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      Trip Report - Little Indian Sioux- North Loop
 
  Last Visit: 03/28/2024 09:00AM

Entry Point 14 - Little Indian Sioux River North

Little Indian Sioux River (north) entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by La Croix Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 32 miles. Access is a 40-rod portage heading North from the Echo Trail.

Number of Permits per Day: 6
Elevation: 1364 feet
Latitude: 48.1466
Longitude: -92.2103
Author Message Text
onepaddleshort
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08/12/2013 12:14PM
 
New Trip Report posted by onepaddleshort

Trip Name: Little Indian Sioux- North Loop.

Entry Point: 14

Click Here to View Trip Report
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Rambler_Dog
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08/12/2013 12:27PM
 
Wow! Very Nice.Thanks.
trvtrekker
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08/12/2013 12:34PM
 
Nice pics!
Dennisal
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08/12/2013 03:04PM
 
I enjoyed your report. Photos were great.
Thanks for sharing

Never lost. All portages and roads go somewhere or they would not be there.
Exo
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08/12/2013 03:09PM
 
Great trip report with a lot of photos. Really enjoyed.


I had a pelican top load with me on my last BW solo. It was a pain to carry, but I was able to bring all the necessary gear and some extra lenses and not have to worry about water damage. Heavy, but worth it.


Knife Lake would be a great spot to base camp with day tripping and fishing in mind. Some great areas and really nice lakes to see, including that ribbon rock.
boonie
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08/12/2013 07:45PM
 
Thanks for sharing your experience and your pictures. I enjoyed your report of last year's trip, but enjoyed this one even more since EP #14 was the entry for my second BW trip (and first BW solo). I traveled much of the same route and like your trip, mine was full of challenges and learning experiences, as well as some of my most memorable BW moments.


I went in the last half of Sept and experienced the same "wind tunnel" effect as you. I had thought the small, narrow lakes would be protected from the wind.


I also had a "too big" tent (it's what I had) for a solo and too much other stuff. It's funny that you called it backpacking with a canoe because that's what I've been telling people who think they want to go with me: "We'll be backpacking with a canoe, not car camping with a boat." That cures them of the idea :).


It sounds like you had a pretty good trip despite everything. I really liked that area between Little Loon and Oyster. I didn't see anybody for 4 days then. I was windbound on Finger and stayed on one of those north campsites - I just remember it was high up and I saw the northern lights for the first time and then wolves howling off to the east towards Gebe. Then on Gebe, a pack ran right through my camp at 3 AM on the chase.


I'm still learning and trying new things. I hope you have fun planning and taking your next trip. Thanks again for sharing your story and pictures - it brought back some great memories for me.
TomT
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08/12/2013 08:34PM
 
Nice report and pics. Love the macro shots too. Too bad you didn't find the chairs on Gebe. I say try some fishing. I think it would be much fun for you two and a fish dinner is pretty cool too. Thanks for posting and hope there's more trips and maybe even a try at Quetico.




"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
onepaddleshort
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08/13/2013 07:15AM
 
quote Exo: "Great trip report with a lot of photos. Really enjoyed.



I had a pelican top load with me on my last BW solo. It was a pain to carry, but I was able to bring all the necessary gear and some extra lenses and not have to worry about water damage. Heavy, but worth it.



Knife Lake would be a great spot to base camp with day tripping and fishing in mind. Some great areas and really nice lakes to see, including that ribbon rock. "



Hey Exo,


Yes the Pelican case is nice. It fit right behind the stern seat on a MNII and was quick to get to and open (rather than a dry bag like I'd used before). And it floats even with all the gear inside. It will come on most trips. Just not any with 24 portages again.


The Knife Lake area looks like a go for next year. I'll have to get some maps to look over for the winter ahead.
onepaddleshort
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08/13/2013 07:24AM
 
quote boonie: "
It sounds like you had a pretty good trip despite everything. I really liked that area between Little Loon and Oyster. I didn't see anybody for 4 days then. I was windbound on Finger and stayed on one of those north campsites - I just remember it was high up and I saw the northern lights for the first time and then wolves howling off to the east towards Gebe. Then on Gebe, a pack ran right through my camp at 3 AM on the chase.



I'm still learning and trying new things. I hope you have fun planning and taking your next trip. Thanks again for sharing your story and pictures - it brought back some great memories for me."



