DISAPPOINTMENT LAKE CAMPSITES: Campsite 1 (#1480): Just east of the Snowbank Lake portage Campsite 2 (#1386): On island in the south half of the lake Campsite 3 (#2316): On point along south shore of the lake Campsite 4 (#1382): Located on small island in north end of the lake Campsite 5 (#1381): On north side of point in north end of lake on east shoreline Campsite 6 (#1383): Just east of Ahsub Lake portage (accessible to Old Pine Trail hikers) Campsite 7 (#1385): South side of large peninsula jutting out from middle of west side of lake
Campsite 8 (#1384): Back of west bay, just south of Vivid Lake
Campsite 9 (#1379): Near mid-lake along east shore just west of island
Campsite 10 (#1380): Along east shoreline near mid-lake at base of point
Campsite 11 (#2084): On west side of lake on the long narrow channel (accessible to Snowbank Lake Trail hikers)
Disappointment Lake is named for the "mountain" that lies to its northeast, or is it the other way around. In any event, not sure why it is such a "disappointment". This mountain itself is visible from much of the lake. Disappointment Mountain rises about 350 feet above the surface level of the lake.
There are three trails accessible from Disappointment Lake. A spur of the Old Pines Trail can be hiked along the south slopes of Disappointment Mountain. This trail provides an occasional view of the mountain, especially in spring and fall when the leaves are off the trees. The trail is named for the huge pine trees found here, some of the oldest in the BWCA. These trees escaped the logging era. The Old Pines Trail isn't heavily traveled. Therefore it can be difficult to follow and often has lots of blowdown (trail was recently cleared in this area, as of October, 2021). The Snowbank Lake Trail also hugs the southwest shore of Disappointment Lake. A section of the Kekekabic Trail runs along the south shore of the lake.
The fishing in Disappointment Lake can be good. There are northern pike (some big ones too) and decent walleye fishing. There are lots of smallmouth bass, but they tend to run small. The lake, with just under a 1,000 acres of littoral area, has a very long shoreline with plenty of structure.
You often hear the question: "Is it easier to get to Disappointment Lake via Parent Lake or just use the long portage directly from Snowbank Lake?" The longer portage is easier, but the Parent Lake double portage is a bit more scenic. The Parent Lake route is also safer, in the event that Snowbank Lake is kicking up big waves.
Disappointment Lake's campsites tend to fill up quick. Ahsub Lake, just a short portage north of Disappointment Lake, has two very good campsites too.
Logging, conducted by the Swallow and Hopkins Company, began in this area shortly after 1900. A forest fire in 1919 burned the slash left behind by the this logging. This fire was along the west side of Disappointment Lake (Heinselman, 1999).
Disappointment Lake drains into Parent Lake via the small creek that you will cross over along the Parent Lake to Disappointment Lake portage.
References:
Beymer, Robert, Boundary Waters Canoe Area – Volume 1 – Western Region (Berkeley: Wilderness Press, 2006), 173, 175, 196.
Heinselman, Miron, The Boundary Waters Wilderness Ecosystem (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1999), 71, 101, 103, 139.
Pauly, Daniel, Exploring the Boundary Waters (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2005), 169, 171, 177.
Rom, William N., M.D., Canoe Country Wilderness (Stillwater: Voyageur Press, 1987), 29.
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PADDLING FROM THE PARENT LAKE/SNOWBANK LAKE PORTAGE TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1480
Paddling to the southeast from the portage landing to the campsite, which is located very near the south end of Disappointment Lake.
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1480 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1386
Following the south shore of Disappointment Lake on a northeast heading. The campsite is located on the east side of an island. This is one of two island campsites on Disappointment Lake.
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1386 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 2316
Paddling to the southeast over to the point that sticks out from the south shoreline of the lake. You need to paddle around a small island to reach it.
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 2316 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1382
Staying relatively close to the east side of Disappointment Lake, paddle to the northeast, then north, then slightly northwest until reaching the island just offshore of the point that juts out from the east shore of the lake. This is in the north half of the lake. Sneak through the channel between the island and the east shoreline just before reaching the campsite. The entire length of this route is just over a mile.
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1382 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1381
A quick paddle from the island campsite to the campsite located just to its northeast, along the east shoreline of the lake.
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1381 TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1383
Hanging just off the east shoreline of Disappointment Lake, paddle mostly north until reaching the campsite that is located just east of the Ahsub Lake portage. The entire route is about 2/3rds of a mile.
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1383 TO THE AHSUB LAKE PORTAGE
After leaving the campsite, follow the shoreline to the west/northwest for about 700 feet until arriving at the Ahsub Lake portage.
PADDLING FROM THE AHSUB LAKE PORTAGE TO BWCA CAMPSITE 1385
It's nearly a two mile paddle from the Ahsub Lake portage to BWCA Campsite 1385. Mostly stay along the west side of the lake on a southerly heading. The campsite is located on the south side of the large mid-lake point, just east of a small island.
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 1385 TO THE PARENT LAKE/SNOWBANK LAKE PORTAGE
Pull away from the campsite and head west, following the shoreline. Eventually make a sharp turn to the south and paddle down the narrow channel along the west shore of the lake. This channel is in the south end of Disappointment Lake sandwiched between the shoreline on the west and a large island on the east. After clearing the channel, its a short distance before you reach the portage landing for both Snowbank Lake and Parent Lake.
PADDLING FROM THE PARENT LAKE PORTAGE TO THE AHSUB LAKE PORTAGE
Disappointment Lake from the Parent Lake portage landing to the Ahsub Lake portage. Head northeast through Disappointment Lake from here.
View from the Parent Lake portage, toward your right.
Disappointment Mountain from around the middle of Disappointment Lake. This summit of this "mountain" is about 350 feet above the surface of the lake.
This trip takes you all the way from the Parent Lake portage on the southern end of Disappointment Lake, to the Ahsub Lake portage on the north end of the lake. Heading is generally northeast through Disappointment Lake. As you pass through the middle of the lake, you paddle by a campsite or two (that are occupied) and also see a single loon that calls out as you pass by. Traveling into the north half of the lake, you can now begin to see Disappointment Mountain in the distance. The journey ends as you approach the Ahsub Lake portage. There is a large group at that portage, so have to wait until they clear out.
A look north from near the middle of Disappointment Lake.
A notable rock formation that you pass by in the north end of Disappointment Lake. This rock is located along the east shoreline.
The start of the portage to Ahsub Lake is "rubbleville".
From the portage landing to Ahsub Lake, this is your view to the left (east) looking down Disappointment Lake's shoreline. Portage to Ahsub Lake -or- Explore Another Route ***********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
Route Connections for Disappointment Lake
From Disappointment Lake, you can portage to Ahsub Lake, Parent Lake or Snowbank Lake. You can also bushwhack into Birdseye Lake (sometimes shown as Birdsey Lake on maps) and Vivid Lake. You can also access the Old Pines Trail from this lake.
