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BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog

April 27 2024

Entry Point 58 - South Lake

South Lake entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Gunflint Ranger Station near the city of Grand Marais, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 47 miles. Access is from Gunflint Lake with a 10-mile paddle and two short portages to South Lake. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 2
Elevation: 1561 feet
Latitude: 48.1017
Longitude: -90.5686
South Lake - 58

Gunflint to South to Clearwater

by snyde664
Trip Report

Entry Date: July 06, 2023
Entry Point: South Lake
Exit Point: Clearwater Lake (L)
Number of Days: 6
Group Size: 3

Trip Introduction:
Gunflint, North, South, Rose, Mountain, Clearwater

Report


Great overall trip! Our group was 3 people, one of whom had never been camping before and another who'd had little camping experience. All the lakes were incredibly clear and beautiful. We were told flies and mosquitos were bad but found them incredibly manageable with permethrin clothing, headnets, and a popup screen porch we brought. Were also warned about active bears around the Rose Lake area, but were diligent about keeping someone with the food bag or hanging it at all times and had no issues. Weather on the cooler side with highs of around 75 and lows hitting just below 50. Saw no one from North until we got to Rose, saw a few people everyday after that but not too many.

[paragraph break]Day 1 - Gunflint to North just outside South Lake entry [paragraph break]Day 2 - Into South, onto Rose - our first portages! [paragraph break]Day 3 - Base camp on Rose, day trip to stairway portage and rose lake cliffs - beautiful but the most people we saw on this trip was around the stairway portage and falls [paragraph break]Day 4 - Long portage day! Rose into Rove / Watap and camped on Mountain. Long portage was a real trial - ran into one flooded beaver dam area that we had to wade / float canoe / carry canoe through. Water there was pretty gross. Were pretty tired out after and happy to camp on Mountain Lake. Flies started coming out strong at this campsite. [paragraph break]Day 5 - Short jaunt into Clearwater - Mountain to Clearwater portage very hilly. Even more flies at our Clearwater camp. [paragraph break]Day 6 - Short paddle out to Clearwater lodge.

 


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