We are planning a mid-October strike to the BWCA coming from Ely. I'm looking at Entry Point 30 and heading down into the numbered lakes for a 3-4 day relaxing trip. We would ideally canoe in pretty deep the first day, set up a base camp and take day strikes from there. Does this seem like a good route? We are interested in scenery and solitude, which I assume isn't a problem that time of year.

You'll have mellow portages so you can bring more than usual if you like. Just be ready for a 20-70 degree temperature range and get used to plenty of darkness. More than you think you'll use fire wood pile is your friend.

Ima is a reasonable destination lake but due to short daylight you will want to move along after an early start. Collecting firewood is more than a chore towards the end of season when easy pickings are gone. Watch for dead wood up off the shore as you check out camp sites.
Lots of options from Ima either heading north to Thomas or follow the river, watch for rocks, to Alice and then if you want on down to Fishdance to see the pictographs. Watch the weather and perhaps head back to Lake Two for the last night. That will give you an easy exit on your last day.

Bring axe or hatchet and saw to process wood, you might will need a fire to warm up. Also bring a lantern. It gets dark quickly at this time of year.

I believe bhouse may have meant Insula rather than Ima . . .

It's been 7 years since part of that area was impacted by the Pagami Creek Wildfire, if that might make a difference to you.

Correct, boonie. Insula.

In mid-October, you should be OK for crowds. No guarantees, though...If the weather forecast is nice, the easy-to-access lakes are busier than one might imagine. There are enough sites anywhere on the Number Chain to almost guarantee a site in mid-October, but if you truly want solitude (and the weather is very nice), you might be surprised by the number of people you see.

Make sure you don't work too hard going in. You have any trouble on your way out like strong west winds you could be finishing the trip in the dark or a day later. That time of year a weather radio isn't a bad thing to have.

Good advice. You will not have to push too hard to get away from people - there will not be many there that time of year. Insula has beach sites on the east side and good islands, north. For me, I would just stay on Lake 3 and day trip through 4 to Rifle or over to Hudson. Like the guys said - short days and could be cold temps. Watch the weather carefully!

If you can pickup the Winter 2017 edition of the Boundary Waters Journal as it has a review of all the campsites for the numbered lakes.