BWCA Entry Point for my son's first BWCA Trip! Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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kpdoyle
member (45)member
  
02/12/2018 09:09PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I am pretty excited to bring my oldest son (who will turn 4 this November) to the BWCA this Summer/Fall. I have been in MN for 7 years now and have been going to the BWCA ever since I moved here. I want my boys to love canoe country as much as I do. I am trying to figure out the best entry point and weekend to take him.

So here is what I am thinking... as far as the specific weekend goes, I know things can vary. But being that he will only be 4 years old, I think he will struggle with bugs so I am assuming early September is best, but I also know he would love to go swimming, so maybe late august? Curious to hear what you guys think.

As far as entry point. I am thinking one, maybe two portages MAX considering the gear I will need to bring (and carry myself) to make sure my little guy is comfortable. Would the Lake 1 entry point near Ely be best? I have only entered the BWCA through the Ely side... is there an easy route on the Gun Flint side that would be more accommodating to young newcomers?

I love fishing, but would gladly not catch a thing if it meant he and I could enjoy our time together... so fishing isn't as important... although it would be fun to see him catch a fish or two, even if its only a little smallie or two.

I know people on this forum will have the answers! thanks in advance!
 
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andym
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02/12/2018 09:41PM  
Kids are pretty good with cold water and we, as adults, usually swim in early to mid-September. Probably more of a question whether you feel like swimming then.

And I agree that Lake One EP will work well. It could be either out to the Lake One or down the river, although that does mean more portages. We're probably doing one of those this summer with a 7 year old and a 4 year old.
02/13/2018 06:53AM  
My 2 loved hiking through the woods when they were that age. Get him a head net and spray with a good insect repellent and he will be good to go that time of year.
02/13/2018 07:35AM  
kpdoyle,

My wife and I took a shuttle from crane lake to a loon lake campsite this past June. It is in a motorized zone but it just didn't seem like a big deal during our stay. I like this area for young kids as well for if somthing were to happen help is just a bit easier to reach and you can always decide to push on somewhere more secluded. We exited through EP14 the Devils Cascade portage is rough going south but after that it's a nice trip exiting. Could also arrange a pickup via motorboat. We used Anderson's Outfitters. I took my 7 year old this past fall and the most enjoyable campsite we had had a low angled entry to the water curiosity of a sand beach. If you know of such sites where you are going it gives a bit more piece of mind that the slipping and falling by youngsters is mitigated. You can use the maps feature of this website and look for campsites with such feature..most of the time beaches are noted in these comments. I learned to slow down and indulge their curiosity...i gave my son a go pro to carry around and they see things that we adults hurry by in our efforts to get the portage done. lots of photos of mushrooms, leaves, bugs bones and so on:) Make the trip about your 4 year old and thank you for introducing them to the BWCA.
bposteve
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02/13/2018 08:18AM  
Bugs usually mellow out by mid July. I'd say aim for late July/early August. Fewer bugs, warm days, good swimming, and plenty of blueberries and raspberries too. Have fun!
02/14/2018 09:02AM  
Homer Lake EP into Pipe Lake. Short distance for wonderful seclusion and fishing. I am speaking fro experience taking young children there.
Unique dead end lake with full sense of wilderness. Raspberry Island on east Pipe.

02/14/2018 09:28AM  
bposteve: "Bugs usually mellow out by mid July. I'd say aim for late July/early August. Fewer bugs, warm days, good swimming, and plenty of blueberries and raspberries too. Have fun!"


+1 My last two trips have been third week of July and last week of July extending into August, with no bug problems, and water was warm enough to swim. And blueberry hunting is perfect a 4 year old.
02/14/2018 01:42PM  
kpdoyle: "
As far as entry point. I am thinking one, maybe two portages MAX considering the gear I will need to bring (and carry myself) to make sure my little guy is comfortable. Would the Lake 1 entry point near Ely be best? I have only entered the BWCA through the Ely side... is there an easy route on the Gun Flint side that would be more accommodating to young newcomers?

"


kpdoyle, What an exciting adventure! If you don't want to do any portaging, Kawishiwi Lake EP #37. There is a campground and parking lot at the Entry Point so you can paddle to a campsite on Kawishiwi or Square Lakes without any portaging.

paddlinjoe
02/14/2018 08:11PM  
KP, awesome that you want to bring your son up there and foster the love of the BWCA, There are some great suggestions here and I will throw out a couple more...
I have been to the BWCA and Quetico on some 40ish trips over the years. Our trips have changed a lot as i am into my 60s and don't have the willingness to work as hard or withstand inclement conditions that I used to. In my opinion a 4 year old would have the most trouble with big lakes/windy conditions, cold weather and lots of bugs. We have gone in somewhere around the second week of August a few times in the last several years and for my money, it is perhaps the most user friendly time to go. The weather is still warm for the most part and the water is at perhaps its warmest temps of the year, great for swimming. There can still be a few bugs around and every year varies somewhat but we have gone at least a couple years in that timeframe and haven't had the need to even put on repellent at all. Fishing may not be at its greatest but there are certainly fish to be caught then, if that matters. The most turbulent and violent weather spawned by the heat of July is mostly over, but not saying you won't get a good thunderstorm or two.

