BWCA Hiking the BWCA Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* BWCA is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
   Trip Planning Forum
      Hiking the BWCA     
 Forum Sponsor

Author

Text

brotherbear
member (49)member
  
11/04/2018 04:53PM  
I am heading up to Clearwater Lake for a family cabin trip in June. After the cabin, I wanted to do 3 or 4 nights hiking somewhere in the BWCA. I have been doing some research on the BRT and have the guidebook, but looking for suggestions of 3 or 4-night trip either on the BRT or another trail in the BWCA.

Looking to travel 7-12 miles per day.

Out and back, point to point, or a loop are all possibilities.

Does not have to be in the Clearwater Lake or Gunflint Trail area.

 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next
schweady
distinguished member(8066)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
11/04/2018 10:09PM  
The BRT is fairly rugged in comparison to other trails, ie the SHT. Lots of abrupt elevation changes and narrower paths, in my experiences. But, those who plotted out its route included some of the most fantastic overlooks. My favorites on the BRT, so far:
Mountain Lake Overlook East - N48 05.840 W90 17.034
Mountain Lake Overlook West - N48 05.921 W90 17.938
Stairway Overlook - N48 05.609 W90 26.817
Duncan Lake Overlook - N48 05.697 W90 27.587
Rose Lake Overlook East - N48 06.126 W90 28.227
Rose Lake Overlook West - N48 06.104 W90 28.371
Rose Lake Spires Overlook - N48 06.067 W90 28.421
Huntman94
member (7)member
  
11/05/2018 10:54AM  
check out the snowbank lake loop. 24 miles it would be a good trip for you
dex8425
senior member (84)senior membersenior member
  
11/08/2018 05:06PM  
You have lots of options. I have hiked all of the following. The BRT is closest to clearwater but it is not my favorite trail up there. It does have the most elevation by far of the following:

1. Sioux hustler loop. 32 mile lollipop loop
2. pow wow trail. 32 ish mile loop, not currently all cleared but close.
3. Snowbank lake loop, can be anywhere from 22 to 30ish miles depending on how many of the side loops you do and how far you hike on the KEK. Very fun and scenic.
4. Kekekabic trail. connects to the BRT on the western end of the BRT. Out and back only except for snowbank section.
5. Angleworm trail. 13 mile loop, pretty easy and good for kids.

You can also do a loop off the BRT using the Daniels lake trail, or the caribou rock trail and the moss lake trail, the latter two are excellent.

There's also eagle mountain, which is a day hike up to the highest point in MN. You can go all the way to Brule. It's 3.5 miles to the peak and back to the south trailhead.
11/08/2018 05:39PM  
schweady: "The BRT is fairly rugged in comparison to other trails, ie the SHT. Lots of abrupt elevation changes and narrower paths, in my experiences. But, those who plotted out its route included some of the most fantastic overlooks. My favorites on the BRT, so far:
Mountain Lake Overlook East - N48 05.840 W90 17.034
Mountain Lake Overlook West - N48 05.921 W90 17.938
Stairway Overlook - N48 05.609 W90 26.817
Duncan Lake Overlook - N48 05.697 W90 27.587
Rose Lake Overlook East - N48 06.126 W90 28.227
Rose Lake Overlook West - N48 06.104 W90 28.371
Rose Lake Spires Overlook - N48 06.067 W90 28.421
"


Great list of the nearby overlooks, some are east of the Daniel Spur trail, some are west, and the Daniel spur trail basically starts at Clearwater Lodge, which makes it convenient. Clearwater Lodge would be a good place to leave your car and then facilitate pickup depending on which way you go.

As schweady mentioned, its a rugged trail, predict your route on the lower end for mileage each day if you are carrying full packs. One of the other challenges is getting campsites, some you have to compete with canoe folks, and some of the hiking only ones are pretty mediocre. And water can be a challenge, its can be miles between places to fill up.

If I had your time frame, I'd hike the Daniels spur trail and try for the northern campsite on the Daniels, or the eastern campsite on Rose and basecamp. And then long day hikes in both directions on the BRT. East all the way to Gogebic Lake, three of the best vistas in the BWCA on one day. And the East to the Rose lake overlooks, Stairway falls and the Caribou Rock trail. Clearwater Lodge might be able to water taxi you back from the far east side of Clearwater, or pick you up off the end of the Caribou Rock Trail.

If you plan on the BRT, the Trailguide is quite valuable: https://www.borderroutetrail.org/trailguide.html

I've done the Sioux Hustler trail recently, while it doesn't have the elevation the BRT does, its even more rustic. Not exactly easy hiking.
brotherbear
member (49)member
  
11/10/2018 10:18PM  
Thanks for all the great info really appreciate it!
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next