Hello,
A group of friends and I are planning a trip for early July to the Boundary waters. We have 4 days and since this will be our third trip we are looking for something a little more challenging, but still possible in just four days. We are really interested in seeing Johnson Falls or Rose Falls. I'm a little deterred by some of the larger lakes and long portages in the area, but I think we can tackle them given enough time. Would it be possible to plan a loop that would incorporate both falls? Does anyone have experience with the lakes/rivers along the border?

We are also open to alternative suggestions. In the past we've started out of Ely, and were looking for something on the Gunflint side...

I've done a 3 day trip just to Johnson Falls out of EP 62 Clearwater, that's a very doable route. The first long portage is long, but the middle is easy and flat. The ends of it have a few puddles and a little elevation change but not bad at all. Pine lake can build some big waves because of its long E-W shape, but if you're only on the west end it's not a problem.

Thank you for the input! How was the traffic when you were there? I'm sure Johnson falls are a popular destination. Did you have any difficulty finding nice campgrounds?

Welcome 3xBWCA -
As for route - you can do a 3 day loop
Start at Bearskin-Entry at Duncan #60 - then the stairway portage to Rose (past the falls), On to Rove, Watap, Mountain, drop south to Clearwater. Then Caribou and Little Caribou - do a side trip to Johnson Falls (this avoids the 426 R. portage) Next on to Deer, Moon and out Flour and Hungry Jack to the landing again.

The portage between Rose and Rove is not as bad as it looks - the first 400 rods are pretty flat (old railroad bed). We think of it as out hiking day - with canoes/packs. The route is 25-26 miles with a total of about 1500 rods.
Nice sites on Rose-just east of the portage. it is a little busy but the big portages keep out the crowds.

Thank you! This is the information I needed. Should be a fun trip!

Here is the report from when we visited both falls in the same trip. We took our time on that trip & stretched it out over several days. But, as long as the wind is cooperative, you should be able to see them both in the window of time you've allotted.

P.S. if you make it to Johnson falls, be sure to check out the colossal cedar tree just downstream too.

Its been alluded to, but I'll spell it out - the wind tends to howl from west to east on the Gunflint. Which is why the suggestion has been to travel from west to east, not the other way around. On smaller lakes its not as big of a deal. On Clearwater, Rose and Mountain it can be a big deal.

The Rove and Watap section is very pretty, very little traveled.

The Border Route trail spur trail (east) on the Mountain-Clearwater portage is worth a detour:



Daniel

quote TuscaroraBorealis: " Here is the report from when we visited both falls in the same trip."

Tusc, I have picked at portions of that trip report for years, gathering information in anticipation of the day I might see that view from the Rose Lake Cliffs. Today, I settled in with a pot of coffee and followed your full 8 days with maps of the area at hand, absorbing details of the portages and campsites and information along the Border Route Trail.

A day trip from Hungry Jack to Duncan and the cliffs is on our June 2017 calendar.

A hearty thanks for your details and your way with words which both set the scene so beautifully. There was a real sense of being there.