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BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog

March 15 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

BWCA 2012 Trip

by sulley329
Trip Report

Entry Date: May 29, 2012
Entry Point: Little Gabbro Lake
Number of Days: 4
Group Size: 2

Trip Introduction:
My buddy Matt and I decided to make a quick trip to the BWCA this year just the two of us. We both went last year as part of a group of four. We couldn't find anyone else to go with this year so we headed out on our own.

Day 1 of 4


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Day one starts at 1 am as we make the drive from Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Ely, Minnesota. The drive was relatively uneventful and we arrived at Jordan's Outfitters at about 7 am. With the paperwork done and the gear loaded we are on our way to the entry point. (We have had great experiences with Jordan's and will continue to use them for our future trips.) We get dropped off and decide that a single portage is the way to go for us. We make it to water by about 8 am and that's when the rain starts. We both get wet pretty quick so we decide to make the paddle without donning our rain gear. The rain is intermittent and isn't all that bad at all. We make it through the rapids going into Gabbro Lake with relative ease and start making our way across the lake. We meet a couple on their way out and they offer us leeched and some great advice about what sites are open on the lake. Turns out they are just leaving one of the sites we had our eyes on so we beat feet for that site. (Camp 1715.) One other bonus was that they told us the left plenty of firewood. (To the couple that we got everything from "Thank You!" it was all greatly appreciated.) We arrived at camp between 9 and 9:30 am and start setting up camp. With the tent up, the fire started, and the water pumped it was time to get dry and try our hand at some fishing. We were able to land a couple small northern, 14"-16" range and have a small snack. The clouds continued to roll in and it started raining again. We made our steaks over the fire between the rain spells and decided to retire to the tent about 5 pm. A couple of games of cards later and we were ready to call it a night.  

 



Day 2 of 4


Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Day two started off a little chilly and with some cloud cover. Breakfast consisted of instant oatmeal and fresh coffee. After breakfast we hung out at camp and tried to get things dried out from the rain. We were able to spot a rainbow over the lake and snap a couple pictures. As the day progressed the weather got warmer and the cloud cover lifted turned out be a nice afternoon. We were able to get one eater walleye from shore at camp and decided to make our way out in the canoe and try some fishing. Well we didn't have much luck. We were both able to get a couple of fish on but could not land them. So goes it you win some you lose some. Dinner was another round of steaks, it would have been nice to have some walleye with them too.

 



Day 3 of 4


Thursday, May 31, 2012

Man what a beautiful day Thursday turned out to be. Not a cloud in the sky, sunny, and warm. After breakfast we decided to lay out our gear and get it dried out from the rain on Tuesday. I also set up my solar shower with the hopes of getting in a nice hot shower that day. ( I was not disappointed.) After we got out gear re-situated it was time to go fishing. We headed to the rapids between Little Gabbro and Gabbro. We fished for a couple hours and had no luck at all. By this time I am starting to question my abilities as a fisherman. With no luck at the rapids we head back to camp and stop to fish at a couple other spots marked on the map. Still no luck. We get back to camp and have lunch. After that I retire to my hammock for a siesta and Matt took the canoe out for a little solo voyage. After I wake we decide its time to clean up. I take to my solar shower and Matt jumps in the lake. I'm pretty sure by the length of his jaunt into the lake the water was still pretty cool. I don't care what anyone says a nice hot shower in the BWCA feels great! We spend the rest of the afternoon around camp and wait for the sun to start to set. About 7 pm we head out for one last fishing trip and this time we are reward with 3 walleye. Not much but with the one on the stringer that's four fish and is plenty for two guys. Time to head back to camp and have a shore lunch. After dishes are done we spend some time packing up what we won't need and get ready for the paddle out the next day.     

 



Day 4 of 4


Friday, June 01, 2012

Day four.....Today we paddle out. The trip was very short and in my opinion too short. After breakfast we start breaking down camp and packing the canoe. We decide to head out about 10:00 am and make the paddle back to our entry point. We arrive and see a couple big groups at the end of the portage. We decide to paddle around a little bit and take our time as we have plenty of it. Once we decided to land we make a double portage since we have the time. Back to Jordan's for a shower and into Ely for a meal before we hit the road and start the drive back home.

 


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