Hi all,

I've planned a six day trip in early September for my father and I. This will be his first ever BWCA trip.
My father is 58 years old, a tad overweight (so am I), and has minimal experience outside of state park camping.
My plan is to enter at Angleworm and try to make it up to Beartrap sometime during the trip. This is an area that I have not yet been to, but I've been looking forward to exploring for some time. I do not know exactly what to expect once we hit the portage to Angleworm. My father works physical labor, and he is capable of taxing himself physically, but I want to make this trip enjoyable, and I don't want the Angleworm portage to make him regret coming.
We will be at the portage entrance by 7:00am, and I plan to take it as slow as possible. If it takes us all day to get to Angleworm, that will be fine with me.
I will be carrying the canoe and 1 pack. I will have my father carry 1 pack, and we will single-portage the whole way.

What do you guys think of this plan? I'm reaching out for any input/advice that may help make this an enjoyable experience for my father. We do plan to fish quite a bit, and I know he is looking forward to that part.

Thanks,

Tyler

As a "first time" trip for your dad, this might be pretty over whelming. As you must know, that portage is 714 rods - that is 2.25 miles. If you are doing this portage, you might think about doing a "leap frog" system so neither of you carry too much and you get to rest and enjoy the woods as you go back "empty" to get the last pack on the leap. FYI - this is the topo of the portage going SW to NE

Since you are going in September, there will be less traffic and you could go in Mudro and get to much the same area with less portage.

quote Grandma L: "As a "first time" trip for your dad, this might be pretty over whelming. As you must know, that portage is 714 rods - that is 2.25 miles. If you are doing this portage, you might think about doing a "leap frog" system so neither of you carry too much and you get to rest and enjoy the woods as you go back "empty" to get the last pack on the leap. FYI - this is the topo of the portage going SW to NE

Since you are going in September, there will be less traffic and you could go in Mudro and get to much the same area with less portage."

Thank you. I appreciate the topo map!
This is the response that I anticipated.

I've never been to this area, and to be quite honest, I really want to take the Angleworm portage. Maybe I'm being selfish.
We are going very light. I have my UL canoe, and I will carry the whole way along with a pack on my back. He will be carrying a ~40lb pack on his back, but nothing else.
Again, if need be, we can take all day on that portage and set up on Angleworm on night 1.

Is this stupid or doable?

Well, it is doable - for sure - but fun? enjoyable? purpose? That is a great area and September will be beautiful there. I would just go in another entry to avoid that level of work (portage) unless there is a goal for such a plan. You might think about another entry in the area and taking a couple of creature comforts (light weight chair or hammock, good tarp) so your dad is more comfortable and really enjoys the trip rather than survives it.

Is it an endurance challenge for you - your goal? but what about your dad? If you want his first trip to get him more interested and willing to go on more adventures - maybe.... you should not overwhelm him before he even sees the lake. At least get his buy in and let him know exactly what he is in for. Angleworm might be a better route plan for you and a young buddy.

If you are into challenges - check out the Voyageur Challenge - Far west starting at Crane Lake (entry #12) to far east - Grand Portage. Sept 2 - 10 - 250 miles and the last portage is the 9 miles from Fort Charlotte to Superior (Grand Portage). Contact BeaV here on BWCA.com for the details.

That's a hell of a first portage. My daughter and I backpacked the Angleworm trail last October, and we didn't go too far beyond that portage before stopping for a break, and that was with actual backpacks packed for backpacking.

Also, keep in mind that *strong* doesn't translate to *has aerobic endurance*. Aerobic condition is a much bigger factor on portages than strength, and it's easy to assume you can muscle your way down a portage, when what you really need is aerobic capacity.

I guess I'd consider an entry point with an easier start than that one - it's a pretty hardcore way to start a trip for a first-timer who you describe as being a little overweight. Mudro would definitely make for an easier start.

Not to totally talk you out of it, Angleworm lake is stunningly beautiful, and pretty secluded. There are some gorgeous sites there too.

