Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: 3-4 days with 5 & 2 year olds
|
Author | Message Text | ||
KjerJoy |
Our 10 year old has been doing trips with us since she was 5.5 and the 3 year old since he was 14 months. We like the Sawbill and Kawishiwi Lake entry points with kids, partially due to the closer location out of Tofte vs. the longer drive through Gunflint Trail, but also they've proven to be good lakes for kids as they're a bit smaller. The first trip with our daughter at 5.5 we did Kawishiwi to Polly lake and that was very doable with her, though we had to carry her pack for most of it. The next couple trips we did out of Sawbill, one of them we camped on the north end of Sawbill (no portages!) and that was really enjoyable. She was about 6.5 at the time. When she was 9 and he was 14 months, we did Sawbill to Alton and just stayed on Alton. The portage is very short and we loved our campsite on Alton. We did bring grandparents with on that trip which was a huge help with the 14 month old. Last year when they were 9.5 and just over 2, we did Kawishiwi to Polly again, with 3 grandparents and that proved to be a bit much for us. The little one was carried for every portage and with 7 people we just had a ton of gear. My recommendation would be to think about Kawishiwi Lake entry, but perhaps camp on Kawishiwi or maybe Kawaschong. The Kawaschong sites are near the burn area, so the landscape is a bit different. As others have mentioned, you could daytrip up to Polly if you wanted. Otherwise, if you can snag a Sawbill permit, that would be a very doable trip with little ones, either staying on Sawbill or doing a short portage to Alton or another lake. Lastly, the advice of possibly staying at the Sawbill Campground is a good option and then just doing daytrips into the BWCA. The Sawbill campground is pretty nice, and they have amenities like a little store and showers. Would be a good first "BWCA" experience for the kids, especially if they haven't done a ton of canoeing. Bring ALL the snacks for the kids. Suckers, fruit snacks, anything "fun" is a huge win to keep them calm in a canoe if they're starting to lose it. Bring extra clothes, I've found that they need them. A tiny tent broom and dustpan was a massive hit with the 2 year old last summer. Bringing kids is definitely more work, but rewarding when they ask in the middle of winter, "when can we go to the Boundary Waters again?" Good luck! |
||
tigag |
|
||
lyontyl |
We absolutely love Hog Creek access to Perent Lake with kids. It's a super easy paddle, relatively safe with very little deep water until you get to Perent and not a lot of portaging at all. We found it to be perfect for a great family adventure with the girls. Fishing was really good to! |
||
Michwall2 |
First, to correct what may be a misconception, you cannot camp at a portage. Only designated campsites with a latrine and fire grate are places to camp. Taking a quick look at available permits during your time frame, I think these might be your best options: 1. Cross Bay Lake entry. (#50) There are campsites on Ham Lake which is outside the BWCAW. To continue on to do day trips inside the BWCAW you would need to complete a day use permit each day. (Take several with you from the entry.) Drop the carbons at the box when you exit. You can also continue on into the BW proper on a permit and do day trips from say Cross Bay Lake. Cross Bay has a waterfall, but have heard that it may be intermittent. 2. Homer Lake (#40) - This is a very little visited corner of the BW. It is almost a dead end corner. It would be great for your use. Day trip down the Vern River as far as you dare. There are other day trip possibilities as well. 3. Kawishiwi Lake (#37) - There are campsites right on Kawishiwi Lake. Or there is a long paddle with very minimal portaging until you get to Kawasachong Lake. From there you can day trip to Polly Lake or back to Square Lake. You will be in the Pagami Creek Fire burn area. So if that spooks you, try another spot. 4. Today there is one permit on July 10 for Little Indian Sioux North (LIS North #14). There are a couple of portages to get you to Upper Pauness Lake, but there are great day trips from this spot. Devils Cascade, Shell Lake, Loon Lake, Lynx Lake. 5. I have tried to suggest smaller water, but if you have good paddling skills and a little wind and bigger waves don't bother you, then Brule Lake may be your answer. There are a lot of day trip possibilities. You could hustle up to the Cone Lakes to get onto some smaller water as well. 6. Another option that I think you should consider is camping at Sawbill Lake campground and doing day trips from there. Same deal. Complete a day use permit for each day you visit the BW. You can visit the Baker Lake entry from Sawbill Campground for a day trip and also the Kawishiwi Lake entry. But Sawbill has a nice variety of day trips all on its own. There are some great threads here on canoe tripping with youngsters. Use the search function to find them. Lots of ideas for keeping them happy and engaged. Hope your family has fun. |
||
WilyMinnow |
We did Kawishiwi River last year with the kids last year, but even that was pushing the boundaries with the little ones as far as paddling and portaging. Brule lake would be another worth looking into - I am bringing my two boys (6 and 9) there with our group in August. I would second bringing LOTS of snacks. And when you think you've got way too much, pack a few more... Kids get hungry and keeping their bellies full will ensure a fun trip. Having a few treats in your pocket to toss at them so dad can take "just a few more casts" is also a power move if the fishing is good. We always make sure to pack a lot "surprise" snacks for the kids - the look on their little faces when you pull out a bag of goodies that they had no idea you were stashing is always priceless. Last but not least, invest in or rent a bug tarp. Nothing can ruin your trip like unrelenting black flies and mosquitos. Having a place to get relief from bugs is absolutely paramount for kid camping. Otherwise be safe and enjoy! |
||
KarlK |
|
||
Z4K |
SNF "Fee" and "Rustic" Campgrounds Gunflint and Tofte Ranger District Backcountry Sites Kawishiwi District Backcountry Sites |
||
prettypaddle |
|
||
MarshallPrime |
Easy portages, not far, a couple good day trips. We stayed at (and have worked with for a long time) Tuscarora outfitters on Round lake off of the Gunflint trail. We staying in the Cabins they offer which are rustic but very clean and nice. Then we did day trips around that area and rode our bikes around Round lake...our kids were....6 and 5ish. Great trip. |
||
Blatz |
|
||
HighnDry |
|
||
Relaxmerlo |
Planning a trip July 5-15. Hitting Boundary Waters for 5 days. We'd like to car camp for a day when we arrive and then paddle in, set camp at the first portage and then do day trips. We've never been to the area. Anyone have suggestions of a good place to do a trip like this in BW? Kids are good swimmers. We like throwing rocks, making fires, and hiking/paddleing to waterfalls. Thanks in advance! |
||
Jackfish |
A trip turns into a death march for the kids if the parents think they can put on miles and do lots of portages. Make sure you feed them well, too. Be sure to include a special treat - maybe hot dogs over the fire, s'mores, something like that - because they'll probably talk about it for years. ("Remember when we roasted marshmallows over the fire on the canoe trip?") Have fun! |
||
Relaxmerlo |
Hope we can get a good idea for basecamp in this thread. BC we have no idea where to land. |
||
Relaxmerlo |
|
||
Tony |
Tony |
||
billconner |
You could look at rec.gov to see what's available for your dates today and ask here if they fit your goals. Just a different thought there are some SNF campgrounds that have walk in and canoe in sites - at least Make Jeannette - that are reservable and would permit day trips. I envy you. Hope I can do it in a few years with grandson! |
||
andym |
|
||
Relaxmerlo |
|
||
YaMarVa |
|
||
Relaxmerlo |
If you have any other suggestions, please send them too! very much appreciated! |