First of all, a big thanks to all of the regulars who post here, I have picked up a lot of good info on this site.

OK, now my question:

My daughter got to choose the route this year for our BWCA trip and she picked the Granite River Loop, starting on Gunflint Lake and ending at EP55. We are headed in on May 22. I do not remember seeing much boat traffic on Saganaga but I was last on this route in 1997 so my memory is a bit fuzzy. How much boat traffic can we expect, and has the motorized boat traffic negatively impacted YOUR BWCA Granite River loop experience. We are bringing a first timer and I want him to get the best experience. This is not a shot at those that overnight or daytrip with motorized boats.

Warm Regards,

Redishbeard

You will see and hear motor boats on the Seagull river out to the part where they stop going. It has really never been a problem for me. I grew up on a lake and now live on a lake so I’m used to them.

Nice of you to mention that you are not criticizing the people who choose to use a motor. Just think of it as they are part of your trip, not a determinant. On Saganaga, they can have up to a 25 hp motor and will be by you in a couple of minutes. On calm evenings you can hear them for a longer time. You should be able to reach the non mother area in 2-3 hours of paddling so no big deal.

Savage Voyageur: "You will see and hear motor boats on the Seagull river out to the part where they stop going. It has really never been a problem for me. I grew up on a lake and now live on a lake so I’m used to them.


Nice of you to mention that you are not criticizing the people who choose to use a motor. Just think of it as they are part of your trip, not a determinant. On Saganaga, they can have up to a 25 hp motor and will be by you in a couple of minutes. On calm evenings you can hear them for a longer time. You should be able to reach the non mother area in 2-3 hours of paddling so no big deal.
"

+1

We stayed on Horseshoe Island on Sag some years back. It's located at the northern terminus of the Granite River. There was boat traffic past our site but it was fun and reasurring for our kids to see that other people were on the lake. It was easy two hour paddle for us to get back to Voyageur outfitters for our take-out. That island site is very nice if you are looking for a good place to stay. The southern half of the island was burned over but the northern half has the nice site. Open space, tall red pines, good flat rock landing and fishing.

This is my stomping grounds, one of the boaters you might see is my 87 1/2 year old dad going out to fish for the day! There are plenty of bays and quieter areas to find a campsite, and you will find most of the boating is old people like my dad heading out for morning fishing and coming in by dinner time. Camper's Island has a beautiful family friendly campsite on the south side of the island. Watch the current on the granite river in May: don't run any rapids, I've done this route in May just after ice out and it is spectacular but the water moves :)

Thanks for the input and advice guys.

That May moving water on the GR was my daughters primary reason for selecting this loop. Less than 2 months to go... Cant wait!

We will look for your Pops cherio57 :)

Warm Regards,

Redishbeard