Dad and I (71 and 52) just did a trip in June (his 1st canoe trip in 55 years!). We single portaged - not as light as you're planning - and had one portage over a mile, and several pretty chunky ones that had a lot of elevation change to them. He did just fine carrying ~55 lbs. 700+ rods will be a booger, no doubt, but don't sell the old man short - I'm sure you all will do just fine, and then be able to brag about the feat!

If you want him to have an enjoyable experience, I would consider a different route. That length of portage on a flat level sidewalk carrying your load in 65° weather with the sun shining and a light breeze would be difficult. Looking at the graph that GrandmaL posted... that's a whole different story. Factor in rain, mud, heat, humidity, cold and whatever else can get thrown at you and unless you do this often, or compete in triathalons, it it not something I would do for a first trip. Let's say the day you enter has rain falling all day, you will be contending with slippery rocks, mud, wet packs and generally miserable conditions along with frustration and a negative attitude. You need to plan not only physically for this route, but mentally as well. You plan to get on the trail at 7:00 a.m. , last year on our exit day in September we sat at the edge of our campsite with our canoes loaded until 8:40 because of fog on the lake. Visibility was less than 50 feet. You may eventually make it to your destination but you will be thinking about the trip back all week. You will have to carry water with you because I doubt that you will find anything along the way to filter from, that adds weight. Personally I think it's easier to start with something easy and work your way towards larger goals. You can find just as pretty scenery, and great fishing, without all of the work for his first trip. In September you won't have to go as far in to get away from others because there will be a lot less people.

I took 3 first-timers last September. All about your dad's age and all in great physical condition. They all either walked daily, worked out in a gym several times a week, or played softball, We hit a 180 rod portage with not nearly as much elevation change as you are looking at and I thought two of the guys were going to die, so did they. It took us almost 2 hours to double portage it. 40 lb. packs turn into 60 lb. packs in the last few hours of packing. For a few months after the trip they all wanted to go back. Now almost a year later it's "I'm not sure if I can do that again". This was a bucket list trip for them, but also something they hoped to do every two years.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope that you and your dad have a great trip. I look forward to reading your trip report.

Put a 40-lb pack on his back before you go and walk 3 miles around the neighborhood (that'll be easier than the portage). That will tell him (and you) if it's a good idea or not.

Like Tom said, strong (lifting) is one thing, endurance is another. I suspect he may be a little short on the aerobic stamina and there's not much time left to change it before the trip.

quote boonie: "Put a 40-lb pack on his back before you go and walk 3 miles around the neighborhood (that'll be easier than the portage). That will tell him (and you) if it's a good idea or not.


Like Tom said, strong (lifting) is one thing, endurance is another. I suspect he may be a little short on the aerobic stamina and there's not much time left to change it before the trip. "

And crawl up and down over every car and fence that you encounter, soaking wet, and blindfolded. That's how a couple of guys in my group described what they would have to do in order to get ready for another trip like the last one.

Boonie's suggestion to practice with a pack is good. That's what I did before our trip in 1999. I was 56, on my 3rd only trip & my brother was 44, with a bad knee I found out about later. We double portaged, so about 6 miles total. We did stop to rest about 3 times. It began raining rather hard that day; the first part of the trail was fine; the boardwalk over Spring Creek was deep under water and not visible so had to feel our way across it and the granite was very slippery after that. We took our time and did camp on Angleworm that day. I don't remember having any problem with the elevation, except when I fell & started sliding toward the edge of a small cliff. It was one of our favorite trips, a beautiful area. Now, don't ask me about the Angleworm/ Trease portage on the way out. That's another story.

If your father can practice with a pack and you take your time, it should be doable; and it will give you both a great sense of accomplishment.
Would love to hear after your trip what you decided to do and how your father liked it.

I really do appreciate all the feedback!
I totally understand the people who warn against this trip, and I welcome the encouragement from others!

As some have suggested, I will start this week by taking my father on a walk with a fully loaded pack. I'll see how he does! We have a good deal of time left, so even if he feels out of shape, we can try to build that stamina up with these walks.

Are you planning to both start and end at Angleworm - so you have to do that long portage twice?

I have been doing a family guys trip with my dad for the last 16 years. He is 71 years old now, and is an amazing trooper on these trips. But I will tell you that portaging is his least favorite part of the trip. Getting in and out of the canoe and shouldering a heavy pack for a long walk are the most difficult things for him.

