We are thinking about taking our groups in this year the last week of September, on Seagull and Alpine.

Last year we went second week of September. The portage into Alpine was like a highway and groups racing through to get the last camp sites on Alpine. We had two groups last year. We found only one available site left on all of Alpine due to the number of paddlers. On top of that the mosquitoes were still out.

Looking to get away from those kind of crowds and bugs. Wondering what the temps, fishing, and fall colors are like that last week of September off Seagull an Alpine.

Thanks!

That week, and the first week of October is by far my favorite time of year in canoe country. Colors are “usually” outstanding, bugs minimal, and temperatures are “usually” delightful. That being said some years it’s been 80 degrees, some years it’s been 20 degrees or lower with snow. The area is busy with people traveling to see the fall colors, so lodging is at a premium. Be sure to reserve lodging way in advance . The boundary waters does not have the crowds that time of year compared to the busy times before Labor Day, but you will encounter people for sure. Pick your entry point wisely, do a little portaging and you will definitely be able to find some solitude. Fishing is phenomenal that time of year, and gets better through October. Have fun!!!

I can't say I have seen "highway" like traffic in mid-september. I haven't been on alpine then either. I would be surprised if that were normal. That being said later should be better for both solitude and for bugs.

We arrived at the portage on the south end of Seagull into Alpine. 3 canoes were all ready there. Three canoes with two guys each were on the portage going into Alpine, and two canoes with two guys each were coming north from Alpine to Seagull. Canoes were pushing off fast into Alpine as word was on the portage that most sites were taken. One of our groups got the last site not far from the portage. The other group paddled most of the camp sites in Alpine and found none available. Getting near dark, they portaged back into Seagull. We knew something was up when we got to Seagull Outfitters and the parking lot for the bunkhouses was completely full. Second week of September.

We went the 3rd week of September this past year. We went in on Saturday via EP#47. We met 3 groups coming out on the first 2 portages. There was nobody camping on Caribou, 1 party camping on Horseshoe, and 3 parties on Gaskin including ourselves. On Sunday the other 2 parties left Gaskin and we had the Lake to ourselves until we left on Wednesday. The group was still on Horseshoe and still nobody on Caribou. We didn't run across anyone on the way out.

It may or may not be fairly busy then, depending on the weather and whether you enter on a weekend or weekday. It's usually not as busy during the week and more than a day beyond the EP.

boonie: "It may or may not be fairly busy then, depending on the weather and whether you enter on a weekend or weekday. It's usually not as busy during the week and more than a day beyond the EP. "

+1......Fall is about weather and weekends. If the forecast is for great weekend weather, permits get snagged and many people go in one lake for the weekend. It pays to watch the forecast and permit board and be ready to portage a couple lakes in to find solitude. The entry point crowds thin out on Monday also so weekday entries can help. I've seen it happen into October.

cowdoc: "

boonie: "It may or may not be fairly busy then, depending on the weather and whether you enter on a weekend or weekday. It's usually not as busy during the week and more than a day beyond the EP. "

+1......Fall is about weather and weekends. If the forecast is for great weekend weather, permits get snagged and many people go in one lake for the weekend. It pays to watch the forecast and permit board and be ready to portage a couple lakes in to find solitude. The entry point crowds thin out on Monday also so weekday entries can help. I've seen it happen into October. "

+2..... I've done a few late Sept./Early Oct. trips. Nice weather and the weekend is busy close to entry points. Get away from the e.p. and it thins out fast. The crowds disperse on Sunday. One year the forecast was sunny and 70 so Sawbill parking lot was almost full, the next year it was 30's and there were only a handful of cars in the lot.

Went 2nd week of October before. Base camped in entry lake-Nobody on our lake and didn't see anyone for a few days. Weather was 40-50 but chilly at night.no bugs. Leaves little past peak. Awesome time to be up there.

Haven't been in September for a few years, but the bulk of my trips have been September on the Gunflint including 3 September trips in the Alpine, Jasper, Ogish area. We usually would leave and return mid week and never had a problem with crowds? I remember one year only seeing a couple canoes in 3 days staying at the campsite at the narrows of Jasper near the falls and portage down to Alpine. Maybe try to enter and exit mid weeK?

That's an awesome time to go, but the variance in weather can make it remarkably pleasant or quite miserable. If the weather is nice and you're there on a weekend, it'll probably be busy.

That is my favorite time also. It is the final week of Laker fishing also.
I have never had a problem getting a permit, and the crowds are way down.
You can get all kinds of weather then too. I took my boys on a trip to Mountain Lake on the second week of Sept, a few years back....we were greeted with stiff winds, and snow squalls the first day. The next 3 days it was Sunny and in the 60's.

If I could only ever go at one time of the year, that would be when.

In 2012 I entered Mudro Saturday, October 6 and exited South Hegman Saturday, October 13. Saw two groups Sunday morning the 7th and one canoe Friday evening the 12th. Had the rest of the trip to myself in typically busy areas around Mudro, Lower Basswood Falls, etc. In other words, weekends had some traffic but during the week was pure solitude.

Weather was highs in the 40's most days and lows down into the teens two nights. Snow showers of some sort most every day.

Very enjoyable time and trip if you are prepared for the potential weather. The only thing that was kind of weird was how quiet it was. No bugs, frogs, loons, etc. Just the wind in the trees. That made it a little creepy but maybe that was because it was my first solo. :-)

I love tripping in late September and frequently go in as late as 3rd weekend in October sometimes Ely, sometimes Gunflint, sometimes Sawbill area.

Bugs are mostly gone. I will say that the colors seem to be past their peak when I go in late Sept/Oct. As far as crowds, I am usually only in for short trips so I stay close to the EP and daytrip. I often have snagged the very last camp spot on Lake One or Caribou when entering on the weekends.

I rarely see anyone but the most hardy during the fall trips that I take. The lakes generally empty out and fall colors, as others have mentioned are well worth the effort. I had Iron Lake all to myself for 3 days last late September. Fall trips recharge the soul.

We like solitude and don't mind cool/cold weather so generally go in mid October or later. Often have a little snow and a few below freezing nights. Being retirees we always go during the week. It surprises me how many people we encounter on weekends that late in the season.