I'm interested in going on a 2-4 day hiking trip in the BWCA this fall. I've never done a hiking/backpacking trip, but have gone on one canoe trip. I'd be going with one other person and am considering bringing my dog. I guess I just want to know any general advice/ins and outs for backpacking in the BWCA.

Lots of folks on here can offer ideas. There are some pretty hikes and fall is a beautiful time, though the weather is variable; a variety of difficulty levels... See also the other forum at this website: On Foot

oliviamahedy: "...
.... I've never done a hiking/backpacking trip...

... "

To clarify; you've never backpacked or never backpacked in the BWCA?

If this will be your first backpacking experience, you should consider a section of the Superior Hiking trail instead. The SHT will be a more enjoyable experience.

If you have backpacked before, you should consider a section of the SHT instead.

The hiking trails in the BWCA make it a particularly attractive place to canoe. I confess, I love the SHT and have hiked many sections of that trail. With respect to the BWCA, I have explored sections of the Border Route Trail and learned, it is not a great trail.

Opinions vary. Or, perhaps I just found the overgrown, rock-littered, root-tangled buggy sections of the Border route trail. Perhaps someone here has better advice.

Good Luck

OCDave: "

oliviamahedy: "...
.... I've never done a hiking/backpacking trip...


... "

To clarify; you've never backpacked or never backpacked in the BWCA?


If this will be your first backpacking experience, you should consider a section of the Superior Hiking trail instead. The SHT will be a more enjoyable experience.


If you have backpacked before, you should consider a section of the SHT instead.

The hiking trails in the BWCA make it a particularly attractive place to canoe. I confess, I love the SHT and have hiked many sections of that trail. With respect to the BWCA, I have explored sections of the Border Route Trail and learned, it is not a great trail.

Opinions vary. Or, perhaps I just found the overgrown, rock-littered, root-tangled buggy sections of the Border route trail. Perhaps someone here has better advice.

Good Luck
"

My opinion of the hiking trails in the BW differs slightly from OCDave's. I have completed the Border Route, Kek, Snowbank (including the Old Pine and Becoosin loops), Angleworm and Sioux Hustler. I've done several of these many times. I like the SHT as well, but I really, really like hiking the BW trails.

Still, as much as I enjoy the hiking trails of the Boundary Waters and want to see others enjoy them, I am reluctant to suggest them as a first time backpacking experience. They are not well marked, groomed trails. Route finding can be interesting at times.

If this will be your first backpacking trip and you want to start with a trip in NE Minnesota, I think the SHT might be the better, safer choice. If you're still set on a BW trip I would suggest the Angleworm as a first hike. At ~15 miles it is an easy two day trip and a leisurely 3 day stroll. It's also a pretty trail and in generally good condition.

The two that come to mind are the Angleworm Trail or the Sioux Hustler, both of which are fantastic trails. They're easy to follow, not overgrown, and the right length for the duration of the trip you're planning.

OCDave: "

oliviamahedy: "...
.... I've never done a hiking/backpacking trip...


... "

I have explored sections of the Border Route Trail and learned, it is not a great trail.

Opinions vary. Or, perhaps I just found the overgrown, rock-littered, root-tangled buggy sections of the Border route trail. Perhaps someone here has better advice.

Good Luck
"

Not gonna lie, my friend and I were going to hike the BRT next year but after Harriet Quarells said its imperative to bring a GPS, and SHUG even thought it was difficult at times, we've decided to tackle a monster section of the SHT.

We may do the BRT someday after our hiking/navigation skills have grown.


I think you could have an amazing time doing the Angleworm trail. That's a perfect 2-3 day hike...

Watch some SHUG videos, he's done Angleworm/Souix Hustler Tral/Kek/Snowbank, and BRT...

Here is SHUGs Angleworm video.

I'll put in a vote for the Angleworm Trail, it's one of my favorite backpacking trails and just the right length for a weekend. I wrote up a trip report about a trip on it last fall with my daughter. Click on the notebook under my name to see my trip reports.

If it's a first ever backpacking trip (which isn't the way I understood your statement) then I'd start somewhere other than the BWCA, but there's plenty of good hiking in there.

I’ve done plenty of backpacking in the bwca and have never used gps. I have also spent LOTS of time almost lost. Being almost lost in the thick of the bwca gives you an entirely different experience of the wilderness. I’d also recommend the angleworm trail, for the most part it is an easy trail to follow, the forest here is gorgeous.

My wife and I just got back yesterday from doing a two day hike on the Angleworm trail, it was a great time with good weather the trail is clearly marked and not overgrown so navigating should be no problem. We pack light and stayed one night at the halfway point, the one thing I would do different would wear a heavy hiking boot my Merrells Moabs with a smart foot insole were not comfortable on the sole enough for me with all the roots and rocks for 13 miles. I love these Merrells for trail walking but for a more rugged trail they certainly don't protect my soles

I would recommend either the herriman lake trail or the angleworm trail. They are in the wilderness but are not super long.