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      Trip Report - Where it all began--my first trip into the BWCA
 
  Last Visit: 04/19/2024 06:24PM

Entry Point 38 - Sawbill Lake

Sawbill Lake entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Tofte Ranger Station near the city of Tofte, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 25 miles. Access is a boat landing at Sawbill Lake. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 11
Elevation: 1802 feet
Latitude: 47.8699
Longitude: -90.8858
Author Message Text
BearBrown
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12/30/2010 04:10AM
 
New Trip Report posted by BearBrown

Trip Name: Where it all began--my first trip into the BWCA.

Entry Point: 38

DUE TO REQUEST: Photos Are Now Added. Enjoy!

Click Here to View Trip Report

Richard "Bear" Brown
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Unas10
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12/30/2010 06:20AM
 
Thanks for the memories. My first trip was to Cherokee also, so I can understand the impression it made on you.
Boppa
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12/30/2010 08:12AM
 
Rich,
I enjoyed that newbie memory, you articulate it well. It has amazed me how some of us get hooked while others can do with out. Particularly since the vast majority of us had less than good introductions into canoe tripping. For some of us, we are bound to return and partake in the experience it offers.


It sounds that you pick up and learn your lessons well, that along with finding the gear we like, will always challenge our wallets. LOL.


I related to your comment that you find the morning the best part of the day, I do as well, it can be magical.
We hope to get to Cherokee Lake next season, your report makes it sound like just the ticket.


Do you still have the pictures that were taken?


Thanks,
Boppa


"Yesterday is the past, Tomorrow is the future, Today is a GIFT, that is why it is called the present".
Bannock
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12/30/2010 01:51PM
 
Nice report. Thanks.


I have a few "favorite" entry points with Sawbill being one. Cherokee may be my favorite lake. A beautiful lake with very nice campsites.

Bannock
lars54
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12/30/2010 04:10PM
 
thanks for a nice well written report
boonie
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12/30/2010 09:30PM
 
Rich, thanks for a very nice trip report that reminded me of the joys and the "challenges" of my first trip. My pack was way too heavy and my canoeing knowledge was way too light. But I loved it, I learned, and was determined to do it again.


I wish you had some of those pictures to post. Any chance of that? I still haven't been to the Cherokee Lake area, but everyone says it's beautiful.
Rob Johnson
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12/30/2010 10:18PM
 
Nice report...was really anticipating the Hollywood ending where you and Melissa discover a common interest in Voyaging and you end up married with kids.


Our heavy canoe two trips ago was nicknamed the beast. I can't imagine trying to portage a 90 pounder without a yoke.

I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that. Then I realized I am somebody. Lily Tomlin
BearBrown
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12/31/2010 01:04AM
 
quote Rob Johnson: "Nice report...was really anticipating the Hollywood ending where you and Melissa discover a common interest in Voyaging and you end up married with kids.



Our heavy canoe two trips ago was nicknamed the beast. I can't imagine trying to portage a 90 pounder without a yoke."



Haha. That would be an amazing way to meet a spouse, but it just didn't happen that way. Hopefully, i'll meet the one and we will enjoy many voyages together.


Portaging those canoes was something else. On all of my following trips we have taken kevlar canoes. And it has been worth every penny.


As for photographs, all of my shots were taken with film. However, I may post a few scanned prints for everyone to see in the next couple days. So come have another look. I promise my next report will include many photographs and may become photo essay style. We'll see, I'm still writing the first few paragraphs for it.

Richard "Bear" Brown
Big Tent
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12/31/2010 01:30PM
 
Nice report, we have been base camping on the north end Sawbill for 30 years and really like the area. The "first trip" reports are fun to read and they bring back mostly good memories of my first time in the BWCA. Like Boppa, I find it interesting to see how it can captivate one person and another will never want to return.


We day tripped to Cherokee and back one day with an alumacraft 17' canoe. It was a very hard day, but I was a bit older than you. I can't imagine taking all that gear.


Is TJ still your canoeing partner?


Jay


BearBrown
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01/02/2011 01:44AM
 

Is TJ still your canoeing partner?



He sure is. We have been on two trips together since, one starting at Homer Lake and the other at John lake. It would be nice if we could trip together more often, but he has been in the military pretty much since this trip.

Richard "Bear" Brown
wetcanoedog
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01/02/2011 09:55AM
 
fun report!!..these all make the winter a bit easier to handle.

it's just a level trail thru the woods.
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