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snapcrackpop
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09/26/2016 01:53PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Might be going in this weekend or next with a HS classmate. Health reasons making me want to do a trip this year with a preference for the most scenic route. We are both in our 40s and healthy, so probably moving camp every day instead of a basecamp. I want to avoid large lakes so we are not stuck on shore with a tight schedule. 3-4 day trip. We can fish, but not great at it. lol.

I have been to the bdub 4 times out of #37 & 38 and only during the 4th of July. He has gone camping but never to the bwca. I'm not worried about gear or meals. I have an aluminum canoe, but rented lightweight ones from outfitters in the past. If the portages are as easy as Perent, I'll take the aluminum...

Also any preference of hip waders or rubber boots?
 
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09/26/2016 03:33PM  
First off, I need to tell you how much I love that picture! I've known that view by heart for many years, and it never gets old.

Second, what are the routes you've taken in the past (just to help everyone out so they aren't re-tracing what you've already done)? Your past entry points are two of my favorites as well!
andym
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09/26/2016 03:40PM  
There's a game the forum plays in the winter "Name that Lake" from a photo. It's not easy because the whole area is so beautiful. What usually strikes me is how hard it is for people to guess a lake. Often it is based on people knowing where the person who posted the picture likes to go. Take out the landing in the foreground of that wonderful photo and I bet that island starts looking hard to identify.

I would look more at the specifics of the route such as length, portages, and specific items such as pictographs, cliffs (apparently more of those on the east side) or waterfalls that you want to see.
andym
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09/26/2016 03:44PM  
OK, one other idea. It's late in the season. Maybe pick a popular area that will now be less crowded than it would be in July.
snapcrackpop
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09/26/2016 03:46PM  
1st trip, #36 Hog Creek to Perent (my boys, friend & his son) basecamp.
2nd trip, #38 Sawbill to Alton (boys & gramps gave out on the Beth portage). Backed out and stayed on Alton, campsite closest to Beth.
3rd trip #37 to 38 Lady Lake Chain (another friend & me)
4th trip #37 to 38 (my boys and a friend).

Looks like Temperance River should protect us from the wind.

Looking for great views...
andym
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09/26/2016 11:27PM  
That's so tough. Not sure what to suggest. I've seen some pics from high overviews. Maybe someone can remember those.

You could consider a trip along the Kawishiwi River to or from Lake One EP. It is small water and I found it got me into the beauty of the BW quickly when I haven't been up to a long trip.
mr.barley
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09/27/2016 12:36AM  
Prettiest? I would look at some maps of recent burn areas. Probably want to avoid those for starters.
Grizzlyman
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09/27/2016 07:12AM  
One to insula and onward is pretty unique. It's got real beautiful areas and also burn areas. It's cool to see drop dead gorgeous bwca, then the burn areas, then back to the beautiful scenery. I like looking at nature and fire is just part of the deal.- but I wouldn't want to camp in it.

"touring the burn" on your way to insula without having to actually stay in it is pretty cool.
Grandma L
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09/27/2016 07:17AM  
Water falls - I would head over to Curtain Falls - Iron Lake area - up thru Stuart River to avoid the big water of LLC. Or, up Moose along the border past Thunder Point look-out to North Arm Knife and on to Amoeber, Topaz and Cherry.

snapcrackpop
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09/27/2016 08:07AM  
Hopefully we will hit the Fall colors right and have good weather, so looking for a great Vista and maybe a cool waterfall.

Isn't there some Peak north of tofte? Would be cool to start the trip with a cup of coffee there at sunrise.

I realize anywhere in the bwca is beautiful, just looking for a new route based upon the purpose of this trip.
snapcrackpop
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09/27/2016 08:12AM  

Maybe we can recreate this photo from our youth.
09/27/2016 08:25AM  
Odd but pretty idea: Day one early start across Duncan to the stair step portage. The overlook of Rose is simply outstanding. Nice series of falls too. It will take a half day if you take your time. In the afternoon drive back down the Gunflint Trail to East Bearskin and go east to explore the Alder, Canoe, Pierz are. Nice palisades in general and it opens up the opportunity for visiting, a day trip, to Johnson Falls, perhaps the prettiest falls in the BW. Easy lakes, a good site on Canoe and enough water to keep you occupied if you base camp and explore.

Mac
inspector13
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09/27/2016 12:41PM  
quote snapcrackpop: "Isn't there some Peak north of tofte? Would be cool to start the trip with a cup of coffee there at sunrise."

There are a couple of them with great views. The one with least effort and greatest pay off is Oberg Mountain. The trail head is 5 miles north east of Tofte 1 1/2 to 2 miles up the Onion River Road (FH 336). Mount Leveaux was a let down after seeing the views from Oberg. The other, Carlton Peak, is a longer hike about 3 miles north of Tofte off the Sawbill Trail.

