I was thinking south lake looks like it could have potential for winter camping this winter. I would be snowshoeing and pulling a pulk. What's the best entry point? It looks like south lakes entry point is all the way on the west side of gunflint lake! Is there anyplace closer to start at?

You can access South via Topper. Park at the Mayhew lake rd, the first 100' or so will be plowed. Walk down the rd past Mayhew lake to Topper lake. Most of that will be packed down nicely from snowmobiles and easy walking. Go straight across Topper and down the hill to South. South is a very productive trout lake so it does get fished in the winter and there will be a trail to follow unless you go right after it snows. The hill between Topper and South is steep and it's a riggerous hike out.

That area was hit hard by a major storm this year with lots of downed trees. You may want to call the forest service to see if the trail from Topper to South was cleared before going that way.

quote brux: "That area was hit hard by a major storm this year with lots of downed trees. You may want to call the forest service to see if the trail from Topper to South was cleared before going that way."

That trail is open

I just want to add to Walleye Hunter's original post. The hill from Topper down to south is one of the longest and steepest you will come across in the bwca. Basically the entire portage is downhill from Topper to South, I would guess it's a 300 ft. drop over the 70 rod portage. If you are a cold camper with a light travel load you will probably be ok but I could not imagine towing a toboggan with a hot tent/stove and fishing gear back up that hill. We have always base camped on Topper and taken a day trip down to south. I'm not trying to steer you away from it, just trying to help inform you.

I don't see any entry points by topper lake? Do you not need to use entry points in the winter as long as you still have a permit?

In the winter Mayhew Lake road is basically turned into a small parking lot that is big enough to fit 4 or 5 cars. There is a trail straight back with a self permit box where you can fill out your permit. The trail runs from Mayhew lake road to Topper lake. Most likely it will be packed down as that area gets a fair amount of use during the winter trout season.

quote Gadfly: "In the winter Mayhew Lake road is basically turned into a small parking lot that is big enough to fit 4 or 5 cars. There is a trail straight back with a self permit box where you can fill out your permit. The trail runs from Mayhew lake road to Topper lake. Most likely it will be packed down as that area gets a fair amount of use during the winter trout season. "

Thanks for the info!

The drop to Topper lake is like 150 feet also from access point. Should be a permit box at entrance to Topper.
Total drop like 450 feet?

I'm hoping this elevation isn't going to be a problem. I'm guessing each of our pulks will have about 30# of gear in it.

At that weight it you should be fine. We day tripped with roughly that amount of gear a couple times from Topper. We just took a couple extra breaks on the way back up the hill. Good Luck and let us know how it goes.