BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
October 31 2024
Entry Point 33 - Little Gabbro Lake
Little Gabbro Lake entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Kawishiwi Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 23 miles. Access is a 200-rod portage from the parking lot to Little Gabbro Lake.
Number of Permits per Day: 1.5
Elevation: 1235 feet
Latitude: 47.8481
Longitude: -91.6357
Little Gabbro Lake - 33
Number of Permits per Day: 1.5
Elevation: 1235 feet
Latitude: 47.8481
Longitude: -91.6357
Little Gabbro Lake - 33
Lake One to Insula Again
by Doug
Trip Report
Entry Date:
August 18, 2007
Entry Point:
Lake One
Number of Days:
6
Group Size:
3
Trip Introduction:
My sons, Adam and Brian had such a great time at Insula last year, we decided to take the same route this year. A fire ban was issued two days before our entry date. We were renting a Minnesota II Kevlar canoe and three packs from Kawishiwi Lodge and Outfitters. We loaded everything loose into the van and tied the kayak to the top. I have a 17’ sit-on-top Ocean Kayak. It’s great to paddle and fish from, but it weighs 64 pounds and is awkward to portage. It stays home next time.
Day 1 of 6
Saturday, August 18, 2007 Since we had everything packed the night before, we got an early start, 6 AM. It was an 8 hour drive to Ely. We stood in front of the live webcam on Sheridan Street for my wife, Pam and daughter, Amanda to see us before heading out for a week in the wilderness. After picking up our permit at the Wolf Center, we headed out to Kawishiwi Lodge to spend the night in their bunkhouse. It was a great place to stay. We spent the evening getting the gear in the packs. 
Day 2 of 6
Sunday, August 19, 2007 We were up early and ready to head out by 6:30. The day started out beautiful, but the wind increased as the day went on. We battled a headwind all the way to Insula. There were at total of six portages. We double portaged at each one. We each took a pack and one loose item the first trip over. Adam carried the canoe and Brian and I took the kayak on the second trip. We met a few people on the portages, but it was pretty quiet on the way in. We paddled through lakes One, Two, Three, Four, Hudson and finally to Insula. As we paddled past the campsite we stayed at last year on Insula, Adam suggested we stay there again. I wanted to take a look at the Williamson Island site, so we paddled on. I should have listened to Adam. When we got to Williamson Island, it was occupied. We set up camp on the island site just west of Williamson Island. The wind was very strong from the east, blowing directly into camp. We decided to move back to the site we stayed at last year. It was a good decision. It was out of the wind and the view was beautiful. It was the site with the big square rock, just southeast of The Rock. 
Day 3 of 6
Monday, August 20, 2007 We packed up and moved to last year’s site. Then we did a little fishing for lunch. Adam caught a nice Northern pike. We fired it up for lunch with our steaks that we packed in frozen. We had to pan fry the steaks, since we couldn’t have a fire. It started to rain toward evening, so we played cards under the tarp. 
Day 4 of 6
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 After a breakfast of oatmeal and hot chocolate, we headed out to The Rock to fish. Brian caught a nice 30” Northern pike in the same spot as he caught one last year. We caught several Northerns that we released. Also one nice bass that we had for dinner. It rained off and on all day. And it was very windy. 
Day 5 of 6
Wednesday, August 22, 2007 Another cloudy day with occasional showers. We fished between showers. The sun finally came out for the first time all week at 6:00. Adam and Brian watched the sunset from the hammocks. I am glad I made the hammocks for the trip. It was very relaxing to lay in them and watch the loons and eagles. We saw several bald eagles, loons, ducks and seagulls. No animals on this trip. The boys went swimming for a while today. The water was very cold. 
Day 6 of 6
Thursday, August 23, 2007 We decided we would move our camp to Lake One this morning, so we would be close to the car and be able to get an early start for home on Friday. It was a sunny, and very calm day. It was a perfect day for paddling and portaging. When we got to Lake One, the clouds started rolling in. We decide to paddle all the way back to Kawishiwi Lodge and not set up camp again. It started to rain on our way back to Ely. We had lunch at Pizza Hut in Ely and headed for home. We were home by 11:30 PM. We had a great trip, but we are exhausted. Also glad to be home! 
