Balmy Lake
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Balmy Lake is one of two small, shallow lakes located just north of Sagus Lake. Both of these lakes drain into Sagus Lake through small creeks filtering through peat bogs.
In 1875, a large fire complex called the Alice Lake/Ogishkemuncie Lake/Tuscarora Lake/Cherokee Lake Complex burned the area around all those major lakes. It probably started near Lake Insula or the Hog Lake area.
There was another large fire in this area around 1863-1864. This fire is known as the North Kawishiwi River/Alice Lake/Cypress Lake/Saganaga Lake Complex. Like the fire that burned this area in 1875, it began south of the current BWCAW's southern boundary.
Approach to Balmy Lake
Start from the north end of Sagus Lake about a quarter of a mile northwest of the portage between Roe Lake and Sagus Lake. There may be a small creek flowing into Sagus Lake here, but if not, head to GPS point: 48.022611, -91.155467.
Bushwhack to Balmy Lake
From Sagus Lake, bushwhack just over 10 rods to the northwest until you reach a small pond. Continue northwest across the pond, then staying on a northwest heading, bushwhack 10 rods until you reach the southeast corner of a marsh with open water. Paddle about 50 rods north across the peat bog marsh (high water levels will help here) until you reach the forest line that borders the north edge of the bog. Walk along the edge of the forest toward the east for perhaps 20 rods until you reach the northeast corner of the peat bog. From here, bushwhack 10 rods to the north/northwest until you reach the shore of Balmy Lake.
Exploring Balmy Lake
This is a late stage lake slowly being devoured by peat bog. Forest hugs its northeast shoreline, but the rest of the shore is quite spongy. The lake is probably pretty shallow. There does not appear to be any obvious landmarks from satellite images.
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