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BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog

March 19 2024

Entry Point 16 - Moose/Portage River (North of Echo Trail)

Moose/Portage 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 27 miles. Access is a 160-rod portage heading North from the Echo Trail.

Number of Permits per Day: 5
Elevation: 1348 feet
Latitude: 48.1230
Longitude: -92.0991
A favorite route offering many trip options and memorable things to see including;

World Class fishing for all four BWCA Species
Pictographs
Soaring granite hills and cliffs
Small lakes
Small rivers
Tumbling rapids and waterfalls
Wildlife, including Moose
Vistas from high points across the region if you're willing to climb. Rating Easy to Moderate. Day One. Get to EP16 off of the Echo Trail early. The initial portage is long, but well worn and smooth, sloping gently downgrade to the launch area. Load your canoe and head North. You'll be paddling with the slight current on this narrow winding river. The water is clear and make sure to tell the bowperson to watch for looming rocks!

My First Trip into the BWCA

by jenrobsdad
Trip Report

Entry Date: May 30, 1969
Entry Point: Moose/Portage River (north)
Number of Days: 3
Group Size: 4

Trip Introduction:
This trip was taken during memorial weekend 1969.

Part 1 of 3


My first trip into the wilderness was with my parents and my younger sister. I was about 10 years old, and never heard of the BWCA until we made the trip up. We left the Twin Cities on a Friday afternoon and arrived in Ely to get our equipment at Canoe Country Outfitters late afternoon. We were warned that we probably would not have enough time to make Nina Moose that day, and should not enter the BWCA that evening. Since we only had three days my dad decided to try anyway. We made the then 175 rod first portage while it was still daylight. After we finally got on the river darkness fell over the northwoods, and my sister and I took turns sitting way in front shining a flashlight so my parents could see where they were going. We heard rapids and missed the first portage. My dad waded us thru the first set of rapids on the Moose River. We paddled down and hit the second portage which we found in time. There was no moon to guide us, it was pitch black. The river levels were low and the current was almost still. We paddled for hours and finally came to a point where there was no flow at all. We thought we took a turn into a dead end. My dad decided to paddle back to the last portage where he took out our sleeping bags and slept at the landing.

 



Part 2 of 3


The next day we got up and once again set out. We met some others coming back and my dad asked them how far Nina-Moose Lake was and they said it was beyond the beaver dam just down the river. We came to the place we had been the night before and it was at the beaver dam and beyond it was Nina-Moose Lake. We found a small opening on the side of the dam and went thru. We found one of the only sites on the lake and set up camp.

 



Part 3 of 3


I don't remember much else about this trip, things changed a lot over the years in the BDub. My dad had the convenience of four canoe rests on the 175 rod entry portage. The entry lot was maybe 1/10 the size it is now. Back in the late 60's you could enter at Moose River and not see many people compared to now.

 


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