My teenage son and I have taken a trip to the BWCA the last two years. First year, we went in at EP 16 and out EP 14. This year, in at EP 16, up to Ge-be-on-a quet and back out EP 16. Looking for different EP. Would like to avoid long portages. Six day trip with two or three travel days. Looking at mid-August.

This forum has been great for info. Thanks for any input.

You picked some good ones the past few years. You could do Mudro to Fourtown, boot, fairy, gun, bear trap etc. Moosecamp is cool too. No real terrible portages. Horse and fourtown are busy at times but the farther you get the better.

Man, you leave a lot on the table, and without a bit more info about what specifically you're looking for, it's tough to narrow it down.

A little more info would be helpful:

What is your limit on "long" portages?

West side (Ely area)? South Central (Sawbill area)? East Side (Up the Gunflint Trail)?

On the Gunflint I would recommend Entry 47 - Lizz Lake. Head to Horseshoe or Vista Lake then to Winchell Lake. After that head back to Gaskin Lake.

The Sawbill (Entry 38) area routes have some longer portages. You could head east to Burnt Lake. Then come back through Sawbill to Alton or Beth Lake. The north end of Kelso Lake can get you out of the busiest areas also.

Another route with low portaging is Entry 36 (Hog Creek to Perent Lake). You could day trip west on the Perent River but there isn't much else for a route.

Probably looking at going out of Ely again but am open. The main focus is just spending time with my son we do fish but that isnt the main focus. Any thing over 150 rods starts to feel long.

That helps. I still like the Entry 47 suggestion. Lizz Lake is a pretty and popular section of the BW so get your permit early in the spring. There are good fishing options. There is a better than average chance of seeing moose. The cliffs on Winchell Lake are climbable. I have a picture from the top of those cliffs as my screen background now.

Another option off the Gunflint would be Entry 50 (Cross Bay Lake). You could head to Snipe Lake (just west of Cross Bay) for one night. Then head south to Long Island Lake for another. There is a nice site on Karl Lake if the wind is to heavy to get out on Long Island when you arrive.

If you go this way, you should not miss the opportunity to visit Frost Lake. Golden sand beaches, some good northern fishing and a better than average chance of seeing a moose are all features of this lake.

Hope you have a nice trip!