Boonie,


Yes it was a great trip and I'm glad the photos brought back some great memories for you. We checked out the site you stayed at- up high with a great view of the entire lake. No wolves for us this trip, but- and you likely know this from reading last year's trip report- we were treated to wolves calling in the early morning on our second morning in the BW on Stuart last year. That was close enough for me though, not sure I'd enjoy them running through camp at 3AM.


Thanks for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed the report.
onepaddleshort
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08/13/2013 07:31AM
 
quote TomT: "Nice report and pics. Love the macro shots too. Too bad you didn't find the chairs on Gebe. I say try some fishing. I think it would be much fun for you two and a fish dinner is pretty cool too. Thanks for posting and hope there's more trips and maybe even a try at Quetico.



"



Tom!


I read your trip report of this loop many times (but not enough I guess). As we'd paddle along I'd tell Renee "That's the site Tom stayed at". Or "I know Tom stayed at this site on Gebe and he had pictures of the chairs- they HAVE to be here at this site", and I'd go wandering for another hour off through the wilds while Renee quietly read her Kindle and shook her head. :)
See what I mean by not reading close enough?


Renee did a lot of fishing as a kid. Me, we farmed, didn't have time for fishing so I guess I just never got into it. I have fished on some of our White Otter trips but my only strategy is to troll a Rapala behind the canoe and just randomly paddle the lake. Sometimes it works. It wouldn't take much to triple my fishing strategies for next year's trip.
WhereRwe
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08/13/2013 03:23PM
 
Awesome report! I love the pictures too. We did the same trip 4 years ago. One of my favorite areas of the BWCA. Looking forward to more of your reports in the future!
onepaddleshort
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08/13/2013 05:30PM
 
quote WhereRwe: "Awesome report! I love the pictures too. We did the same trip 4 years ago. One of my favorite areas of the BWCA. Looking forward to more of your reports in the future!"


Thanks. There will be another one next year, might be the Knife Lake area but the options are still open.
TomT
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08/13/2013 09:12PM
 
quote onepaddleshort: "quote TomT: "Nice report and pics. Love the macro shots too. Too bad you didn't find the chairs on Gebe. I say try some fishing. I think it would be much fun for you two and a fish dinner is pretty cool too. Thanks for posting and hope there's more trips and maybe even a try at Quetico.
"

Tom!
I read your trip report of this loop many times (but not enough I guess). As we'd paddle along I'd tell Renee "That's the site Tom stayed at". Or "I know Tom stayed at this site on Gebe and he had pictures of the chairs- they HAVE to be here at this site", and I'd go wandering for another hour off through the wilds while Renee quietly read her Kindle and shook her head. :)
See what I mean by not reading close enough?
"



That's pretty funny. It's cool that you read my report though. I also wanted to ask about your kids - how old and have they ever been with on a trip?




"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
DeanL
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08/13/2013 09:12PM
 
Awesome report! I wish I could take pictures half as nice as yours. I've been to the South Arm of Knife the last 2 years and can share what I've learned if you want, just let me know.

"Leave it as it is.....The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it." Theodore Roosevelt
onepaddleshort
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08/14/2013 09:16AM
 
quote TomT: "
That's pretty funny. It's cool that you read my report though. I also wanted to ask about your kids - how old and have they ever been with on a trip?



"



The kids are both in college and spend their summers as counselors for one of the best scout camps in the country. They only get off from noon Saturday to 11AM Sunday so there is no time to do any trips. They both have gone on a couple of week-long Venture Crew canoe trips into the White Otter area with us. The lakes are huge and with just the two of us I prefer the smaller lakes of the Boundary Waters and I really like seeing a few other people around. Having only one boat creates potential situations that being in a group eliminates. Smaller lakes and a few folks around helps to minimize those.
onepaddleshort
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08/14/2013 09:31AM
 
quote DeanL: "Awesome report! I wish I could take pictures half as nice as yours. I've been to the South Arm of Knife the last 2 years and can share what I've learned if you want, just let me know."


Thanks, the photos are pretty much right out of the camera. I only adjust the exposure a little- no HDR or post effects added to these. I would love any information on Knife. But give me a bit to settle on a trip for next year. If we end up going someplace else I wouldn't want you spending the time helping me out with information for a place we don't end up going to.


alpine525
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08/14/2013 01:19PM
 
Great trip report with beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing.

Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace. Dalai Lama
unshavenman
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08/14/2013 10:53PM
 
Great trip report. I also find the BWCA to be a constant learning experience!

Endeavor to persevere.
onepaddleshort
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08/15/2013 08:03AM
 
quote unshavenman: "Great trip report. I also find the BWCA to be a constant learning experience!"


Thanks alpine525 and unshavenman. And yes, constant learning experience is a great description. Next year I want a chair so I can sit under my tarp in the rain. Finding a site to hang a tarp over the sitting logs (if the site has them) is tricky. And then they're soaking wet anyway if you're searching for a site in the pouring rain like we were. Never thought I'd want a chair. But now I do.
bapabear
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08/15/2013 09:15PM
 
Very very nice report! I went through EP 14 this year but not nearly as far as you accomplished. That first portage found us taking a lot of pics of the rapids. I also climbed into that spot you show to get a shot of the falls. Devil's Cascade is gorgeous and I'm guessing some of your shots came from that hiking trail campsite at the highest point of the portage?


Your photos are excellent! The one at Slim Lake that is fogged over is one of the neatest effects for a pic. You should have said you planned it that way!


I'm going to share this report with my tripping friends and see if we can get to Ruby Lake sometime. That sandy portage landing is unbelievable and, I think, worth the effort to see.


I've used a Eureka T2 for a while now and just can't find enough space to be comfortable. While you had an interesting problem with your tent's rainfly I envy the space the two of you had. I have an Apex3 that I just might try the next trip. I have not been too proud when storms were expected to rig the tarp over my tent like you did - nice comfy looking job!


We, too, did a day trip our last day to Hegman. Am glad we did!!


Thank you for sharing!

My superhero name is TYPOMAN. Writer of wrongs.
Thwarted
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08/15/2013 10:06PM
 
Thanks for the report. That climb to Steep is too Steep. I love that area though and consider the cost of entry not too steep. Isn't it fun to have something like this to share as a couple? Hope you're still tripping in 20 years. Think of all the great memories those photos will evoke.
onepaddleshort
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08/16/2013 07:05AM
 
quote bapabear: "Very very nice report! I went through EP 14 this year but not nearly as far as you accomplished. That first portage found us taking a lot of pics of the rapids. I also climbed into that spot you show to get a shot of the falls. Devil's Cascade is gorgeous and I'm guessing some of your shots came from that hiking trail campsite at the highest point of the portage?



Your photos are excellent! The one at Slim Lake that is fogged over is one of the neatest effects for a pic. You should have said you planned it that way!



I'm going to share this report with my tripping friends and see if we can get to Ruby Lake sometime. That sandy portage landing is unbelievable and, I think, worth the effort to see.



I've used a Eureka T2 for a while now and just can't find enough space to be comfortable. While you had an interesting problem with your tent's rainfly I envy the space the two of you had. I have an Apex3 that I just might try the next trip. I have not been too proud when storms were expected to rig the tarp over my tent like you did - nice comfy looking job!



We, too, did a day trip our last day to Hegman. Am glad we did!!



Thank you for sharing!"



Hey bapabear,


Glad you enjoyed the report. Yes, the photos of Devil's Cascade are from the hiking trail campsite. I learned yesterday that was the site of a cabin for the Sioux River fire tower watchman in the 1920's. I would have liked to hike down for some different views, but our canoe was sitting off to the side of the portage.


Ruby lake is worth the portage. And it's a very short paddle and portage to get into Hustler from there. I thought Hustler was one of the most scenic lakes on our entire loop.


One thing with the Timberline- you will never look up to see a puddle of water on the rain fly above your head. I still am surprised. I see Piragis rents that tent. I didn't find any bad reviews online before I purchased it. Maybe there is something I'm missing about setting it up, but the design of the poles creating a flat area just seems like a really poor idea. However, if you like the look of the space the tent is for sale! :)
onepaddleshort
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08/16/2013 07:25AM
 
quote Thwarted: "Thanks for the report. That climb to Steep is too Steep. I love that area though and consider the cost of entry not too steep. Isn't it fun to have something like this to share as a couple? Hope you're still tripping in 20 years. Think of all the great memories those photos will evoke."


Thwarted,


Glad you enjoyed the report. I hope I'm still tripping in 20 years too, I need at least another 9 trips or so to make having my own canoe pay off. Ah, though there was something pretty wonderful about even one trip with your own canoe. You can't measure the important stuff with dollars...
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