Hi, BWCA Forum.

Traveling the MN/BWCA this June with four friends. We only have from Friday-Sunday (possibly Mon. morning but have flights out of MSP in the afternoon).

What routes or itineraries would you recommend? I'd like to get planning this this weekend so I can get permits and rentals lined up.

Thanks

Hmm, given the limited time, the unknowns, and the fact you have to catch a flight Monday afternoon, I'd suggest an out-and-back trip rather than a loop route, which would require that you have a good knowledge of traveling in the BW (but it's your first time); definitely not a point-to-point with the same problem plus the additional one of arranging shuttle. Travel in a day, then you'll at least know you get out in a day. Layover over there for a day unless weather forecast dictates you should be starting back - you won't be able to paddle open water in a thunderstorm with lightning.

Ely will be closest to MSP, so I'd suggest that area - maybe a trip in EP #23, Mudro or one in EP #16, Moose River north, or EP #14, Little Indian Sioux River North. Moose Lake might also be good for you (I have no experience there, but others who do will chime in), maybe with a tow.

I agree with Boonie, #23 to maybe Fourtown or Boot. You could day trip in to Fairy and Gun from Boot on day 2 but be ready to leave from either Boot or Fourtown with plenty of time. The portages in to Fourtown are a bit challenging. You could also do a Mudro, Fourtown, Horse, Tin Can Mike, Sandpit Mudro (or the reverse) Loop in that time.

EP16 isn't as scenic and is an in and out but would be easier on the portaging. Ely is neat if you've never been there. Moose lake is too busy and you will have motor boats to contend with.

This

I don't know your experience, expectations, goals, or abilities. Will you be flying in on Thursday and able to enter early morning Friday?

My thoughts on EP #23 were like mgraber's - get to Fourtown, maybe a little farther and assess how things are going for you. Not the hardest, not the easiest. Depending on your abilities, you could conceivably do a loop up through Gun, Moosecamp, and down the Moosecamp River to Fourtown and back out in 3 days. You'll need to be prepared to deal with some beaver dams on the river.

TB's suggestion of EP #64, East Bearskin is good if you can take the extra time to drive out the Gunflint Trail. The drive up the North Shore is also very scenic. The portaging is definitely easier assuming you don't portage from Canoe to Pine! How much of an issue portaging might be for you, I don't know.

I think I would take a different approach. If this is your first trip or it will be a long time until you get back, I would take the extra time to travel the North Shore. The chance to catch the views of the Lake Superior and maybe take in Grand Marais for an evening is worth a few hours in the BW.

The Cherokee Loop out of Sawbill Lake (Entry 28) can be done in 3 days, gives you a taste of all the various types of paddling (lake & river). Portages are not excessive. Lakes are iconic. Fishing is varied and good. Better than average chance of seeing moose. (Sawbill Outfitters is the outfitter at the entry point) . Stay at Sawbill Campground. Or go in & out to Cherokee Lake and take a day to visit Frost Lake on a day trip. Again, you will travel river and lake. Cherokee is a destination lake so you not likely be alone, but the scenery is well worth it.

Lizz Lake (Entry 47) about half way up the Gunflint offers several easy routes that create a nice BWCA experience. Very good chance to see moose (Horseshoe Lake). Easier portages. This is a busy entry and you will experience more people here. An in & out or loop to Winchell Lake is a nice 3 day route. Rockwood Lodge and Outfitter is the closest outfitter on Poplar Lake.

Hope you have a great trip.

I'm guessing since you are flying that you need to outfit at least canoes, if not more, and could benefit from an outfitter. I'd pick one in Ely area that has a lake base you can enter from - like any of them on Moose Lake (Canoe Country being my favorite), or IIRC Snowbank, Lake One, and Farm. Not trying to slight anyone, there could be others.

Go straight to outfitter, and if not too late, load up and shove off. Same on reverse, land, unload, shower, load car, and go. I'd probably cone out late Sunday. If you do use CCO and their Moose base you can stay inexpensively at their motel in Ely Sunday night. Play it by ear and weather report. I've been through Moose (several times), Snowbank, and Farm on returns in whitecaps and doable. (Maybe not fun, but there was some satisfaction when we made it each time!)

Right now, drive from Moose Lake Road where outfitters are to MSP is 4 1/2 to 5 hour drive. Figure you would want to be pulling out 6 1/2 hours before flight - me more - maybe worth the morning exit - when its usually calmer.

First time - work with an outfitter. I think they would all give good guidance and have experience with your situation and needs.

Three come to mind. First, Hegman Lake to basecamp. The pictographs are pretty cool. Second would be Gunflint Lake to Southlake to Duncan Lake to Bearskin and out. My third choice would be Pine Lake to go see Johnson Falls.

Tony

Snowbank-Parent-Disappointment and back might work too. I did a loop of this route and continued heading north out of Disappointment through the series of small lakes and turned west just short of Jordan and came out Boot. The only downsides to this route are that there are several portages stacked closely together and wind could be a factor when you get back to Snowbank trying to paddle down the dock and your take-out.

