For the past few years I've done hiking trips with some friends up in BWCA (Snowbank and Angleworm trails), but this year we've decided to switch it up, and do a canoe trip instead.

Looking at 5 days (8/22-8/26), two of the guys have very little experience, one of them hasn't done much canoeing in the last 15 years, and I canoe fairly regularly, but it's been many years since I've done a trip through BWCA and/or Quetico.

Was thinking about going in through Moose, and up and over to Basswood, or maybe going in on Wood, but was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a decent little loop we could do?

Any favorite trips that would fit the timing?

Couple of Ideas:

Entry 37: Sawbill Lake - Do the Cherokee Loop and add a day trip to Frost Lake. e.g. Day 1 Sawbill to Burnt Lake. Day 2 Burnt Lake to South Temperance Lake.
Day 3 South Temperance Lake to Cherokee Lake. Day 4 . Day Trip to Frost Lake . Day 5 Out to Sawbill Lake. Great scenery. More than average chance to see moose. Cherokee has great scenery. Frost Lake has beautiful golden sand beaches and moose.

Entry 47 - Lizz Lake. Go out to Long Island Lake and then north east to Banadad and then out to Poplar through Skipper Lake. e.g. Day one Poplar/Lizz Lake to Horseshoe Lake . Day 2 Horseshoe Lake to Long Island Lake. Day 3 Day trip to Frost Lake. Day 4 Long Island to Banadad Lake. Day 5 Out to Poplar through Skipper Lake. This loop will give you great chances to see moose on Horseshoe. The east end of Long Island has a couple great campsites. Frost Lake is worth the visit. The route to Banadad is little travelled and will give you some solitude. Stay on the west end of Banadad on the island site. Head out the last day. The 320 from Skipper to Poplar is not hard.

Hope you have a great trip!

Moose to Basswood is a long paddle for a novice. Basswood is big water and can have major waves. I probably wouldn’t take inexperienced paddlers on either and would look for a different rout

Michwall2 - Thank you so much! This is exactly what I was looking for! Neither of these were entry points I was even considering, just because I'm not familiar with them. Both look interesting.

sylvesterii: "Moose to Basswood is a long paddle for a novice. Basswood is big water and can have major waves. I probably wouldn’t take inexperienced paddlers on either and would look for a different rout"

That was kind of what I was thinking, thanks for the feedback!

There are a number of nice loops you can do out of moose lake and avoid the large waters of basswood.

Option 1: Moose - Ensign - Vera - Knife - Carp - Birch and back to the Moose chain

Option 2: Moose - Ensign - Frog/Trident - Birch - and back to the moose chain

option 3: Moose - Wind - Wind Bay - Indiana - Good - Hula out at Wood

There are plenty of other options in the area, would help to know what your goals of the trip are? Fishing, exploring, relaxation, etc.

Thanks Crooked!

None of us are fishermen (I haven't fished in over 20 years, but would like to again someday), so it's just about getting out, and enjoying the beauty of the BWCA. Exploring is always fun, but I know a couple of the guys wouldn't mind as relaxing as possible.

Will you have 1 or 2 vehicles?

Captn Tony: "Will you have 1 or 2 vehicles?"

Just one this year.