We purposely go to quetico or cirrus lakes in quetico so that we can travel some distance with minimal portages.

quote Skarc75: "I really do appreciate all the feedback!
I totally understand the people who warn against this trip, and I welcome the encouragement from others!


As some have suggested, I will start this week by taking my father on a walk with a fully loaded pack. I'll see how he does! We have a good deal of time left, so even if he feels out of shape, we can try to build that stamina up with these walks. "

It's a reasonable plan; let us know how that walk goes.

I say go for it! You've made it clear that you've done some research and fully expect that it might take a good chunk of the day. Like someone mentioned, strap your packs on and go for a hike and if that goes ok you'll be fine.

I've seen plenty of groups that are not at all prepared to cover even 10 rod portage but if you've got your gear situated they are nothing to be afraid of. Sure they are challenging but to me that's part of the draw of the BW, to push ourselves to do something outside of the daily grind. Have a great trip with your dad and let us know how it goes.

"I want to make this trip enjoyable, and I don't want the Angleworm portage to make him regret coming."

Why even take a chance of that happening, then, when you can choose from a host of other routes that don't require a lengthy initial portage that's not likely to be enjoyable? And if it takes a whole day to get to Angleworm, as you predict, then you've missed a day's paddle. This seems like your trip, not your father's, and it really should be his, as it's his first BWCA trip.

I did a winter backpacking trip to Angleworm 20 years ago, and, while winter conditions are obviously different, the walk in was no picnic.

I should note that a couple years ago I took a friend on his first BWCA trip - from Round to Tuscarora. Only 3 lakes, but 600+ rods of portaging. While he was in his 50's, he also bikes 30+ miles every day and has done the RAGBRAI multiple times. He had a great time, as we snagged the island site in Tusc, caught lake trout, and had super weather except for some strong winds. But he wasn't a fan of the portages, and he hasn't been back to the BWCA since. And I had other seasoned BWCA trippers question either my sanity, or whether I had it in for my friend.

Are you doing a loop or straight in and out trip - does that mean doing the 714 rod portage twice?????
Or are you doing the 271 between Home and Gull?
I am beginning to wonder if your proposal to do the Angleworm route is just to get a conversation going?

quote Grandma L: "As a "first time" trip for your dad, this might be pretty over whelming. As you must know, that portage is 714 rods - that is 2.25 miles. If you are doing this portage, you might think about doing a "leap frog" system so neither of you carry too much and you get to rest and enjoy the woods as you go back "empty" to get the last pack on the leap. FYI - this is the topo of the portage going SW to NE

Since you are going in September, there will be less traffic and you could go in

I was 57 last year and double portaged EP45 at Morgan Lake. I was in excellent shape for my age and it damn near killed me. I recall it's about 1.25 miles. I carried the canoe and still regret it. Just my .02 worth.

quote Grandma L: "Are you doing a loop or straight in and out trip - does that mean doing the 714 rod portage twice?????
Or are you doing the 271 between Home and Gull?
I am beginning to wonder if your proposal to do the Angleworm route is just to get a conversation going? "

I'm not sure why you're questioning whether or not I'm being genuine...
I can assure you that this is a serious proposal, as I already have the permit.

To answer your question, I haven't yet decided whether to make the loop or not. I was thinking we would just play it by ear. But, I've received some great feedback here, and I think I will start by just taking him for a 2-3 mile hike with a pack to see how he does.

I think that's a good plan. It will give you and your father a more realistic basis to make your decision, especially after several of them.

It seems that portaging difficulty is the thing that catches most first-timers by surprise. A lot of that I think has to do with pack weight, which is an area where you might look for reductions.

I made continued efforts to reduce pack weight before my last trip and found it paid great dividends for me. I also did a lot of walking, including some serious hill walking.

Since you have all day to do the portage - which is basically 1 1/2 hours of slow walking (1.5 mph) - there is also the possibility that you could go back and carry his pack the rest of the way if it becomes too much. If he is not used to aerobic endurance activities, make sure he is hydrated to start and continues to drink.

