BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
April 28 2024
Entry Point 23 - Mudro Lake
Mudro 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 19 miles. Three accesses into Mudro Lake involve portages ranging from 20–185 rods.Easiest access is from private la nd with parking fee.
Number of Permits per Day: 5
Elevation: 1166 feet
Latitude: 48.0356
Longitude: -91.8301
On the Water- Monday July 20th-
On the water late considering how far we need to go today. Up the Horse river to the falls by 6pm. Started raining and NO campsites available. Mudrow-Alruss-Tin can Mike-Horse Lake-Horse River-Basswood. 13 miles by water. (not counting portages)
Tuesday July 21st-
Rain all night, all morning and all day. Went north by petroglyphs, table rock and the the Crocked Lake Narrows across Thursday bay to campsite. Basswood-Crooked Lake-Wednesday Bay-Thursday Bay. 11 miles in the rain.
Wednesday July 22nd-
Up early and calm winds to take advantage of, considering the big water we have to cross. Found beaver dam to lift over and did a portage from hell between Pandos lake and Chippewa Lake. VERY steep and slippery after rain. Many mud holes. Then the mile portage after Wagosh Lake to Gun Lake. Never saw another soul in a canoe or campsite the entire day! Thursday bay-Friday Bay-Pandos Lake-Chippewa Lake-Wagosh lake-Gun Lake. 11 miles by water.
Thursday July 23rd-
Finally had a dry night. got everything dry!!! A few portages today to Fourtown Lake campsite. Easy day by comparison. Gun Lake-Fairy Lake-Boot Lake-Fourtown Lake. 6 miles. Put the long miles at the first of the week for a buffer for contingencies!
Friday July 24th-
Last day. Stormed last night bad. A few portages today with one bad one between Fourtown Lake and Mudrow lake. To entry point by 1pm. Ready for a hot shower! 4 miles
Total-
45 miles by water
13 miles by portage (3 trips each)
58 miles total.
Number of Permits per Day: 5
Elevation: 1166 feet
Latitude: 48.0356
Longitude: -91.8301
On the Water- Monday July 20th-
On the water late considering how far we need to go today. Up the Horse river to the falls by 6pm. Started raining and NO campsites available. Mudrow-Alruss-Tin can Mike-Horse Lake-Horse River-Basswood. 13 miles by water. (not counting portages)
Tuesday July 21st-
Rain all night, all morning and all day. Went north by petroglyphs, table rock and the the Crocked Lake Narrows across Thursday bay to campsite. Basswood-Crooked Lake-Wednesday Bay-Thursday Bay. 11 miles in the rain.
Wednesday July 22nd-
Up early and calm winds to take advantage of, considering the big water we have to cross. Found beaver dam to lift over and did a portage from hell between Pandos lake and Chippewa Lake. VERY steep and slippery after rain. Many mud holes. Then the mile portage after Wagosh Lake to Gun Lake. Never saw another soul in a canoe or campsite the entire day! Thursday bay-Friday Bay-Pandos Lake-Chippewa Lake-Wagosh lake-Gun Lake. 11 miles by water.
Thursday July 23rd-
Finally had a dry night. got everything dry!!! A few portages today to Fourtown Lake campsite. Easy day by comparison. Gun Lake-Fairy Lake-Boot Lake-Fourtown Lake. 6 miles. Put the long miles at the first of the week for a buffer for contingencies!
Friday July 24th-
Last day. Stormed last night bad. A few portages today with one bad one between Fourtown Lake and Mudrow lake. To entry point by 1pm. Ready for a hot shower! 4 miles
Total-
45 miles by water
13 miles by portage (3 trips each)
58 miles total.
ReWormed
by sns
Trip Report
Entry Date:
September 02, 2020
Entry Point:
Angleworm Lake
Number of Days:
5
Group Size:
1
Trip Introduction:
This is the account of my less dramatic but more complete solo – less dramatic than the previous week’s short attempt: DeWormed.
My spouse had returned from the East coast with our eldest son after his campus was closed due to huge numbers of covid cases – the greeks threw a lot of parties. The previous week’s bid was only 47 hours as a result.
I was granted a reprieve and headed right back to Angleworm. The plan was to single-portage and get into the interior, and I had a PMA permit for Sundial Zone 5.