It is really a great time to go with perhaps only one disadvantage - it is a busy and popular time for all the reasons I have mentioned. But if seeing a few other parties a day doesn't bother you, look for an out of the way campsite on your lake and you will find that the most important hours of the day, early morning and evening while you are in camp are pretty private and quiet.

As a bonus, you may well stumble into nice patches of ripe raspberries and blueberries along the way or in camp. A great addition to camp breakfasts.

As far as route, there are just so many options. I would want to expose him to portaging right off the bat so he knows what it is all about. But I would make that portage or portages very manageable for him. One thought would be to use the Slim lake entry point and camp there. There is a mid range portage from the parking lot to get to Slim lake but it appears to be a wide and flat path that will be easy to navigate. 3 campsites on Slim and they all sound pretty decent. Fish to be had and daytrips to take if so inclined. Honestly, I have not been there but it is on my radar for the reasons mentioned.

Lake One is always an option but so many people go there that seclusion might be difficult to find. Baker Lake entry is a great place to go in. A couple easy portages that might not even be necessary depending on water levels and you go on to Kelly or Jack lake to camp. Pretty area, good fishing and an area known for moose sightings. At the north end of the Kelly to Jack portage there is a short trail to an old abandoned gold mine that you can go into. Kinda cool.

Or get a permit for entry point 66 Crocodile River but put in at East Bearskin Lake and paddle 35 minutes to the portage into Crocodile Lake. This is about a 100 rod portage and is steep at first but levels off somewhat. it is a somewhat challenging portage but at the end you are at your destination. Several decent campsites, very remote because it is a dead end lake but yet within a couple hours of the car, absolutely easy and great walleye fishing and good wildlife possibilities.

East Bearskin into Alder would also be a good route. Camp on Alder or go on to the next couple lakes if you desire. Spend half a day taking the long trail from Canoe Lake to Johnson Falls for a spot that your son would absolutely love, one of the prettiest in the BWCA.

Lots of options with minimal work to bring your son into the BWCA. You really can't go wrong in any area as long as you don't bite off more than he can chew. i would start easy and see how he reacts. One portage to get to camp would be good, or maybe a couple real short and easy ones so he understands the essence of the area, and there are lots of options that are easily doable with a 4 year old. Hope you have a great time and write a trip report - let us know where you went and how you did.
02/17/2018 01:30PM  
Little Gabbro Lake EP. It is one easy walk through the woods and you are on Gabbro Lake, which is a nice lake with islands, beaches and a slew of premo campsites. It is popular because of all of the above, but if you can snag a permit now you won’t regret it. Give the lad a small pack and he will love the easy portage in. This is a very nice intro area. There are sweet day trip lakes off of Bald Eagle Lake. Turtle and Gull Lakes. Next year take the Snake River EP into Bald Eagle. The kid will love it. It worked great for me and my son. Good luck on your choice. Have fun.
billconner
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02/17/2018 03:07PM  
scat: "Little Gabbro Lake EP. It is one easy walk through the woods and you are on Gabbro Lake, which is a nice lake with islands, beaches and a slew of premo campsites. It is popular because of all of the above, but if you can snag a permit now you won’t regret it. Give the lad a small pack and he will love the easy portage in. This is a very nice intro area. There are sweet day trip lakes off of Bald Eagle Lake. Turtle and Gull Lakes. Next year take the Snake River EP into Bald Eagle. The kid will love it. It worked great for me and my son. Good luck on your choice. Have fun."


+1
kpdoyle
member (45)member
  
02/17/2018 08:55PM  
Wow, I really appreciate all feedback. I will most certainly write about my trip. keep an eye out for a 3 year old named Linus who likes to ask strangers what their favorite color is :-)
02/19/2018 01:04PM  
I would recommend Sawbill EP and heading to the Fire chain. Mostly paddling with short portages. It works for exposure to the BWCA and has decent walleye fishing. There is a campground at Sawbill too. This is where I plan on taking my son when he is old enough. He just turned 3, but doesn't listen very well. Maybe daycare will help with that.
02/20/2018 07:34AM  
Last year I took my 10 year old daughter on her first trip to the BWCA. We took EP50 and camped on Cross Bay Lake. Only 3 portages in totaling about 120 rods. We went in August and water temps were good for swimming. Only 2 campsites on the lake and we saw very little traffic on the way through. I caught some walleye and pike in the lake. There's a couple of falls on the lake. One to the southeast of the southern campsite and one to the west of the lake. Plenty to explore.
 
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