Mole Lake – Site 1

This is by far the best site on Mole Lake (there are only two). Located at the start of the portage down to Raja Lake, this is a reasonable option that probably won’t see too much through traffic despite being on a portage. The route down to Raja and beyond is a low maintenance route with longer portages. It’s also an out and back, so anyone going down there is going to have to do those portages twice. I would guess that all that adds up to a less trafficked route and, as a result, a less interrupted stay on this site.

The site itself is decent. The site proper faces west on Mole, but it spreads out and wraps around a small point with exposure to McCarthy Creek to the north as well. There’s a nice, open fire pit area with a good if semi-obstructed view of Mole to the west. Two of the site’s best tent spots are in this area, close to the fire pit but not so close you’d be worried about errant sparks singing your fly. The third spot is down a short path and looks out onto the start of McCarthy Creek. This spot is rockier and not as big, but I think would work for a solo tent (and definitely works for a hammock). 

The site itself is flat, but it backs immediately onto a bit of a hill. The thunderbox is up that hill, as is the portage path. One thing that stood out to me is that the thunderbox isn’t all that far off the portage. It’s not like you’re sitting directly on the trail, but you’re not that far away, either. Otherwise, it’s a decent box set up, if a bit battered looking.

The canoe landing doubles as the portage takeout and is good. You can parallel park against the shoreline or just drag the boat up onshore depending on your preference.