground cover is dirt and pine needles with some grassy bits near the tip of the point. There’s a slight grade getting up from the shoreline to the rest of the site. Nothing overly challenging, but enough that you want to watch your step at the same time. There are also quite a few rocks sticking up out of the ground. Do with that what you will.
Canoe Landing: We couldn’t find a particularly obvious place to pull up the canoe. We settled on pulling up to some rocks on the leeward side of the point as the wind was quite strong coming out of the north. There are quite a few underwater rocks to keep an eye out for as you pull in, but once you’re settled you can pull the boat sideways to shore to unload.
Fire Pit: Sits smack dab in the middle of the site and is a great spot to sit by the fire and watch the water. It’s a fairly well constructed pit, with high enough walls that you should be able get a fire going even in a strong wind (and since this site is a point you’re exposed to strong winds from pretty much every direction).
Swimmability: There’s tons of water all around you, so in that sense it’s swimmable. However, there isn’t really a natural slipping in spot (I mean, you can walk in anywhere, but there isn’t a spot that sticks out). The underwater terrain is rocky, so be careful not to stub any toes. You’re going to get fantastic afternoon sun for drying out though, so it’s not all bad.
Tent Sites: Room for a couple of tents. There’s a spot back behind the tree line that’s nicely sheltered. Otherwise, you’re looking at a fairly exposed, and kind of slopey, area closer to the fire pit. If you really want to get back to nature there’s a small spot right at the tip of the point that might work.
Thunderbox: Looked pretty new when we were there. My guess is the box here gets a lot of use, so maybe try and visit earlier in the summer rather than later.
Accessories: There are a couple of good sized log benches by the firepit. There is also the remnant of a … foundation? chimney? pyramid? I don’t know what it is, but it’s definitely man made and cool to look at.
Views: One of the highlights of the site. Great views for about 180 degrees to the north, west and south. There isn’t much shoreline tree cover, beyond three creepily perfectly spaced red pines, so there isn’t much to get in the way of appreciating the sight in front of you.
Notes: Like I said, I liked this site. I’d go back for sure if I was looking for something close to an access point.
Related Trip Report: To Manitou Lake and Back Again
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