FENSKE Traditional Cache
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(regular)
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A short drive on the Echo Trail from Ely, MN. USFS permit. Clear plastic peanut butter jar.I WILL DELETE ANY SPOILERS (LOGS/PICTURES) THAT INDICATE WHERE THE CACHE IS LOCATED or of the CONTAINER. DO NOT LEAVE FOOD OR LIGHTERS IN THE CONTAINER. BYOP
FENSKE LAKE is a typical multi-use lake in the Ely area. Private landholders, two resorts, and the USFS with campground own the shoreline. There is good fishing from a fishing pier and from boats. If you want to experience a BWCAW quality canoe trip with out a permit, there is a 20 mile circular route through Fenske and several small connecting lakes which can give you that experience- the route can also be broken into several shorter segments. The lake was named for A.J. Fenske, who in 1887 built the first frame building (a hardware store) in Ely located at the corner of Sheridan St. and 2nd Ave. West where Kerntz Furniture now stands. Facing the lake to the left up the hill, was a CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) camp The CCC was part of the public works program under FDR to alleviate the joblessness of young men ages 18-25 during the Great Depression between 1933-1942. See my cache GCGV2E to read more about a CCC camp. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=80f7e348-df08-4ddd-adca-f1b1bf2dcc99 When the camp was abandoned in the 1940’s, it was purchased by the Northern Lakes Girl Scout Council and used as a GS camp into the 1960’s. I had the privilege to attend this camp – it was a primitive camp and it is where I learned most of my outdoor skills, which I have used all my life. Where the boat launch is now, was our swimming beach. There was a lifeguard on the island and a buoyed rope across the shallows. One had to pass a swimming test to be allowed to swim to the raft in the deeper water and to the island. If you proceed up the hill to the left, you will see a free standing rock fireplace. It is what remains of the CCC camp, and the GS Mess Hall. I actually know a man who is the son of the man who built this fireplace. The area of the former CCC camp and the GS camp is now part of the USFS campground. Thank you for sharing my memories of this special place in my life.
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