Looking for some advice - for my 40th(!) birthday, I'm taking three friends up to the BWCA. I've been a ton but none of them have before. However, they are very outdoorsy and fit, but not paddlers. We have the trip set from Thursday-Sunday, Aug 24-27.

Any suggestions on routes to take that will be fun and challenging? I imagine 5-6 hours of paddling per day with Sunday being very, very short.

I've had to take a few years off from going up for health-related reasons so I'm so eager to get back on the water again! Just reading the forums is making me so happy.

Thanks.

Kate - Welcome to the Board! You should think about becoming a member - no cost or pain - just sign up. And, be sure to put your e-mail address so we can contact you directly. The little envelop by our names has our e-mail connection so you can send to us.

As for route - are you interested more in Ely or Grand Marais areas? Using an outfitter? Loop or straight in and out? Avoid long portages? The more information you give, the better we will be at helping.

Check out the other areas of the site and join Forums that interest you. Food, trip reports, gear - several to choose.

Welcome!! Great way to celebrate a birthday.
Can you give us some more info to make it easier to help you out?
going to be fishing? if so what kind?
health reasons? do you need short/easier portages?
where have you gone before? so we don't suggest routes you already know about
newbie paddlers so I assume you want smaller lakes?

Do the Brule - Cone - Winchell - Brule loop It can be a shorter loop but there is a lot of area to fish and explore. I did that loop in 3 days and wished I had one more to explore Winchell. Brule is great to hit up on the first day. Take the campsite on lower Cone and then head back out to find some walleye. The second day you should travel up the cones and fish for bass, make your way to Winchell and find a campsite. Day 3, you take some time on Winchell and hit up the cliff and waterfall before heading back to Brule. Camp on Brule that night, there are many campsites to choose from, and do a bit more fishing for walleye. Echo is pretty known for being a hot spot.

You could spend 2 nights on Winchell and fish for northerns and trout if you wanted instead of heading back to Brule. The way back is not that bad so you can do it on the day you are heading out. That's what we did and were out by about 2.

There is also the Lady Chain, Cherokee loop, and Poplar to Gaskin/Winchell routes to explore too. I've never been to the Ely side so I really can't help you there.

Welcome to the forum! Hope you have a Happy Birthday!

Here are a couple of ideas. Since you said 5-6 hours a day, 3 1/4 days. (the first being very short). On your full paddle days, I would suggest 8-10 miles each day. That would allow for about 2-2.5 mph and a lunch stop. I am assuming you are not fishing when traveling. You will not get a very broad or varied route, not much solitude with such a short time - basically it will be a very short entry day, 2 travel, exit day. 2 days in and 2 days out.

Check out a loop - Lake One to Insula, north to Thomas, Ima, Disappointment, and out Snowbank. This maps out at about 39 miles. First night you will probably stay on Lake One or Two. Day 2 - to north end of Insula - Day 3 - to Ima - Day 4 - out at Snowbank. You will have to pay attention, get up and get moving. OR just do 2 days in to northern Insula and back out.

Start Moose River North - stay on Nina Moose. Day - 2 - to Tiger Bay - Day 3 Day trip to Pictographs on Irving Island and head south to stay on Agnes. Day 4 - head back to landing on Moose River North. this is a shorter route but has great scenery, good fishing on lac La Croix and the best pictographs. this is a much simpler route with room for relaxation.

Off the Gunflint - Check out Baker as an entry - do an straight in and out up to Jack and Weird. or over to the west to Sawbill.

If you can figure out a way to get from one EP to the other whether it be 2 vehicles, walking or arranging a ride I would suggest the small loop option from EP 14 to EP 16 or vice versa. We started at the EP 14 end and moved east. It's a really nice loop that has some solitude for being near a couple entry points.

DP

quote DeanL: "If you can figure out a way to get from one EP to the other whether it be 2 vehicles, walking or arranging a ride I would suggest the small loop option from EP 14 to EP 16 or vice versa. We started at the EP 14 end and moved east. It's a really nice loop that has some solitude for being near a couple entry points. "

This was the route that came to mind as well. You could have a layover day along this route since you will probably only need 3 campsites along the way. I would suggest camping on Shell, Oyster and Nina Moose. Or you could stay near Devil's Cascade on night 1, then Lynx, Oyster and Nina Moose.

I do like the Baker Lake entry suggestion (or Sawbill), though I'll point out it is the Sawbill Trail and not the Gunflint.
The thing is with the Sawbill Trail there is no touristy town take advantage of pre or post trip. Since this is a birthday celebration, that might be important.
Something out of the Ely or Grand Marais area might be better for the night before/day after the trip.

I second this one!
~ PointMe2Polaris

quote Grandma L: "Here are a couple of ideas. Since you said 5-6 hours a day, 3 1/4 days. (the first being very short). On your full paddle days, I would suggest 8-10 miles each day. That would allow for about 2-2.5 mph and a lunch stop. I am assuming you are not fishing when traveling. You will not get a very broad or varied route, not much solitude with such a short time - basically it will be a very short entry day, 2 travel, exit day. 2 days in and 2 days out.


Check out a loop - Lake One to Insula, north to Thomas, Ima, Disappointment, and out Snowbank. This maps out at about 39 miles. First night you will probably stay on Lake One or Two. Day 2 - to north end of Insula - Day 3 - to Ima - Day 4 - out at Snowbank. You will have to pay attention, get up and get moving. OR just do 2 days in to northern Insula and back out.


Start Moose River North - stay on Nina Moose. Day - 2 - to Tiger Bay - Day 3 Day trip to Pictographs on Irving Island and head south to stay on Agnes. Day 4 - head back to landing on Moose River North. this is a shorter route but has great scenery, good fishing on lac La Croix and the best pictographs. this is a much simpler route with room for relaxation.


Off the Gunflint - Check out Baker as an entry - do an straight in and out up to Jack and Weird. or over to the west to Sawbill.


"

Thanks for the tips! Will signup and check out the routes you suggested!