Trying to plan a short quick weekend trip to the BW. So drive time AND paddle/portage time is key for this trip. We'd like to spend most of the 2-1/2 days in the BW and not traveling to it.

It's been a long time since we've tripped off the Echo Trail... so I don't recall the travel time to get there.

Once we pick up our permit in town, how long is the drive from Ely up the Echo Trail to LIS North?

Thanks in advance!

It's only 32 mi, but I recall that it was about an hour drive.

I concur with Schweady, it's every bit of an hour, despite being 32 miles. Nice drive, but a long one.

Mike

Is it any easier to get to from the west - Orr end of Echo trail? or from Cook? I'm heading there in a few weeks and don't need to go to Ely before.

quote billconner: "Is it any easier to get to from the west - Orr end of Echo trail? or from Cook? I'm heading there in a few weeks and don't need to go to Ely before."

Yeah, it's faster Han going through Ely. I take the Orr route all the time. It's about 20 minutes from Buyck to EP 14 and 35 minutes from Orr.

quote anthonyp007: "

quote billconner: "Is it any easier to get to from the west - Orr end of Echo trail? or from Cook? I'm heading there in a few weeks and don't need to go to Ely before."

Yeah, it's faster Han going through Ely. I take the Orr route all the time. It's about 20 minutes from Buyck to EP 14 and 35 minutes from Orr. "

So that sounds like the route we would be better off taking - at least for time.. I just would need to figure out picking up my permit and having breakfast somewhere. We were originally planning to drive overnight.. hit Britton's for breakfast when they open... pick up permit at an outfitters when they open and hit the road from Ely.

Any suggestions about how we can get breakfast and permit if we hit the west end of the Echo instead? (yes we can bring breakfast with us and eat in the van. just not our preference)

Thanks again in advance... we have primarily tripped on the east side for the past decade so I am not as familiar with the west side options.

There is a Ranger Station in Cook to get the permit. You will go thru Cook prior to getting to Orr. Just need to time it right to be there when they are open.

quote RLJ: "There is a Ranger Station in Cook to get the permit. You will go thru Cook prior to getting to Orr. Just need to time it right to be there when they are open."

They don't open until 8. I can pick up a permit earlier than that at an outfitter in Ely (6 or 7) and make it to EP sooner. We did this a few years ago with Lake Three for a weekend. Brittons at 5. permit pickup at 6. at a site on lake three in time for mid morning coffee. Hoping for a similar outcome with LIS North but not sure we can pull it off. Wondering if there's an outfitter on west side that I can pickup from instead. i'll do a little research but if anyone knows of one... feel free to chime in.

quote MikeinMpls: "I concur with Schweady, it's every bit of an hour, despite being 32 miles. Nice drive, but a long one.


Mike"

+1. We've done that entry a couple of times and usually stayed at Lake Jeanette campground. It's usually an hour drive due to road conditions.

You could pick up your permit from Anderson's and eat breakfast at Voyagaire Lodge in Crane lake. They open at 6.

It's been a few years since we've been there but, we give Trails End 2 thumbs up for their breakfast. It's just north of the Echo Trail right on the west end of Echo Lake (making it very convenient as well).

All great suggestions.. thanks, I'll check them out!

We may not end up doing a quick weekend trip through there. We're letting the 18 year old help pick and she's a little lazy these days. She's leaning towards a no portage trip on either Sawbill or Seagull.

But hubby and I may hit LIS North in September if I can swing another vacation week this fall.

The trip to the restaurant alone might be worth it!