Looking for tips on best route to get to Alice Lake. I was thinking of heading in from Kawishiwi, but doesn't look straight forward. Any pointers?

I've gone through Kawishiwi and also Snowbank or Lake 1,2,3,. The Kawishiwi route will take you through some marshes that have "alleys" cut through them by canoes. I assume there could also be a beaver dam or two. Most of this is early in the route off of Kawishiwi. This route will take you pretty close to Fishdance, which has some pictographs. I have heard that water levels are high which would make this route a bit easier.

Snowbank or Lakes 1,2,3 Insula etc.. are the other options. You could also do a loop by starting at Snowbank/Lake 1 and ending at Lake 1/Snowbank. You would need two cars, but the entries are not far apart.

The Kawishiwi route is a little tougher, but probably more interesting in terms of different types of paddling. The other routes are more straightforward. They will also cover some bigger lakes if you are worried about wind.

FYI, I am headed to Alice on Sept 10 and starting at Snowbank this time.

I'm curious as to what you define as "Best route to Alice"? Most scenic? Quickest? Easiest?

I would take Kawashiwi as it is a nice scenic route.

Quickest, most straight forward

quote sbeamond: "Quickest, most straight forward"

I think Kiwishiwi is the fastest. Lake One is the most straightforward (meaning mostly paddling and short portaging with no Beaver Dams or obstructions in streams).

The difference in time is a probably a few hours, so I would go the Kiwishiwi route if I had a choice, personally. Its about the journey and not the destination, right?

We just got back in, and the water levels going in through Kawishiwi are fabulous. One, small, portage on the way in is able to be paddled through due to high water (and beavers), and areas that have been muddy drags in past, low water years are smooth sailing this season. Only one beaver dam that we had to deal with, and that was no big issue. If you choose to go by the Kawishiwi route (I think I would in this case), this is definitely the year to do it. Also, the rapids emptying in to Malberg are beautiful right now and the walleye fishing just out from them should be killer.

The shortest may depend on whether you double or single portage . . .

If you double, they're all about the same, but lake One has the least portaging.

I'm totally oposite. My idea of best way is furthest away ep. Haha. Last time I went to Alice was Gunflint Lake. Haha. I always thought the fastest way was lake 1. But Kawishiwi would be a close 2nd if not as fast.

quote nctry: "I'm totally oposite. My idea of best way is furthest away ep. Haha. Last time I went to Alice was Gunflint Lake. Haha. I always thought the fastest way was lake 1. But Kawishiwi would be a close 2nd if not as fast. "

I agree with you Ben, Lake One and east!