Not sure if it's been mentioned this yet, but do some research on the trails as you get closer to Angleworm. I have read that if you take a wrong turn, you may end up on the hiking trail instead of at the lake. No use in adding any distance :-)

I have Angleworm on my list for a solo at some point. I need to get lighter first though.

I just came back from a trip a few weeks ago with two of my sisters. Their first trip. We went in at Kawishiwi lake. After two short portages, I gave them the option to camp and they wanted to press on. After the two longer portages into Poly, they were ready to camp. I asked my sister if she will go again, and she said it depends on the portages.

Just take it slow and rest if you need to.

quote Skarc75: "

quote Grandma L: "As a "first time" trip for your dad, this might be pretty over whelming. As you must know, that portage is 714 rods - that is 2.25 miles. If you are doing this portage, you might think about doing a "leap frog" system so neither of you carry too much and you get to rest and enjoy the woods as you go back "empty" to get the last pack on the leap. FYI - this is the topo of the portage going SW to NE

Since you are going in September, there will be less traffic and you could go in Mudro and get to much the same area with less portage."

Thank you. I appreciate the topo map!
This is the response that I anticipated.


I've never been to this area, and to be quite honest, I really want to take the Angleworm portage. Maybe I'm being selfish.
We are going very light. I have my UL canoe, and I will carry the whole way along with a pack on my back. He will be carrying a ~40lb pack on his back, but nothing else.
Again, if need be, we can take all day on that portage and set up on Angleworm on night 1.


Is this stupid or doable? "

Who's carrying the rods and the paddles?

Boonie,

I appreciate your help! I like the idea of letting him drop a pack if he feels he's getting too tired. That actually sounds like a very good game plan.

Again, I'm not 100% certain that we're going to do this, but he does seem excited for the challenge. I'm trying to explain the trials and tribulations of portaging in the BWCA, especially emphasizing the length of this one. Hopefully it's not a shock to him when/if we get there!

Who's carrying the rods and the paddles?"

Fair question!

I like to bungee the rods underneath the seats so that they stay in the canoe while portaging. I do the same for the paddles. It's a bit of extra work/weight but I think that pays off.

Here are several photos of the Angleworm portage. Sorry for the quality & size,
they are from a disposable camera, but I thought it would give you an idea of the portage. I didn't mention in the previous post, but I was a woman who was in my mid 50's, slightly overweight and slightly out of shape, carrying a 50 # pack when I did this. I do like hiking and portaging, so that may have factored into my thinking this one was not that hard, just long. Also, this was 18 years ago, so the portage may be in different shape now.

The first pic is after the actual entrance to the BWCA, the last one at Spring Creek and the other two after that.

Try to include some elevation and off the trail when you are out hiking . That will give him a better idea of what it will be like.

quote IceColdGold: "Not sure if it's been mentioned this yet, but do some research on the trails as you get closer to Angleworm. I have read that if you take a wrong turn, you may end up on the hiking trail instead of at the lake. No use in adding any distance :-)

When we backpacked it in October it was fairly straightforward if you were paying attention to the map, but there is a place where the trail goes off in four different directions and so it's important to know which way you want to go there. The backpacking loop is a *loop*, and portage follows the backpacking loop from that junction to the west side of the lake, not the east, and where the portage landing diverges from the west side of the backpacking trail it should be fairly obvious. They're going enough earlier in the season that it could be harder to tell - by mid October most of the leaves were off the trees, which made route-finding easier - but I think it should be fairly clear as long as they're watching the map.

quote Skarc75: "Boonie,


I appreciate your help! I like the idea of letting him drop a pack if he feels he's getting too tired. That actually sounds like a very good game plan.


Again, I'm not 100% certain that we're going to do this, but he does seem excited for the challenge. I'm trying to explain the trials and tribulations of portaging in the BWCA, especially emphasizing the length of this one. Hopefully it's not a shock to him when/if we get there!"

If he's still excited about the challenge after the "dose of reality" - a good solid hike with the pack - then you're probably good to go. He'll know if he needs to do a little more conditioning or abort. Better to abort beforehand than at the beginning of the trip. Good luck. I hope it all works out.

