Hello all,

Any ideas on a route that would be ideal for a less experienced group for 3 nights that would avoid big windy lakes as much as possible and avoids the longest, most difficult portages? We've had successful trips the past two years but definitely ran into some trouble in the wind on Brule 2 years ago, so ideally we'd avoid those big east-west lakes. Our trip to Long Island Lake/Cherokee Lake area from Cross Bay Lake worked out well last year but we don't want to repeat. We'd be going in early August.

Bonus points for great scenery, less crowded, avoids motorboats and has at least some fishing but I know that 'all of the above' is probably too much to ask for!

Thanks in advance for any ideas you have.

Put in on Poplar and enter at Lizz (47).....Caribou, Horseshoe, Gaskin, Henson, Omega......make up a loop. Smaller lakes, decent fishing, fairly easy portages. If you include Winchell in a loop, the wind can getting whipping there, but the view off the Winchell cliff is worth fighting a little wind. Early August is about the busiest time to go as far as crowds go......just sayin'...

Our group of 4 did the Sag to Seagull outfitters loop mid September. Got hit with big waves on Knife and Seagull. So if I want to go back with the same group, need to find exactly what you are asking. 3 nights , portages that are not over 100 would be nice and no big lakes.

Check out the Baker Lake entry. Two short and very easy portages(34 rods and 5 rods) will put you into Kelly Lake. Campsites there or paddle the long river like northern stretch(very pretty) and take the easy 71 rod portage into Jack Lake for several more campsites to choose from. At the north end of the Kelly to Jack Lake portage there is a trail leading back to an old abandoned gold mine which is kind of cool to explore. The whole area offers very good fishing potential(walleyes) and is also known as one of the better spots to see moose. This would have to be one of the easiest ways to get into the BWCA a couple lakes, have the real experience, with minimal effort.

If you check the Baker entry out in the maps section on this site, for some reason(at least on my PC) Jack Lake does not show on the map. There are campsites and points of interest in what looks like a land area, but trust me, Jack Lake is definitely there.

Take a look at EP 50 Cross Bay Lake. Click on Maps & Entry Points above, then click route guide and scroll down to EP 50. Also, click on the link below.

EP 50 Info

Fall exploration of the Kawishiwi Triangle

Big Moose & a little girl - A river less paddled

Blue heaven on the Granite River

Try going in at Lake One #30 (or #32 South Kawishiwi) and paddling the Kawishiwi River. Good fishing, shorter portages, more narrow waterways.

But Lake One permits go really fast as do #32 S Kaw. so if you can, get into the permit reservations as soon as you can & if possible, on the January 25th day they go "live". This goes for many of the more popular areas by the way.

quote lindylair: "Check out the Baker Lake entry. Two short and very easy portages(34 rods and 5 rods) will put you into Kelly Lake. Campsites there or paddle the long river like northern stretch(very pretty) and take the easy 71 rod portage into Jack Lake for several more campsites to choose from. At the north end of the Kelly to Jack Lake portage there is a trail leading back to an old abandoned gold mine which is kind of cool to explore. The whole area offers very good fishing potential(walleyes) and is also known as one of the better spots to see moose. This would have to be one of the easiest ways to get into the BWCA a couple lakes, have the real experience, with minimal effort. "

+1 this is a great area.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I have been in the Baker Lake area up to Smoke and Flame lakes before, that is a nice area. We went in at Cross Bay last year and made it down to Long Lake and Cherokee--that is a beautiful area as well.

I think we will check out Lizz Lake area this year--that's a new one for me and seems like it offers some nice options for our group. I would love to check out Winchell Lake if weather permits, but if it's too windy we wouldn't be locked into it.

Someday I will try the EP's out of Ely such as Lake One. Someday!

Thanks again to all and I may have some more questions as we start to plan our trip :)