My son (12 years old) and I have a few trips under our belt, all of them off the Gunflint Trail, and enjoyed them all.

Since it's about 0 degrees in Ohio right now, we're in process of planning our 2018 trip, and considering new entry points.

I've read the Eastern BWCA is a little more "hilly", and we've been through some burn areas on the Gunflint side, and for us Ely cuts about 90 minutes off of our drive, but other than that, what are the differences?

In general, what are the pros/cons of Ely (west) vs. Gunflint, (east)?

Thanks.

The first thing different that comes to mind is that 90 minute difference but also the ability to experience the north shore drive with its parks and waterfalls and other cool stuff. The BWCA has sub pockets of different vegetation with more or less lowland and bogs or rocky ridges with more of the rocky cliffs along the border and eastern area. There are crowded and more isolated lakes. All these options are accessible from either the Gunflint or Ely. In the beginning I had my favorites, but now enjoy exploring new places more. I have found that while each location will have its special feature, the park is filled with lots of such locations. Do not rule out the southern entry points such as Sawbill or farther west up the Little Indian Sioux or other adjoining routes. I can think of no bad places in the BWCA.

Little Indian Sioux North but mostly Moose river North - off of the Echo Trail are our favorites. Up to LLC and the pictographs and east to Curtain Falls!!

bhouse46: "The first thing different that comes to mind is that 90 minute difference but also the ability to experience the north shore drive with its parks and waterfalls and other cool stuff. The BWCA has sub pockets of different vegetation with more or less lowland and bogs or rocky ridges with more of the rocky cliffs along the border and eastern area. There are crowded and more isolated lakes. All these options are accessible from either the Gunflint or Ely. In the beginning I had my favorites, but now enjoy exploring new places more. I have found that while each location will have its special feature, the park is filled with lots of such locations. Do not rule out the southern entry points such as Sawbill or farther west up the Little Indian Sioux or other adjoining routes. I can think of no bad places in the BWCA."

+1
All is good!

I think time of year would influence me and fishing type desire?

We love to fish, pretty much every species, with the exception we don't really fish for lakers. We also like catching our lunches or dinners.

Because of work/school, etc., we're pretty much limited to July/August dates, we're usually going last week of July or first week of August.

I think out of Ely would be in order just for a change of pace. Plus, it's a nice town for you and your son to check out pre and post trip. Ever had breakfast at Brittons?

As for route I think Moose Lake east into Knife then loop back south would be a fine trip. Or up the Echo Trail. Lots of good entries with loops and fishing. Mudro, Moose river, and Little Indian Sioux are all great stuff.

Picking up the Robert Beymer books is how I learned about routes when I first started. Here's the latest edition of the western area of the BW. You can page through the book there a bit and see all the trip ideas with entry points.

Robert Beymer Western Region

My sons and I spent our first 8-10 years tripping in the Sawbill area. It is a beautiful area, but I, like you, soon wanted to find other areas to explore. (I was trying to add to my lakes visited list.) . So we branched out to the Gunflint side first. We have been to Seagull and Lizz Lake entries. I then thought it was time to visit the Western side of the BW. We left out of Ely and the did the LIS North.

The one thing that struck me about both the Gunflint and the LIS North sections was the noise. And by noise, I mean the engines on the boats, float planes, trucks, etc. E.g. I was sitting in my campsite on Horseshoe Lake on a beautiful calm morning in June. And all of a sudden it occurred to me that I was hearing the beep, beep, beep of a back-up warning alarm on some vehicle out on the Gunflint. Shortly after, we could hear the sound of a diesel truck as its engine roared while climbing through all of its gears getting up to speed. Out of Seagull Lake we were camped on Alpine for a couple of nights and we were serenaded at dawn by the sounds of boat motors out on Seagull/Saganaga Lakes. Over by LIS North, we worked our way through the inside route of smaller lakes south of LLC. We were camped on Finger Lake and then on North/South Lake. We were again greeted at dawn by boat motors from Canadian side of LLC as well as the sound of motors on float planes as they took off and landed.

I know that we live in a modern world where the intrusion of sounds like these are an every day occurrence. The FS uses a float plane to patrol the BW. The throaty growl of the DeHaviland is instantly recognizable and almost welcome at times. There are commercial and military flights that bring some jet sound to the BW at all hours of day or night. And yes, I do understand that all the sounds mean that commerce is taking place and that is important, too. But these constant sounds of "civilization" can destroy the "suspension of disbelief" that we strive for of being somehow far removed from that world and deep in a wilderness.

Will I return to those areas: yes. I enjoyed our time there and they have wonderful experiences to offer. I will just hope to encounter fewer of those "distractions".

In the mean time, if you are looking for a little more "quiet" experience, I recommend the south central area of BW around Sawbill Lake. (Kawishiwi Lake, Sawbill Lake, and Baker Lake entrances.)

Ely side seems like more the water is a little more tan. Little better fishing overall, less hilly. All my opinion. I've done more trips from Ely than gunflint or Tofte and those are reasons why. Again, very general but things I've noticed.

cyclones30: "Ely side seems like more the water is a little more tan. Little better fishing overall, less hilly. All my opinion. I've done more trips from Ely than gunflint or Tofte and those are reasons why. Again, very general but things I've noticed. "

Your correct,more bog stained or tannic acid color. More walleye and northern pike water. Like I mentioned earlier Gunflint is big on lake trout and more and bigger hills and rocks.
Gunflint to me has always been a fairly quite area. Both sides it depends where you go. I like both sides and it depends on time of year where I go.

You need to do both sides. Or start on one side and end up on the other. That's what I like.

nctry: "You need to do both sides. Or start on one side and end up on the other. That's what I like."

Agree each has something to offer just a little different.

Or if you are in to more solitude, try a Quetico trip. Less people, less nervousness about finding a camp site, etc. But the fishing sucks, so maybe you shouldn't go that route. ;)

nctry: "You need to do both sides. Or start on one side and end up on the other. That's what I like."

+1 - great idea - Border Route - In at Crane out at Little John

Been tripping out the eastern end of BWCA since 2007. Thought I'd give Ely end a go last September. A solo out of #22 Mudro (no Horse Lake) and paddled a clockwise loop to Moosecamp, down Moosecamp river to Fourtown. Despite the first ankle-breaker portage Mudro to Fourtown, it was a great trip. To me, it was just as fulfilling as terrains of the east end of BWCA. There were no 'cons', in my opinion. Everyone was amiable and helpful in Ely as were the fellow trippers on portages. (not too many, I'll add) Here are some 'Pros': Visited the International Wolf Center on days following my exit and picked up some clothing bargains at the Piragis outlet store, too. The huge double burger + 2 huge malts at Dairy Queen on exit day was superb! ;-)