Angleworm overnighter is possibly the most entertaining trip report ever written. The whole comments thread is the best. I encourage you to read this classic.
Angleworm Overnighter

quote wrestlencanoe: "Angleworm overnighter is possibly the most entertaining trip report ever written. The whole comments thread is the best. I encourage you to read this classic.
Angleworm Overnighter "

OH MY....that was a wonderful report - I giggled and laughed through the entire reading. I will have to share this around the campfire with the grand kids on one of our upcomig trips.
Corndog - where ever you are - you are a great entertainer and canoe tripper. Thanks for the old but great report!

Update 8/24/17:

After much hesitation and second-guessing, we've decided that we will, in fact, head to Angleworm next week!
I received a ton of valuable feedback from this board earlier this summer. Some were favorable to this idea, and others warned against it. I did have the chance to take my father on the Moose Lake trail with a loaded pack. He did very well for the first 2 miles, then began to slow. I plan to take this portage very slow, with frequent breaks. All in all, I feel that this is doable, and I feel that I've instilled a dose of reality in his head.

Anybody have any good recommendations for finding walleyes on Angleworm, Home, Gull, Thunder or Beartrap?

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I will get my trip report uploaded soon after I return!

I was wondering the other day about your trip plan and how it was going. So now you both know it is possible, but will be a little tough and tiring. Eat a good breakfast and stay hydrated and fueled on the portage. Good luck. I hope it goes well.

angleworm is a beautiful lake but for me very poor fishing. the lakes north of here have walleye but i'm betting you won't be wanting to do anymore portaging. i've carried a canoe on this portage several times. its tough. this will likely be your dads first and last trip. when i'm bringing new people i try to make sure it is enjoyable, i'm not sure if your goal is angleworm or doing a tough portage. angleworm is a worthy goal, the portage not so much. it was constructed as an access to a long abandoned fire lookout. if you start at hegman you can see the pictographs, the portage from tease to angleworm is every bit as hard as the 720 rod from the road.

as a note i will add that i have been on angleworm when every campsite has been occupied. several times.

I agree, make the first trip as enjoyable as possible, don't try to challenge yourself at your dads expense. If you need to challenge yourself do it solo or with more experienced trippers.

quote mutz: "I agree, make the first trip as enjoyable as possible, don't try to challenge yourself at your dads expense. If you need to challenge yourself do it solo or with more experienced trippers."

+1

Good for you for going thru with your plan! I'm sure the walk in the woods will be fine and well worth it. People take 10 mile hikes for the heck of it in state parks everywhere, you are taking a 2.25 mile hike with a goal, which makes it so much easier. I'm amazed at how adverse people are to portaging on the BWCA forum...

quote CharChar: "I'm amazed at how adverse people are to portaging on the BWCA forum..."

I wouldn't take an overweight 58 year old first-timer on a 2.25 mile portage and expect a happy camper at camp... just my thinking. First-timers need sunshine, camptime, scenery, good food, a little fishing, a good time. This sounds like a "one and done" trip plan to me. Hope I am wrong. Eager to read the trip report.

quote CharChar: "Good for you for going thru with your plan! I'm sure the walk in the woods will be fine and well worth it. People take 10 mile hikes for the heck of it in state parks everywhere, you are taking a 2.25 mile hike with a goal, which makes it so much easier. I'm amazed at how adverse people are to portaging on the BWCA forum..."

I don't think the responses are adverse to long portages, we all do them when we have to, I think the opposition is to making a first trip a difficult trip which could mean a trip that was not enjoyed resulting in a been there, done that, not again result.

quote CharChar: "Good for you for going thru with your plan! I'm sure the walk in the woods will be fine and well worth it. People take 10 mile hikes for the heck of it in state parks everywhere, you are taking a 2.25 mile hike with a goal, which makes it so much easier. I'm amazed at how adverse people are to portaging on the BWCA forum..."

I think most of the suggestions that it might not be a good idea for his first trip arise from the fact that an almost universal #1 complaint from first-timers is the difficulty of portaging, even the short easy ones. Most people seem to be unprepared for it.

I think that after the "test" hike, they have a much more realistic basis for their decision, which is a good thing.