Day 1 of 5
Wednesday, September 02, 2020 [paragraph break] Following a similar protocol, the dog (as before we’ll refer to her by her pseudonym Cerberus; the last thing she needs is yet another social media stalker) and I got out of the twin cities at oh-dark-thirty and were on the trail by 10am. [paragraph break] Single portaging into Angleworm is an hour, maybe an hour-and-fifteen’s worth of work. We paddle up this scenic lake, stopping at the eastern campsite deep in a bay. This allowed us to climb a hill and briefly connect with civilization, and to check out some of the artifacts from the old logging camp there. We continued north through Home Lake at a leisurely pace and are on Gull by 2pm – notably with zero Charlie sightings! (DeWormed reference). 
[paragraph break] On Gull I am pleased to find a number of Lobster mushrooms – an enjoyable edible, and a fascinating fungus. The wind laid down and the lake was glass for the last hour of light – pleasant to be paddling, but the fish do not cooperate. Cerberus lays siege on the local Red Squirrel population. While she is both patient and fast, they are more patienter and more fasterer. 
[paragraph break] It’s a nice campsite - the Eastern one – but I am not totally thrilled with the amount of garbage in and around the fire area. My pack just got heavier. 
[paragraph break] Weather is brewing and I know the next day is going to be blustery – I had set up camp deep in the woods, and am glad I did. It started raining just after dark, and it blew 20-30, probably gusting up towards 40 mph through the night. 
[paragraph break] On Gull I am pleased to find a number of Lobster mushrooms – an enjoyable edible, and a fascinating fungus. The wind laid down and the lake was glass for the last hour of light – pleasant to be paddling, but the fish do not cooperate. Cerberus lays siege on the local Red Squirrel population. While she is both patient and fast, they are more patienter and more fasterer. [paragraph break] It’s a nice campsite - the Eastern one – but I am not totally thrilled with the amount of garbage in and around the fire area. My pack just got heavier. [paragraph break] Weather is brewing and I know the next day is going to be blustery – I had set up camp deep in the woods, and am glad I did. It started raining just after dark, and it blew 20-30, probably gusting up towards 40 mph through the night.
Day 2 of 5
Thursday, September 03, 2020 [paragraph break] This second day would have to be a layover day as the rain continued and the lake was whitecapped until mid-afternoon. I did see a group traveling (looking like they were having all the fun of a dungeon vacation during the Medieval Inquisition) so Cerberus and I opted to kick back. 
Day 3 of 5
Friday, September 04, 2020 [paragraph break] Up early; our third day is a travel day. Cerberus and I have a permit to stay in Sundial PMA – Zone 5. Sunday Lake is our target, so this will take us up through Thunder and Beartrap, then river travel on the Beartrap. [paragraph break] We breeze through to Thunder, and pass a few groups heading south. Thunder and Beartrap Lakes are quickly dispatched, and then I pull a bit of a Charlie move. I glanced at the map and erroneously made the assumption that the 1153m (intrepid reader, that’s rods aplenty; 229 to be exact) began at the outflow of Beartrap Lake. Nope! Next bay North… But there is a portage at the outflow – seems to be on the wrong side (river left) but as it’s a decent enough trail by the Canadian standards that I am used to, off we go. This works well enough – let’s call it a ‘shortcut’! There are three quick portages and a beaver dam or two along the Beartrap in this stretch, prior to the point where the Beartrap meets Spring Creek. On the last beaver dam I make a rush job of reentry into the Magic, and find myself much wetter than intended. Cerberus also had her enthusiasm dampened. But it’s a two minute delay, no more, and a lesson for your muddy minstrel. 
[paragraph break] Well over an hour after leaving Beartrap Lake, we get to the Spring Creek/Beartrap River junction, and turn North. Another portage is coming up – once again a single portage (931m – okay, 185 rods, but kind reader, I’ll have ask you not to be so picky) on the map; however it is actually 3 short ones, perhaps 500 meters (a CentuRod) in total. The last section of paddling has a couple beaver dam pullovers and is very meandering. We finally enter Sunday lake after about 4 hours of travel. 
