By the time most of you read this I will have entered my 7th decade. I have the usual creaky back and knees, the result of an active live, including 23 years in the Army. I also have a well-controlled case of A-fib. I have made 4 previous B-dub trips, the last in 2015, always solo. I would have made more, but it's a long drive from New Hampshire, and I only retired 6 years ago ( from my second career, not from the Army).
I am planning a trip for this summer, and searching for routes to take. The main requirement is relatively short portages. I plan to base camp and do day trips, lots of time fishing. I would not rule out a circular route with a new campsite every night. That hammock sets up quick. I have a Prism ultra-lite and all the other gear necessary.
So far I have EP38, Sawbill-Alton-Kelso, and EP 22-23 for the Mudro chain. Any other suggestions for similar routes or comments would be welcomed.
Thanks,
Joe

Enter #47 Lizz from Poplar and go into Caribou, Horseshoe, Allen, Pillsbery, Henson, Omega, Winchell, Gaskin, Horshoe, Lizz and Poplar. If you go in that order the wind won't be too bad on Winchell.

Enter #50 Cross Bay Lake and head down through Ham, Cross Bay, Rib, Lower Geaorge, Karl, and into Long Island Lake. I would even go as far as going into Gordon and on to Cherokee. Not a loop but a nice area with no big water and short easy portages.

Another option in the Sawbill area is to go in at Baker Lake (EP 39). A few short portages will get you to the upper end of Jack. It's pretty country with some good fishing in the lakes and in the Temperance River. You could then day trip further north into South Temperance which also has some good fishing. There are only 3 permits per day for EP 39, so you don't want to wait too long to reserve a permit.

Kawishiwi Triangle-very easy and doable and side trip to Little Gabro area if you want. Lot depends on your crowd tolerance. Also really lake one to Alice area the portages are not that bad.
So many options available.

In Moose Lake, east along the border, circle back south through Amoeber, Cherry and Topaz back to South Arm Knife and back to Moose.

Coincidentally, before reading the replies.............. Lizz, Baker, Kawishiwi Triangle, and Cross Bay were the first 4 that popped in my head.

Lizz is the area that I've repeated the most. Cool skinny lakes, pretty easy portages, options to go in several different directions, and Horseshoe has been called the Moose Highway.

My older daughter at age 9 and I did Baker to Jack and saw a lot of moose and had great walleye fishing on Jack.

Cross Bay and Kawishiwi Triangle are also areas that I've enjoyed that are small water and easy portaging.

I have not been to the Moose area so I can't compare that trip.

Does anyone out there know if the Vern River can be paddled all the way to Wierd Lake? Only one narrow spot, and there is no portage shown there. That has either adventure or mosquito hell written all over it.
Thanks
Joe

In Exploring the Boundary Waters by Daniel Pauley, the author, says that it (Weird Lake to Vern Lake) is probably possible but would be very difficult. He says "This area is all but impassable".

Your post and responses have been a great help to me. My age and questions pretty much mirror your post except for the fishing. Planning a 10 day solo trip in September. These responses will help.

Talk to the Proms at Voyager Outfitters at the end of the Trail...do what I did and rent a Prism, get the tow through Saganaga to Red Rock,base camp for a few days, good bass, Alpine is next, then easy portage to Sea Gull, stay on the north shore and run down the river back to Voyagers...nice little multiday trip, easy portages, no horrific open water...no guarantees though you understand...

What outfitter would one use for that trip?

I have decided on a route. I will enter at EP 40 and do Pipe, Vern and Juno. Small lakes, short portages and good fishing. Backup will be EP 41, and either drop down into Juno or basecamp in the west end of Brule and make trips into the Temperance lakes.
By the way, my "math" was wrong. I turned 70 a couple of days ago, that makes it my 8th decade. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Joe

That's a good choice. The first thought I had was heading in at Homer and over to Vern. A lot of fishing options. Have a great time!

Pinetree: "Kawishiwi Triangle-very easy and doable and side trip to Little Gabro area if you want. Lot depends on your crowd tolerance. Also really lake one to Alice area the portages are not that bad.
So many options available."

i did this a couple years ago from farm lake, it was a very nice trip, quiet, did not see hardly anyone, very scenic. would do it again.

joe47: " I have decided on a route. I will enter at EP 40 and do Pipe, Vern and Juno. Small lakes, short portages and good fishing. Backup will be EP 41, and either drop down into Juno or basecamp in the west end of Brule and make trips into the Temperance lakes.
By the way, my "math" was wrong. I turned 70 a couple of days ago, that makes it my 8th decade. Thanks for all the suggestions.


Joe "

Sounds like a good plan. That's actually at the top of my list for my annual daddy/daughter trip this year. Please come back and let us know how the trip goes.

joe47: " Does anyone out there know if the Vern River can be paddled all the way to Wierd Lake? Only one narrow spot, and there is no portage shown there. That has either adventure or mosquito hell written all over it.
Thanks
Joe"

Over the years there has been a few questions on the Vern River. It seems a few have tried but I've yet to read that anyone succeeded. Half way seems to be the trend and then it gets narrow, filled with boulders and a lot of down lumber. Possible yes......as a bushwack......not a neat little creek paddle.

cowdoc: "

joe47: " Does anyone out there know if the Vern River can be paddled all the way to Wierd Lake? Only one narrow spot, and there is no portage shown there. That has either adventure or mosquito hell written all over it.
Thanks
Joe"

Over the years there has been a few questions on the Vern River. It seems a few have tried but I've yet to read that anyone succeeded. Half way seems to be the trend and then it gets narrow, filled with boulders and a lot of down lumber. Possible yes......as a bushwack......not a neat little creek paddle."

We tried it last year. We got halfway and then turned back.

joe47: " Does anyone out there know if the Vern River can be paddled all the way to Wierd Lake? Only one narrow spot, and there is no portage shown there. That has either adventure or mosquito hell written all over it.
Thanks
Joe"

We didn't see any mosquitoes.

I did the Vern complete downstream from Vern to Wierd lake before the blow down. You have to really want to do it and comit to it or you will turn back. you will have to work very hard and you wil carry or drag your canoe quite a bit.