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FoxRiverRat

03/01/2012 09:36AM

Hello All,

1st time poster on here, although I've lurked on and off for a bit. I've been to the BWCA 4 times over about 8 years.

This year I am (possibly foolishly) going to take about 4 newcomers with me. So including myself, there will be 5 people along very familiar with backpacking/canoeing, no-trace ethics etc...

I have 1 specific question, but am open to any tips or advise you wan to toss at me...

1.) I want to do a "base camp" sort of trip. I'l like to hear your suggestions for a 1 day paddle in, set up camp, stay a couple nights, paddle out quick sort of trip. I figure 2-3 nights in the wilderness is a realistic expectation.

-priorities are fishing, minimal portages, minimal big lakes as I'll have inexperianced paddlers with me, and somewhere close to ELY, oh and please help me dodge the burn area.

thanks a lot!

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vinnie

03/01/2012 09:46AM

Hog creek, should do for what you want.

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vinnie

03/01/2012 09:49AM

oops! i should of said hog creek to perent lake.

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boonie

03/01/2012 10:01AM

Mudro entry (if available) will give you a couple of good options for what you want.

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FoxRiverRat

03/01/2012 10:07AM

Thanks Vinnie / Boonie, I'll check those out!

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FoxRiverRat

03/01/2012 10:14AM

so like Mudro to Fountain or Horse Lakes? or were your you thinking southwest from entry point 23?

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boonie

03/01/2012 10:59AM

I'm not much of a fisherman, but I believe both Fourtown and Horse have good reputations.

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nojobro

03/01/2012 11:26AM

#47 Lizz Lake entry, to Horseshoe. There will be 3 portages but if I remember correctly the longest one is 66 rods or thereabouts.

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FoxRiverRat

03/01/2012 12:41PM

thank you! I'll check that out as well :)

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BeaV

03/01/2012 04:18PM

Ensign Lake is a great base camp lake meeting your wants. I've been doing that in Ensign for 20 years and it never disappoints- especially in June for good fishing. Just don't be fishing my spots cause I'll be there again this June:)

I always pay for a tow to get across Moose and Newfound Lakes. This saves some valuable time when you've got a short trip planned.

BeaV

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FoxRiverRat

03/01/2012 04:33PM

great info thanks BeaV. so about this fishing spot... haha

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rookie in 03

03/01/2012 06:30PM

If you go to Fourtown or Horse, check out a daytrip to Lower Basswood Falls and the pictographs. Very nice trip.

rookie in 03

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boonie

03/01/2012 07:10PM

Just an FYI - some of the suggested entries aren't near Ely.

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overthehill

03/01/2012 07:49PM

I think a base camp is wise for newcomers. No matter how much camping, backpacking, and paddling (whitewater,float trips, or even flatwater NOT on a big or windy lake) it is still a 'new' experience.

I'll second the tow across Moose and Newfound to Splash/Ensign. Gravy minimal portaging and paddling plus good fishing will bring the new guys back for more no matter what weather you experience. Ashigan Lake is a short portage from SE Ensign and smallies seemed very hungry there a couple years ago. I was bad down in the back and had 3 new guys with me and this last-minute option was a cakewalk. We were pleased.

Keep an eye on the weather and wind DIRECTION and do some daytripping. CBO (Canadian Border Outfitters) was great for us for this trip! They are on Moose. (We stayed at their lakeside rooms, walked right to the dining room, then the dock...for cheap.)So are some others listed on the left in the 'outfitters' tab.

Check out the 'map' tab on left too; for some brainstorming.

Not to Hurry-Not to Worry

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FoxRiverRat

03/02/2012 09:01AM

haha, thanks Boonie, I noticed that too. I still appreciate all suggestions though. I'm already driving 10 hours, whats another 1 or 2? haha

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FoxRiverRat

03/02/2012 09:07AM

thanks for all the info overthehill. those lakeside rooms sound like a nice place to start the trip too! I was in some bunk houses in Ely the last time

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mirth

03/02/2012 09:17AM

Fox,

I'll echo the EP23 to either Fourtown or Horse recommendation. You have a little work early on but the payoff is well worth it. If you go to Fourtown you also have the option of taking a mini loop daytrip up to Gun then thru Moosecamp & Moosecamp River back to Fourtown.

I see you're my neighbor of sorts, just a few miles to the West. If you're interested we're having a northern Illinois / Southern WI / All are welcome BWCA board camping get to gether the weekend of April 20th by Rockford. Look for the thread called 'Northern Illinois Wingnite' or something to that effect.

