Hello!,
I have done a bunch of BW trips but it was quite a few years ago and I'm feeling rusty and I've never been to the Eastern BW. I have a South Lake permit so apparently I need to start at Gunflint. I would like to make it to Rose the first day, but, we likely won't be on the water until 10:00 or so. Is this doable? I think the next day will be Rose to Mountain (long day due to the 600 rod) and then a short day from Mountain to Caribou.
In total we have 3.5 days of paddling. It is just two of us so i would think we can move pretty swiftly.

Has anyone done this route or section of it? does this seem reasonable or do the first two day seem like too much? It will be first week of September so perhaps getting dark around 8:30 or 9?
Thanks!

We did much of your proposed route on This trip .

Breath taking scenery.

TuscaroraBorealis: "We did much of your proposed route on This trip .


Breath taking scenery.
"

TB- What size tarp do you use? Some impressive set ups in your trip report. Makes me think of revising my gear wish list for a larger sized tarp.

That Rose portage is old railbed up to the Daniels spur. You could jog it. I did once as the sun was quickly retreating.

dew042: "That Rose portage is old railbed up to the Daniels spur. You could jog it. I did once as the sun was quickly retreating."

Gunflint is along paddle in and of itself, but the portages to Rose are easy. Strong paddlers should be able to make it, an earlier start would help. I did the border route trip in 2012. We got as far as South the first day.
The long portage is level an easy till the Daniels spur. The last third to Rove is a little more challenging , but not too bad.

It will be dark about 8:00 the first week of Sept.

It's a long paddle down Gunflint, but reaching Rose should be doable for you. If something goes horribly wrong on the first day, the Island campsite on Gunflint right across from the Bridal Falls hiking path is a nice site for an emergency bailout. Gunflint can get pretty rough/dangerous in bad weather, but since you can hug that southern shore the whole way down shouldn't be an issue.

THEGrandRapids: "

TuscaroraBorealis: "We did much of your proposed route on This trip .



Breath taking scenery.
"

TB- What size tarp do you use? Some impressive set ups in your trip report. Makes me think of revising my gear wish list for a larger sized tarp."

The 15×15 CCS tarp.

You can always just slide down the Topper portage into South lake, and start at the Mayhew lake road. It's not easy, but it's a lot faster.

Quinn

I would suggest maybe using Gunflint Pines as your starting point to get a big head start on Gunflint. We used them for parking once and it was very reasonable. Because the south shore of Gunflint is flat and prevailing winds are from the NW, you can ride some rough waves just offshore on Gunflint easily; if you dump, it will wash you into a mostly gentle shoreline. And you have to hike in and see Bridal Veil Falls, you cannot pass them up. I would prefer to not hurry through this beautiful area so much myself, but it is doable.

Thanks! This is good advice and I think what we will end up doing! much appreciated

Thanks! Looks amazing