Thank gosh its finally here. The time when I finally start planning my next trip, instead of just thinking about my next trip, which are two very different things. I was already thinking about this years trip(s) when I got back from last years.

Anyways, want to do something a little different this year. Thinking about something over the Grand Marais way this year instead of my usual which is over the Ely way, or occasionally up Fernberg somewhere.

I have only been over on the Gunflint once so I really am unfamiliar with the area. I am thinking two things.

1. 3-5 day trip which most likely would be a base camp somewhere with day trips to surrounding lakes, although a loop or something might work as well.

2. A 5-7 day trip which will most likely be some sort of a loop or in and out the same way kind of a trip. I usually like to travel one day and then rest one day. Explore the surrounding lakes, paddle the lake I am on, check out campsites, hike through the forest, maybe fish in there one day.

Can I get some suggestions on these types of trips please and thank you. Not really to much I don't think in the way of criteria or anything but maybe a few things to help give a suggestion.

Solo trip and I will definitely be double portaging. Probably moving average or maybe slightly under average on the water. 2.5-3.5 MPH would be my guess. I don't mind portages, especially since I would prefer ending up somewhere out of the way. That being said I would prefer water and/or numerous small to medium size portages instead of a few long ones. 50-150 rods not 250+.

I'm usually up between 5-6AM and on the water an hour later. Like to travel till around 2ish. I am not looking to fish. To each their own but I personally find fishing to be very boring. Catching fish is fun, but I have never had good luck fishing. Spending 3-5 hours trying to catch one 3lb. Northern for dinner is not my idea of fun. It takes at least that long for me to find one and I would rather be doing other things. That being said I do like to eat one meal of fish so being on a lake where I can find Pike would be nice. I wont have any bait obviously, and I am not looking for Walleye, Bass, Trout, etc.

I don't want to be on big water. No Basswood, LLC, Ensign type things. Small and medium sized lakes, like Stuart, Horse, Tin Can, Lux, etc. Exploration, taking pics of things, finding old logging equipment or other abandoned stuff is fun for me.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Hope you guys enjoy your trips this year.

Thanks

I would suggest you go up the Arrowhead trail to McFarland and go into Pine lake there are plenty of areas to go from there, loop or base camp and day trip. There also is a old logging camp over on Spaulding Lake to explore.

I enjoy the Duncan Lake area. A nice entry on to Rose and follow the border area. Plenty of trails and waterfalls.

Check into the various outfitters who will provide ideas which may also be a good place to sleep before you go.

Another idea not what you asked for (sorry about that) but worth considering:

Go up the Sawbill trail and enter at #39 Baker Lake. Make your way up to a basecamp on South Temperance Lake which you could make in one day but could also stretch to two days. Here is what the area has to offer:

All small to medium sized lakes

Long stretches of extremely pretty river like paddling

Mostly very easy and short portages with one longer one of 225 rods but - this is a very easy portage with the length the only challenge. Otherwise there is a 12 rod, a 54 rod a 71 rod and a 5 rod portage, either the 5 or the 12 is most likely paddleable.

Good fishing AND catching opportunities for your brief time fishing

Good wildlife sighting opportunities, particularly known for moose sightings.

Daytrip opportunies from South Temperance include checking out North Temperance and maybe even as far as Cherokee(reportedly one of the prettiest BWCA lakes) or head over to Brule Lake and paddle to the huge rockslide cliff on the west end for some photo opps.

South Temperance is a beautiful lake full of bays, points and islands. If you can get the NW campsite it is possible you may not even see another canoe - nice site too.

At the north end of the Kelly to Jack portage there is a short trail into the woods that leads to an old abandoned gold mine that you can go in and explore. The shaft goes back a ways before it goes underground and is filled up with water. The area is full of artifacts from the era when it was being worked.

At the entry point(Baker Lake) there is a small 5 site campground that is very nice for a night before or after a trip with a 30 second drive from the landing. And it is free.

Not far from Sawbill Outfitters for any equipment, food or beverage needs or a trip ending shower.

If you look at the map on this site, for some reason Jack lake does not show up(at least on my PC). But trust me , it is there, between Kelly and Weird lakes. You can see the red dots indicating campsites.

An out and back trip of 3-5 days would work perfectly for this area, we did exactly that but had 6 days and really enjoyed it.

Trip report with pics if you are interested:


Baker Lake entry

Have a great trip, wherever you go

For your 3-5 day take a look at 2 spots:

Entry 47-Lizz Lake. To find some solitude, I would head to Henson or Omega Lake. There are day-trip possibilities north, south and west. You could make a short loop by heading south to Winchell and heading back east to Gaskin on your way out.

Entry 50: Cross Bay Lake. At first I was thinking of a loop through Snipe to Tuscarora, but the long portage home through Missing Link is a probably a deal breaker for you. So instead, head south to Long Island. There are terrific day-trips to Frost Lake and Cherokee Lake to the south or to Muskeg or Kiskadinna Lake to the east. Come back out the way you came in.