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FoxRiverRat

03/02/2012 09:36AM

Hey Mirth!

thanks for your input. I noticed for Mudro they also have EP22 (no camping on horse) what's the deal with that?

I clearly would want a permit for EP23 not 22 right? It looks like Fourtown has a ton of campsites on it. Is it a crowded lake in comparison?

thanks for the info on the wing night. I just may come on out. I've got 50 feet of the glorious (note sarcasm) Fox River in my backyard haha. Its actually a blast, just not the cleanest...

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mirth

03/02/2012 10:33AM

You can get whichever permit suits your plans best.... If you get EP22 then yes, no camping on Horse but you can still hang out there during the day. If you want maximum flexability then get the #23 permit, the put in is the same location regardless. I believe the #22 'EP' was created for those who planned to go Mudro to Fourtown directly, or thru Horse up the river to the Lower Basswood Falls area.

It's a popular entry point, the initial difficulty & pain in the rear of the 3 portages from Mudro to Fourtown is well worth it for the scenery and area in general. Lots of people go there for the fishing, which is why it's popular.

I can't speak to crowdedness, as my only time thru the area was on the way out from Gun last September. I recall seeing most, if not all, sites on Boot were occupied. We were paddling by fairly early on a Friday morning.

Best advice I can give, is if you're planning on going to Fourtown or anywhere in that vacinity, get in as early as possible. Since you're going to have mulitple boats, bring walkies too if you have them. You can always have 1 boat stop at an open site while the other boat goes & scouts for other open campsites.

The maps section of this website can be useful in getting info on campsites based on people's reviews. Also, check out trip reports - lots of useful info can be gleaned from them as well.

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Kevlar

03/02/2012 11:58AM

About Horse and Fourtown...very popular lakes, but Horse is easier to get to and has more nights with all sites taken. Fourtown doesn't usually get "full", and there are sites on the small lakes.

Also look at Big Moose lake, south of the Echo Trail. Two portages, smallmouth, walleye, and northern. Can have wind problems. If water levels are low the stream in can be a problem...not usually a problem in June, however.

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FoxRiverRat

03/02/2012 01:01PM

Thanks Kevlar, I'll give Big Moose a look too. I was on recreation.gov and the permits are moving fast!

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FoxRiverRat

03/02/2012 03:08PM

What is everyone's thoughts on Lake One Entry point (30) for my half newbie trip?

seems like very minimal portaging between lakes 1-4 and some of the surrounding lakes. it also appears campsites are abundant. I'm guessing this may be a busier set of lakes with the easy access though...

thanks!

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bdavid1157

03/02/2012 03:20PM

With last years fire I heard some or most of the campsites on Lakes 3 and 4 and Hudson are closed. I would think that the ones that are open will be hard to get.

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FoxRiverRat

03/02/2012 03:38PM

thanks! i just wandered my way to the USFS site and noticed the same thing. man, permits for the unburned areas will be in high demand

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FoxRiverRat

03/02/2012 03:55PM

Now, I'm contemplating Slim Lake entry point. Mudro has very limited availability already. Seems like Slim lake an unpopular entry and that we could have it, rice, and hook to ourselves....

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Woods Walker

03/03/2012 07:27AM

I would also suggest the tow to Splash & then camp on Ensign or Ashigan, We had a great fishing trip there I stayed on Ashigan one trip & we killed the Smallies, stayed on Ensign once too, fishing was ok, but not as good as Ashigan.

Just an FYI, every time I have been through Horse Lake its been full, very popular lake.

A road is a dagger placed in the heart of a wilderness. -William O. Douglas, in Ghost Grizzlies

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CORIOLIS

03/03/2012 01:22PM

Don't overlook Wood Lake, EP26. Basecamped there last August; marvelous week. And Packsack as the outfitter (bunkhouse), they're in Winton right on Fall Lake. Don't get much easier.

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emptynest56

03/05/2012 03:48PM

Another vote for ep 23 or 22. Any of the lakes on the chain out of Fourtown are great to basecamp on. We stayed our last night last year on a 4-5star site on Boot. What a great view!

"Did you bring the coffee?" "No. I thought you were."

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FoxRiverRat

03/06/2012 01:28PM

thanks to all for your input. i ended up choosing EP38 based on multiple variables.. I feel kinda dumb NOT picking one that you all had mentioned, but Sawbill fit my dates and seemed to also fit what i was looking to get out of this trip!

man, im excited now. Can August 10th hurry up and get here?

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