Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Melberg Lake from Snowbank - Possible?
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timatkn |
IdealTarHeel: "I can actually get a permit for Kawishiwi Lake. If it was me, I'd change to Kawishiwi Lake entry. You can make it to Malberg in an easy day. If for some unforeseeable reason all the camps are full you have options and time. The 2 hour drive is justified easily in my opinion. As another poster presented you could also gear up in Ely and camp overnight at the Kawishiwi campground T |
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JD |
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JD |
Malberg definitely fills up. I went in 2021, the Thursday before Memorial Day, after camping at the Kawishiwi campground (for an early start), and pushed up to Malberg on that first day. We didn't go up the east arm (opted for west arm/bay), but most sites were taken, with the exception of the 1-star near the Koma portage, the 2-star on the southwest point, and the furthest west site near the River portage. The group behind us, that told us genuinely they were planning for Alice, raced ahead of us on the portage from Koma to Malberg, and ended up snagging the nice far west site about 5 minutes ahead of us. I would not recommend the southwest point site as it is very small, exposed, with 1 tent pad. Great landing but that's about all it has going for it. You might get lucky with a lull in the crowds as you're going right after Memorial Day, but it was pretty much a zoo for us. Consider checking out the island sites on the river, before you turn east to Malberg. They are supposed to be pretty nice and the fishing is supposed to be pretty good around there as well. Malberg is close if you want to check it out, as are Fishdance, Beaver, and Adams (all worth checking out IMO). |
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JD |
IdealTarHeel: "I can actually get a permit for Kawishiwi Lake. Looks like Snowbank to Malberg, single carrying, is around 23 miles and 12-14 hours. Kawishiwi to Malberg, single carrying, is around 11 miles and 6-7 hours. So, even with a 2 hour drive, it would probably be quite a bit faster. Not the way I'd like to start my entry day, plus then you'd have to drive back to Ely if you rented any gear. But... it would get you to your destination faster. I will agree with andym that the route from Snowbank to Malberg would be quite scenic, it just might take you almost twice as long as going in at Kawishiwi. |
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IdealTarHeel |
I have always gone into Ely, MN worked with Piragis, do I need to do anything special if I already have my permit and all the gear? or can we just enter into the BWCA |
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RMinMN |
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JD |
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A1t2o |
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Speckled |
My longest day was from the western end of Crooked Lake all the way out to Fall Lake. We did it in about 10 hours, but we were in kayaks (Rob Roy) and in race shape. If you have the option I would just switch the permit to Kawishiwi...if that's not an option and you really want to explore Malberg for some reason - go for it! |
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andym |
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IdealTarHeel |
If there is a better entry point, please let me know and I will check for available permits. Thanks in advance. The IdealTarheel |
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JD |
You can get to Malberg in about 7-8 hours, double carrying, via Kawishiwi Lake, and that's the route I'd recommend (pending available permits) if you don't have a full week to do a longer loop from Snowbank. You could also go through Lake One to Insula, then Insula to Malberg. |
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straighthairedcurly |
If you want a closer entry point, look at Kawishiwi Lake. |
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IdealTarHeel |
This year I am 58 and he is 25. I am pretty sure he hiked 1-1/2 times farther than I did (being the good loving son that he is not wanting his dad to get too embarrassed) but we did it. I remember one long portage just before Alice Lake (out of Thomas Lake maybe) I thought my son was going to have to carry me. But for most part we did every portage in 1 or 1-1/2 trips (both of us never had to go all the way back, but one of us had to go about 1/2 way back to help me LOL) This year we are really gearing DOWN so we can make every portage in 1 trip. I am not a strong hiker but my canoeing is strong. ALL that being said, and after reading your post, it appears that maybe we have a better than 50/50 chance of making it in one day. Granted a VERY LONG DAY. I have been told the campsites never fill up on Malberg. Is that true? Needless to say that will play a significant role in our planning. MORE FEEDBACK PLEASE. We put into Snowbank in 30 days. The IdealTarHeel |
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IdealTarHeel |
But it looks to be two hours away from Ely, where we are staying. How much shorter is the Kawishiwi Lake EP to Malberg than Snowbank to Malberg? Does it justify the 2 hour drive from Ely? Please help. |
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IdealTarHeel |
Thank you |