Alpine Lake

From BWCAWiki

Alpine Lake is a medium-sized (839 acres) lake due west of Seagull Lake in the eastern BWCAW. It has a maximum depth of 65 feet. Situated at the intersection of two canoe routes, Alpine is a popular destination. There are about 20 campsites on the lake.

Routes and destinations

• From Alpine, a 48-rod portage leads north to Red Rock Lake and from there a 10-rod portage into Saganaga Lake.
• To the south, a 45-rod portage around a rocky cascade provides access to Jasper Lake and on to Ogishkemuncie Lake.
• To reach Seagull Lake, which is the closest entry point, three options exist. A 65-rod portage leads south to Rog Lake, followed by a 20-rod portage into Seagull. A longer 105-rod portage connects Alpine and Seagull directly to the southeast, while a 20-rod portage at the far southeastern end of Alpine skirts around a rapid between the two lakes. With some canoeing skill and moderate water levels, this rapid may be run.

An easy canoe route, sometimes called the Alpine Loop, consists of a Saganaga-Red Rock-Alpine-Seagull circuit, beginning and ending at the end of the Gunflint Trail. This route can be paddled in either direction.

Natural history

In August 2005 the Alpine Lake Fire burned the far eastern shore of Alpine Lake, as well as the north shore of Seagull Lake. The Cavity Lake Fire burned the area severely in the summer of 2006. The lake contains walleyes, smallmouth bass, and northern pike. Earlier surveys have also turned up the occasional lake trout.