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07/19/2018 12:53PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Hi,

This will be my first time travelling to the BW and I was wondering what were some good entry points for a trip that would only be for 4-5 days in August? We are open to any advice and it would be with a group of about 8 novice to intermediate canoers. Any tips would also be appreciated!

PS. We are coming from the Minneapolis area
 
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carmike
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07/19/2018 01:02PM  
Can you give a bit more information about your group's goals, wants, needs, desires, etc.?

There are *so many* options that it'll be hard to give advice until we know more.

Another thing to consider is permit availability. Many of the popular ones will not be available, so that constraint might make the search a little easier.
inspector13
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07/19/2018 01:08PM  

If you are talking about August of this year you have limited choices. There are very few permits available for the first two weeks of August. Your best bet for a 4-5 day trip during the second half of August would be the Fall Lake or Moose Lake EPs.

heavylunch
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07/19/2018 01:15PM  
Yes, figure out from your crew what they want to see and do and then you can kind of gear your choices from there.

Examples:
Clear lakes versus stained?
Big water (Sag, La Croix) versus small water (Moose River, Kawishiwi)?
Rapids, water falls?
Enjoy portaging and are fairly fit versus avoid portages?
Motor boats/no motor boats?
How important is privacy?
Layover days or base camping with daytrips versus pack and travel every day?
Fishing versus other hobbies (hiking, reading, swimming)
What kind of fishing? Trout, pike, walleye or maybe bass?

Also, single portaging versus, 1.5 or double portaging?

Usually people have preferences. Give us some feedback


pswith5
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07/19/2018 08:13PM  
Hello, my suggestion is to look into an area with many campsites such as Seagull or maybe Moose lake entry then take short portage into Ensign. Permits are based on likely campsite availability in a particular area. Few or no portages would allow you to take day trips to find out everyone's abilities. One concern with novice paddlers is moving in windy conditions. Hold nearer shore line if that is the case. Even if it means more distance. Paddle early if possible. Lakes tend to be calmer plus more likely to get a campsite. Make sure you leave yourself time to get to the next few sites. If your target site is occupied you move on to the next and so on. I live just south of the twin cities if you wanted to chat with someone in person. I have maps we could look at to give you some ideas. I canceled my spring trip due to surgery so I am living vicariously through others. :) Maybe over a beer or a burger? Sound weird meeting strangers this way?? Search the word wingnite in the search bar on top of page. We do it all the time. Pete
billconner
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07/20/2018 07:45AM  
Are you mostly self outfitted or do you need canoes and other gear? Do you plan to plan and shop for food or prefer an outfitter do that? I full outfitted first trip and am glad I did. Rented canoes a few trips but never have full outfitted again.

I suggest working with an outfitter starting now. There will be some cost but the benefits will be worth it for first experience. They can reserve permit, help with route, and generally be a valuable resource.
Duckman
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07/20/2018 08:33AM  
Hard to beat Sawbill for a first timer.
billconner
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07/20/2018 08:35AM  
Duckman: "Hard to beat Sawbill for a first timer."


And I can say same about Canoe Country Outfitters in Ely, but was trying to avoid the testimonials. I have no personal experience but I believe if I had gone to Voyageur North, who participates here, I'd say the same about them.

Use one of the BWCA.COM sponsors and I'm confident you'll be pleased. I'll avoid the Ely vs Gunflint debate but that choice would narrow the outfitter options. I was prompted to look at costs and when it came to close comparisons, they don't vary much. Some have budget options but the premium canoes and gear from different outfitters is about the same published cost.

Do consider whether you will need lodging before or after - some outfitters have lodging; I presume others will help you find it. (I will say that CCO has "apartments" at their Ely base that make lodging for 6-8 quite economical, but now there are a lot of places in Ely on AirBnB as well. Changed world.)

07/20/2018 11:57AM  
Duckman: "Hard to beat Sawbill for a first timer."


I think he was referring to the Sawbill entry point. This entry would work well for a first timer. Although, he could be referring to both.
thlipsis29
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07/20/2018 12:43PM  
There are so many variables it hard to know. The biggest one is permit availability. And what is your primary objective: fishing, sightseeing, adventure, basecamping, doing a loop...? If you have the time and can track down a copy of either of Robert Beymer's guides to the BWCA, that might help provide some information about the difficulty of the routes from the entry points that have permits remaining.

One other thing I would point out is that it's one thing to be an intermediate canoer and another thing to be camping in the wilderness. What gear do you have, what can you borrow and what will you need to rent? If you were interested, I'd be more than willing to send you a copy of the personal packing list I give to those who go on trips with me. While by no means definitive, it it the result of 18 trips of varying difficulty. Just know that you'll likely overpack and have to be willing to adapt depending as to the availability of campsites and the physical condition of your group members.
billconner
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07/20/2018 03:04PM  
Lightfoot: "
Duckman: "Hard to beat Sawbill for a first timer."



I think he was referring to the Sawbill entry point. This entry would work well for a first timer. Although, he could be referring to both."


Ahhhh. Of course. Recognized them as an outfitter after a chat them at Canoecopia, and didn't click as an EP. Age.

I'm a little of the opinion that there are probably not many entry points that would be bad choices for a first trip. Perhaps a few with really long portages to the water. And availability for the available dates seems like a key here.

 
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