Grandma L
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09/27/2016 03:25PM  
View from Thunder Point - North Arm Knife


Curtain Falls
snapcrackpop
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09/27/2016 04:02PM  
That Curtain Falls looks amazing, but I don't think (#16 EP) a 480 rod portage is something I would ask of a newbie. Maybe if I go on a solo.
mr.barley
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09/27/2016 04:49PM  
quote snapcrackpop: "That Curtain Falls looks amazing, but I don't think (#16 EP) a 480 rod portage is something I would ask of a newbie. Maybe if I go on a solo."
Longest portage going in EP 16 is 160 rods.
snapcrackpop
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09/27/2016 06:40PM  
Woo hoo, my bud confirmed he will go next weekend!

I will meet him near Hibbing, so I guess I will look at the West side options.
SevenofNine
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09/27/2016 08:48PM  
quote snapcrackpop: "Woo hoo, my bud confirmed he will go next weekend!


I will meet him near Hibbing cause he can't drive at night, so I guess I will look at the West side options."


Go in at LIS North and head to the Devils cascade and beyond using that portage. I love that area.
09/27/2016 09:22PM  
Mudro entry should have a lot of nice color if you are OK with the portages.
snapcrackpop
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09/28/2016 12:38PM  
Thanks for the help. Sounds like the leaves and colors should be holding better out of Sawbill area.

So we will go next weekend (7th), check out the peaks by Tofte and then run #38 to Cherokee and back or around the river loop.
09/29/2016 09:42AM  
Piece by Jack Cook in the BWJ I got this week sure describes a pretty route.
09/29/2016 11:39AM  
I went in EP 39 on 9/9 and it was amazing. Moose, Eagles, good weather and fishing.


kinda wish my buddy wasn't in the picture....
this picture was taken at campsite 927 which was nice if you have a good sleeping pad and don't mind things a little rocky.
Grandma L
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09/29/2016 02:16PM  
quote Sven83: "I went in EP 39 on 9/9 and it was amazing. Moose, Eagles, good weather and fishing. kinda wish my buddy wasn't in the picture....
this picture was taken at campsite 927 which was nice if you have a good sleeping pad and don't mind things a little rocky."

He would be easy to crop out - still nice pic
snapcrackpop
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09/29/2016 02:31PM  
quote Sven83: "I went in EP 39 on 9/9 and it was amazing. Moose, Eagles, good weather and fishing.



kinda wish my buddy wasn't in the picture....
this picture was taken at campsite 927 which was nice if you have a good sleeping pad and don't mind things a little rocky."


I agree with you, gorgeous photo.

Can I do the loop in 3 days?
Michwall2
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09/29/2016 10:01PM  
quote snapcrackpop: "
quote Sven83: "I went in EP 39 on 9/9 and it was amazing. Moose, Eagles, good weather and fishing.



kinda wish my buddy wasn't in the picture....
this picture was taken at campsite 927 which was nice if you have a good sleeping pad and don't mind things a little rocky."



I agree with you, gorgeous photo.


Can I do the loop in 3 days?"


If you are talking about the Cherokee loop, I think yes. Sawbill to Cherokee, Cherokee to Jack (or Kelly). Jack(Kelly) to Sawbill. The middle day could be tough. The portage east out of Cherokee is one tough 140 rds. Then there is the 280 out of South Temperance to the south. That one is mostly flat but you still have to walk it. Both on the same day will make you tired. The portage west out of Kelly to Burnt also has some substantial ups and downs. All that being said, I love the Temperance River valley.

If you would like to make it more leisurely, skip the Fire Lakes. Do the route in reverse and start at Baker Lake. Have Sawbill Outfitters shuttle you to Baker Lake and end at Sawbill again.
snapcrackpop
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09/30/2016 06:34AM  
Would those portages require more than rubber boots at put-in & take-out?
Grandma L
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09/30/2016 09:23AM  
Cherokee Creek could be mucky and need knee high boots. Some pretty big portages with some high ups and downs. 14 portages - 5 are over 100 R and 2 are over 200 R. That being said - it should be a pretty route with the high bluffs and Cherokee has many good sites.
Michwall2
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09/30/2016 10:58AM  
quote snapcrackpop: "Would those portages require more than rubber boots at put-in & take-out?"


I would depend on the level of the water in places. Other than the one mentioned by Grandma L, there have been reports that a beaver dam blew out between Sawbill and Ada Lake making for a longer, muddy, mucky portage. Have not been through there myself, but have read the reports here. Check with Sawbill Outfitters on the status of that portage. There are also places on Cherokee Creek where you may have to pull over a beaver dam.

Have a great trip in one of my favorite areas!

snapcrackpop
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10/09/2016 09:26PM  
Thank you so much for the suggestions. We chose #39 due to the wind and had a great time despite the wind, snow, sleet, rain and generally cold weather. We also had periods of blue sky and calm winds. Surprising how warm you get padding & portaging.

Made it up to Oberg Mountain. Brr. Nice view.

The hope was to either go up to Cherokee & back or around to Sawbill. In the end we stopped at Jack the 1st day, Wierd the second, with a day trip to South Temperance. Cherokee was out of our reach for this trip.

The highlight of the trip (aside of the campsite on Weird) was a cow & calf moose just to the North.

I just might have a new trip buddy.
andym
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10/10/2016 11:05AM  
Glad the trip was a success and hope there are more in the future.
snapcrackpop
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10/10/2016 01:13PM  
Sorry about the sideways photos.
 
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