This is the first time I've been in charge of planning a trip to BWCA and have overnight permits for Lake One (will be there 4 days).

My original plan was to go over to Lake Insula and come back out Lake One as well. Any opinions on this route? I'm pretty concerned about how much of the area we would be exploring was burned in the fire from several years ago. My friends coming on the trip with me are travelling quite a distance (one from Colombia as part of a slightly longer US trip) and want to show them how beautiful BWCA really is. Any alternative suggestions? Thanks!

There are some great sites on Insula and it's a very pretty paddle to get there with a nice mix of scenery. I'd say take a day to get there and then a day or two exploring further east. If you open the map section of this site you can see where others have posted pictures of scenic or cool areas or points of interest. There may be lots of other people around if you are going over a weekend.

First of All, Welcome to the board!!!
As Vanderstorm said - good mix of scenery and terrain on your proposed trip.
Lake One to Insula is a good trip for the 4 days you suggested - 2 days in - 2 out. You might look at going in Lake 1,2, 3, and 4 - thru Hudson to Insula (northere half).
Remember the burn is the south half of Lk 1 and 2 and most of 3, 4 and the southern half of Hudson and Insula.

It is 16 miles to get from Entry at Lk 1 to above the burn on Insula - unless you get a VERY early start - you might have trouble finding a site. It is about a 6-8 hour travel time (2-2.5 mph is usual) depending on weather and number of stops you make.

Check out staying on the north peak of Hudson on your first night and then on to Insula. On the way back out to Lk 1, check going north out of Hudson or Lk 4 and thru Bridge and Rifle to avoid the burn on the way out. Bridge and Rifle are much less travelled and have a more remote feel.

I have done this route many times with family and friends. It is one of our "weekend specials". Though a busy area, pretty good fishing and some good camp sites along the way.

Welcome. You will find this website has lots of information beyond the messageboard. The maps have icons that discuss portages and campsites, fishing and photo ops as well. You can use the search tool to locate trip reports to the areas you are considering and get lots of information, often with photos.

The route you identify is a popular one and a very do-able one day trip from the Lake One entry to Insula. Depending on time of year that route can be busy and finding a camp site later in the day could be a problem. The burn area you mention is mostly to the south of this route but does hit the southern part of Insula pretty hard. It has grown back enough to actually offer some nice alternative scenery and IMHO would not be a deterrent to this route. VaderStrom's suggestion to day trip farther east is a good one. The river to Alice is a nice paddle, watch for rocks.

With your time frame, if you don't want to push too hard and also want some privacy, I would consider taking the numbers to Hudson and then heading north and looping through Fire, Bridge and Rifle lakes. As has been said, it is less traveled. Another plus is that it didn't burn, and the smaller water is a joy to paddle. It really is quite beautiful along this route.

Great information, many thanks. We'll be going from Monday to Thursday near mid-August so still during the peak season (although not on a weekend). Really looking forward to the trip!!!

Also want to add, does anyone have an opinion on following the Kawishiwi to Bald Eagle Lake and going the other direction out of Lake One vs. paddling to Lake Insula? Looks like another option since our passes require us to launch from Lake One.

I have gone that way from the Lake One ep. The river is smaller water and there are some nice campsites along it as you near the Kawishiwi Triangle. We went to Gabbro and day tripped to Bald Eagle. I enjoyed it as much as the "pre-fire" Insula side. It can get just as crowded due to North/South Kawishiwi and Little Gabbro entry points.

I've gone both directions in past few years. Hard to say one is better. In bad weather, I'd rather go to the Gabbros. IIRC, there are two Lake One permits - one only allows you to go east?

Also, fwiw, my son and I made Insula early afternoon in bad weather. We're very efficient on portages but not otherwise fast.

Also sounds like you are after Scouts, do that will help.