One of my early trips was a Moose lake entry with a couple short portages into Ensign. Many campsites once you get there. Plenty of options for day trips once there. Only a few hours paddle in or out. Cattyman falls is an easy paddle. Paddle early in the day for calm water. Several outfitters in the area. With a short turnaround it is difficult to find a lot of seclusion. Especially mid June. That will give you a taste.

Moose River South, entry # 8. Dead end route to Big Moose Lake. Two easy portage’s, scenic winding river, good fishing and some nice campsites . Get to the entry point early am and you could have camp set up by lunch.

walllee: "Moose River South, entry # 8. Dead end route to Big Moose Lake. Two easy portage’s, scenic winding river, good fishing and some nice campsites . Get to the entry point early am and you could have camp set up by lunch."

What wallee suggested. Nice paddle and decent fishing.

HighnDry: "Snowbank-Parent-Disappointment and back might work too. I did a loop of this route and continued heading north out of Disappointment through the series of small lakes and turned west just short of Jordan and came out Boot. The only downsides to this route are that there are several portages stacked closely together and wind could be a factor when you get back to Snowbank trying to paddle down the dock and your take-out."

+1

This is an area I like. Disappointment is popular and scenic, fun to paddle. Jordan is really cool to see, especially going to where ima and jordan meet. Boot has been the best lake for fishing in my experience. Abinodji was a nice lake to stay at, decent campsite and the whole lake to yourself. The area is very easy and is flexible if your plans change on the fly with one exception. The only big downside to the area in my opinion is that snowbank can be a beast to paddle on a windy day.

HighnDry: "Snowbank-Parent-Disappointment and back might work too. I did a loop of this route and continued heading north out of Disappointment through the series of small lakes and turned west just short of Jordan and came out Boot. The only downsides to this route are that there are several portages stacked closely together and wind could be a factor when you get back to Snowbank trying to paddle down the dock and your take-out."

-1 I would advise to not paddle on big water your first time to the BWCA. This is just my personal opinion going with BWCA newbies in the past.

Select a one -per-day EP. This will mostly guarantee solitude and this is why (the solitude) you canoe BWCAW. Go in as far as you can first two days. Go back on day three/four. Do not expect to see everything. Every lake in the park is a gem. have minimalist approach with grand reward.
Good luck. You will not be disappointment.

With the limited timeframe you have, here's a trip that would get you into a pretty remote lake in a fairly short period of time with excellent fishing and good wildlife sighting possibilities. Sound good so far?

Permit #66 Crocodile River

Entry East Bearskin lake campground landing(unusual rule of the BWCA but it is correct) Must camp all nights on Crocodile Lake

Padle 35-40 minutes from the entry to a portage on the south shore of E Bearskin that leads to Crocodile Lake. The portage is a little over 100 rods and has some steep sections but overall not that bad. The best part is when you finish the portage you are at your destination! Put in on Crocodile lake and choose between 4 campsites
that vary from decent to nice. Aim for the second on the south shore if it is available. The 4th in the eastern end of the lake is also pretty nice.

Because it is a dead end lake, it does not receive that much traffic. It is a very pretty lake and an EXCELLENT walleye lake. There are a couple daytrip options if you are so inclined, including a jaunt down the Crocodile River and a portage up to the Veggie Lakes.

For the time and effort spent, it would be difficult to come up with a spot that offers better fishing, more solitude or better chances to see wildlife. Great spot.

let me know if you have any questions, I have been there a few times.

Here is a trip report from my first trip there:

Crocodile Lake

I'd keep it simple. Can't do much in that time frame and sounds like you will be on the clock both coming and going. I'd go to Sawbill and camp mid or north end. Layover day I'd go to Burnt for fishing day trip. Last day enjoy my base on Sawbill and get ready to leave. No portages to hang you up for time constraints.....just paddle back to dock, pack up and hit the road. You'll get your taste and come back for more sometime.

cowdoc: "I'd keep it simple. Can't do much in that time frame and sounds like you will be on the clock both coming and going. I'd go to Sawbill and camp mid or north end. Layover day I'd go to Burnt for fishing day trip. Last day enjoy my base on Sawbill and get ready to leave. No portages to hang you up for time constraints.....just paddle back to dock, pack up and hit the road. You'll get your taste and come back for more sometime."

+1

Don't know your circumstances, but I'd do everything I could to extend that trip another day or two if you can.

Our first trip we flew into Duluth from Cleveland. We had a 3 day trip, and on the last day had some 30 MPH headwinds for our last 5--6 mile paddle, causing us to be late getting back to the outfitters, and missing our flight out of Duluth, delaying us until the next day. Not a huge catastrophe, but not planned for. An extra day or two also minimizes the chances of being stuck in camp due to wind/rain/weather the entire trip.

Since then, I try to leave some flexibility in our schedule, and just take things as they go. Also, once you get into the wilderness, you'll wish you'd have spent more time.

Now, we drive, about 16 hours each way. With all the planning, prep work, gear we've purchased, etc., we spend a minimum of 6 nights camping to make it worth our while.