Planning a short solo trip (two nights only, boo!) for the last weekend in July. I have a newer job and haven't built-up enough vacation time to take a trip of a respectable length this year, plus I'm getting married in September (prime time for canoe trips!). That being said, I can't imagine a year without a BW trip, so I'll take what I can get.
I've been doing a lot of exploring through the middle part of the wilderness (Sawbill, and points to the west, east, and north) over the past several years, but am planning to go in at EP 30 (Lake One) in order to try something a little different.
My plan would be to paddle through Lake One, Lake Two, Lake Three, Horseshoe, Brewis, Harbor, North Wilder, and into Hudson for Day 1. Looks to be about 11 or 12 miles, and that's enough for me in one day. Any issues with portages between the smaller lakes to the south or the creek from North Wilder to Hudson?
Day 2 would bring me north out of Hudson into Fire, then west into the northern skinny part of Lake Four. I'd head into Bridge, then take the longer portage into Rifle, then on to Lake Two where I would likely camp for the second night. Heading out in the morning I'd like to take the narrow part of Lake Two, to the north, back into Lake One if that little creek through there is passable. Is it? What about in late July?
Any information on the campsites on Hudson and Lake Two? I'm a morning traveler and generally looking for a site by about 2:00, 3:00 at the latest.
The loop looks to be about 22 or 23 miles, which looks to be quite manageable for me, especially since the portaging doesn't appear to be excessive.
Any feedback on my proposed route would be much appreciated! Thanks.

Hudson was burnt to a crisp. There are some nice campsites on the north end toward Fire, but at that time of year, late in the day you'd be lucky to find a campsite. The number chain is a very popular area so if you want to put in long paddle days I'd suggest looking at another route and or entry point.

Congrats on the upcoming nuptials!

Thanks!

Here's a couple thoughts, with the caveat that many other people have been in this area much more than me and I've mostly been there in the off season when there is no competition for campsites.

First, as indicated above, the Pagami Fire burned most of the Numbered Lakes and the area to the south and east - pretty much everything you have planned on your first day once you are a few miles from the EP. Personally I think the burned area is kind of interesting, especially now that it has had a couple years for new vegetation to grow. There are a ton of snags - and firewood is easy to find. Two Octobers ago we paddled in via the Numbered Lakes to Insula where we camped two nights in the burned area and it was pretty cool (but nice to spend the third night in unburnt forest further north along the route you have planned your second day). Since most people shun fire zones, you might find that it is not that hard to get a site later in the day in this area, but that's just speculation. You'd probably have an easier time on the route you are planning if you stop before getting back to Hudson, as Hudson is on the main route to Insula requiring very little portaging and there might be more competition for campsites there.

Your tentative northern route on the second day is north of the Pagami fire zone and is really gorgeous. Because those back lakes require more portaging, I think they are also likely to be less crowded than the Numbered Lakes themselves (but I've only been there in October when no one else was there). Consider camping before you get back to Lake Two if a nice site is open on the northern arm of Lake Four, Bridge, or Rifle. I thought the site on Rifle was especially nice (we had lunch there) and it's right next to the portage. If it's open, you have the lake to yourself.

About your planned route out from Lake Two to Lake One via the narrow channel to the north - NO, you can't go that way. I mean, I haven't tried it, but it's been the subject of lots of posts, and many maps mark it as "Dangerous Waters." Nope. Uh uh.

One more thing - the route right after you leave the entry point is surprisingly tricky for such a popular place to start for newbies. You want to find a very narrow channel that is kind of hidden from view. Lots of people are drawn instead to the larger very conspicuous deadend bay stretching to the northeast. You want to aim a bit south of there as you paddle east. Then you will be in the narrow channel and go by the Kawishiwi resort on the shore before turning further south and west. Even after that, Lake One is a surprisingly hard lake to navigate so keep your map handy. After you get to Lake Two it's pretty straightforward.

Thanks so much for the valuable info!

I didn't realize that so much of this area was burned. My brother and I paddled through the burned area north of Kawishiwi a couple of years ago, on a rainy day, and it was hauntingly beautiful. The campsites on Kawachong (sp?) were still closed at that time, but the vegetation was starting to make a comeback. I also went through the burned area on the southeast side of Long Island last year, and there is definitely something eerily cool about that sort of landscape. However, I don't really have a desire to camp in a recently burned area.

....and thanks for the advice on getting into Lake One from the EP. Gotta love the anxious feeling of not being able to find your way out of the lake!

About your planned route out from Lake Two to Lake One via the narrow channel to the north - NO, you can't go that way. I mean, I haven't tried it, but it's been the subject of lots of posts, and many maps mark it as "Dangerous Waters." Nope. Uh uh.

I want to underscore what HoHo said. The narrow channel is a dead end. Do not go there. My family spent 9 years staying at Kawishiwi Lodge and we always took a picnic lunch to the campsite near the Lake One side of that rapids. We saw many groups try it, and everyone came back muddy and sore.

"Do not stray from the path!" Gandalf.

Dave

Ho-Ho is correct about the north fingerling of lake Two - NOT passable in your canoe "Dangerous Waters" on my McKenzie maps. I had family try and end up over turned in the big rapids and chutes. The map is deceiving. Portage around or don't go. It is a long walk around.

Thanks again! The Voyageur map shows that area as a definite maybe, so I'm glad I asked. I don't recall seeing posts about this area, but im not on the message board too often. Plus, my memory is super good, it just tends to be really short!

I love that we have this awesome forum for sharing ideas and experience.....what a great tool for planning trips to an area we're not familiar with.

I haven't been through the numbered lakes since the Pagami fire, but a nice two night trip might be to do the Kawishiwi Triangle. Day One could be Lake One to somewhere along the North Kawishiwi. Day Two could be through Clear, back into the South Kawishiwi and back north. Day Three could be out from wherever you get to to Lake One.

Thanks. I've considered something along those lines and it sounds like a pretty good idea.

I have a similar route pinned on my 'someday' list where I would paddle to the north end of Lake 4 and stay 2 nights. Day 2 would be spent doing a loop through Fire and Hudson and back to camp and then I would head out on Day 3 through Bridge and Rifle and back to Lake 2. Each day would be about and 8 mile paddle, day 1 with 2 portages and day 2 and 3 both having 6 portages. Voyaguer North wrote about this area in their 2015 Gazette if you can find a copy.

JD

quote jdevries: "I have a similar route pinned on my 'someday' list where I would paddle to the north end of Lake 4 and stay 2 nights. Day 2 would be spent doing a loop through Fire and Hudson and back to camp and then I would head out on Day 3 through Bridge and Rifle and back to Lake 2. Each day would be about and 8 mile paddle, day 1 with 2 portages and day 2 and 3 both having 6 portages. Voyaguer North wrote about this area in their 2015 Gazette if you can find a copy.
JD"

This is a nice route! Get an early start so you find sites.

quote jdevries: "I have a similar route pinned on my 'someday' list where I would paddle to the north end of Lake 4 and stay 2 nights. Day 2 would be spent doing a loop through Fire and Hudson and back to camp and then I would head out on Day 3 through Bridge and Rifle and back to Lake 2. Each day would be about and 8 mile paddle, day 1 with 2 portages and day 2 and 3 both having 6 portages. Voyaguer North wrote about this area in their 2015 Gazette if you can find a copy.


JD"

You can click on this above to read the Gazette version Jdevries mentions. (hope it works anyway) 2015 Voyageur North Gazette(1).pdf
Also a short story of the area from last fall
Voyageur North 2017 Gazette link