[paragraph break] Sunday lake is not the most scenic lake in the BWCA – very little exposed rock and not a whole lot of topography. It’s small with no islands and the most mundane of geometries. But on the other hand – solitude! There are two campsites ‘established’ on the lake. The one on the eastern shore was probably nice at one point but half a dozen significant blowdowns have rendered it pretty useless. The other site is small but has a decent landing, nice fire area, and room for one tent. Or in our case, one hammock and a tiny dog tent. 
[paragraph break] We delegate tasks: Setting up Camp and Chasing Red Squirrels. Cerberus quickly demands we switch roles and then she puts the fear of Dog into the camp robbers. I was not going to say anything, but her skills with hanging the tarp are poor at best. 
[paragraph break] Then a light lunch, but Woe! I find that my gorp (Trail Mix, for the culinarily-challenged) is wet! And, I realize, wet from mucky beaver water. Not good. I was counting on that – not much extra food to be found in my lightweight pack. Rats. But wait – inspiration – or possibly early-onset Beaver Fever! I decide that a little water, plus beavergorp, heated to a rolling boil…ought to do the trick. Luncheon is served. And while this one might not win any awards for a James Beard aspirant Chef, it got me some needed calories. This was to be lunch the next day as well. 
[paragraph break] Out for some fishing in the late afternoon – a nibble or two but it’s slow. After dinner, a similar result. The stars are vivid that night; we have a relaxing evening and retire. 
[paragraph break] Well over an hour after leaving Beartrap Lake, we get to the Spring Creek/Beartrap River junction, and turn North. Another portage is coming up – once again a single portage (931m – okay, 185 rods, but kind reader, I’ll have ask you not to be so picky) on the map; however it is actually 3 short ones, perhaps 500 meters (a CentuRod) in total. The last section of paddling has a couple beaver dam pullovers and is very meandering. We finally enter Sunday lake after about 4 hours of travel. [paragraph break] Sunday lake is not the most scenic lake in the BWCA – very little exposed rock and not a whole lot of topography. It’s small with no islands and the most mundane of geometries. But on the other hand – solitude! There are two campsites ‘established’ on the lake. The one on the eastern shore was probably nice at one point but half a dozen significant blowdowns have rendered it pretty useless. The other site is small but has a decent landing, nice fire area, and room for one tent. Or in our case, one hammock and a tiny dog tent. [paragraph break] We delegate tasks: Setting up Camp and Chasing Red Squirrels. Cerberus quickly demands we switch roles and then she puts the fear of Dog into the camp robbers. I was not going to say anything, but her skills with hanging the tarp are poor at best. [paragraph break] Then a light lunch, but Woe! I find that my gorp (Trail Mix, for the culinarily-challenged) is wet! And, I realize, wet from mucky beaver water. Not good. I was counting on that – not much extra food to be found in my lightweight pack. Rats. But wait – inspiration – or possibly early-onset Beaver Fever! I decide that a little water, plus beavergorp, heated to a rolling boil…ought to do the trick. Luncheon is served. And while this one might not win any awards for a James Beard aspirant Chef, it got me some needed calories. This was to be lunch the next day as well. [paragraph break] Out for some fishing in the late afternoon – a nibble or two but it’s slow. After dinner, a similar result. The stars are vivid that night; we have a relaxing evening and retire.
Day 4 of 5
Saturday, September 05, 2020 [paragraph break] Up early – the lake is blanketed in fog. Cool! We try again for fish first thing. 
[paragraph break] Fished hard for close to two hours when finally! A small walleye is in the boat, and the breakfast menu has changed to include fish fry. Bon Appétit! 
[paragraph break] Cerberus craftily negotiates an increased share when my back is turned, and we both then have Second Breakfast as well. I also enjoy some Mocha Latte. Life is good. I shower. There is a nap in there somewhere, a book (Falco series by Davis), Swans, some terrorizing of Squirrels, and when the sun gets low enough we head out to try our luck again; I must say Cerberus is not pulling her weight in the fishing department. It’s close to two hours once again before a walleye, bored to distraction by our inept fishing, commits the aquatic version of Seppuku, and we have a modest eater in the boat. 
