Midas Lake
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This lake probably gets its name from the old fairy tale about King Midas. Midas wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. Dionysus, the Greek god granted Midas the gift that his touch would now turn everything into the precious metal he so greedily desired. In the story of King Midas, Midas' desire is often referred to as a gift (Gift Lake??). Also, a cup is prominent in the fairy tale because Midas soon learns he will die of thirst and starvation since the liquid contents of his cup (not just the cup itself) also turned to gold when his lips touched it. Could the "cup" be the reason Cup Lake is named what it is? Trust Lake and Faith Lake could also have their names somehow derived from the story, since it is a tale of morality.
The forest around this lake was impacted by the July, 2006 Cavity Lake Fire. This fire burned over 30,000 acres. Fire began on July 13.
A huge fire in 1863 or 1864 known as the Kawishiwi River/Alice Lake/Cypress Lake/Saganaga Lake complex burned the forests in this area.
Just after the turn of the 19th century, in 1801, another fire burned the area stretching from Gabimichigami Lake up through the Saganaga Lake area.
In 1727, area was burned by a fire that covered the region from Amoeber Lake to Sea Gull Lake.
1692 saw another large fire affect this area in what is now the BWCA.
Approach to Midas Lake
The shortest approach is from the south shore of Gift Lake, beginning where Midas Lake and Gift Lake are nearest each other.
Bushwhack to Midas Lake
Midas Lake is 600 feet or just under 40 rods due south of Gift Lake through one of the few areas where the forest has not been torched. A look at the topographic map shows this involves about a 40 foot elevation gain coming from Gift Lake staying to the west of a small hillock between the two lakes.
Exploring Midas Lake
You probably won't find gold at Midas Lake, but you will find deep water (it is 50 feet deep). There are northern pike in the lake. The shoreline is rocky so maybe copper or iron deposits will be visible as stripes in the cliffs. Except the very northern tip, the entire forest surrounding Midas Lake has been burned to the ground.
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