[paragraph break] I’ve left it late, so it’s quickly cleaned and then we share a fish fry dinner as darkness falls. We also both have Second Dinner – a special chicken-salmon kibble blend is prepared for the other guest and it’s fettuccine alfredo with fish morsels for yours truly. Most would opt for a nice Chardonnay but I prefer a Pino Noir; tragically I am unable to flag down the Sommelier. Dear reader, I am sure you can understand that this will not reflect well on my Yelp review. [paragraph break] This will be our last night, and we turn in sated.
[paragraph break] Fished hard for close to two hours when finally! A small walleye is in the boat, and the breakfast menu has changed to include fish fry. Bon Appétit! [paragraph break] Cerberus craftily negotiates an increased share when my back is turned, and we both then have Second Breakfast as well. I also enjoy some Mocha Latte. Life is good. I shower. There is a nap in there somewhere, a book (Falco series by Davis), Swans, some terrorizing of Squirrels, and when the sun gets low enough we head out to try our luck again; I must say Cerberus is not pulling her weight in the fishing department. It’s close to two hours once again before a walleye, bored to distraction by our inept fishing, commits the aquatic version of Seppuku, and we have a modest eater in the boat. [paragraph break] I’ve left it late, so it’s quickly cleaned and then we share a fish fry dinner as darkness falls. We also both have Second Dinner – a special chicken-salmon kibble blend is prepared for the other guest and it’s fettuccine alfredo with fish morsels for yours truly. Most would opt for a nice Chardonnay but I prefer a Pino Noir; tragically I am unable to flag down the Sommelier. Dear reader, I am sure you can understand that this will not reflect well on my Yelp review. [paragraph break] This will be our last night, and we turn in sated.
Day 5 of 5
Sunday, September 06, 2020 [paragraph break] Up at 6:30, Cerberus eats but I do not; still feeling Second Dinner. Camp is down and we are paddling in one hour. A strong headwind out of the South is going to make this day a slog…it’s blowing 12-15 pretty constantly. 
[paragraph break] We retrace our steps, and stay upright this time – take that, beaver dam. But just east of the Spring Creek/Beartrap Lake intersection, we find the West end of the 1153m portage back to Beartrap. Score! We jump on that and cover it in under 20 minutes – shaving off an hour from my ‘shortcut’ from two days prior. Sidenote – I specialize in those would-be ‘shortcuts’, and in that type of result. 
[paragraph break] We fight across Beartrap and Thunder, and have to hug the shore on Gull. Winds intensify briefly, delaying the paddle across Home Lake for a short while, but we eventually launch, portage and then have to dip and duck along the shoreline to make it down the length of Angleworm. I don’t use the double-blade much but it was essential on this day. Back at the parking lot at 1:40 and home by 7. [paragraph break] The exit day was ~4.5 miles of single-portaging and ~8.5 miles of paddling. Without Charlie to keep me company, this was a much better trip. Sunday Lake was great solitude – glad we went - but I do not feel a burning need to go back soon. I think there is better scenery, better fishing and equal solitude in many other places within the BWCA. [paragraph break] As it was throughout this second trip, “Charlie on the MTA” is still stuck in my head. Cerberus as well, as you can see… 
[paragraph break] We retrace our steps, and stay upright this time – take that, beaver dam. But just east of the Spring Creek/Beartrap Lake intersection, we find the West end of the 1153m portage back to Beartrap. Score! We jump on that and cover it in under 20 minutes – shaving off an hour from my ‘shortcut’ from two days prior. Sidenote – I specialize in those would-be ‘shortcuts’, and in that type of result. [paragraph break] We fight across Beartrap and Thunder, and have to hug the shore on Gull. Winds intensify briefly, delaying the paddle across Home Lake for a short while, but we eventually launch, portage and then have to dip and duck along the shoreline to make it down the length of Angleworm. I don’t use the double-blade much but it was essential on this day. Back at the parking lot at 1:40 and home by 7. [paragraph break] The exit day was ~4.5 miles of single-portaging and ~8.5 miles of paddling. Without Charlie to keep me company, this was a much better trip. Sunday Lake was great solitude – glad we went - but I do not feel a burning need to go back soon. I think there is better scenery, better fishing and equal solitude in many other places within the BWCA. [paragraph break] As it was throughout this second trip, “Charlie on the MTA” is still stuck in my head. Cerberus as well, as you can see…
discuss this trip report (7 comments) - last post on September 10, 2020