BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
January 07 2025
Entry Point 16 - Moose/Portage River (North of Echo Trail)
Moose/Portage River (north) entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by La Croix Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 27 miles. Access is a 160-rod portage heading North from the Echo Trail.
Number of Permits per Day: 5
Elevation: 1348 feet
Latitude: 48.1230
Longitude: -92.0991
A favorite route offering many trip options and memorable things to see including;
World Class fishing for all four BWCA Species
Pictographs
Soaring granite hills and cliffs
Small lakes
Small rivers
Tumbling rapids and waterfalls
Wildlife, including Moose
Vistas from high points across the region if you're willing to climb. Rating Easy to Moderate. Day One. Get to EP16 off of the Echo Trail early. The initial portage is long, but well worn and smooth, sloping gently downgrade to the launch area. Load your canoe and head North. You'll be paddling with the slight current on this narrow winding river. The water is clear and make sure to tell the bowperson to watch for looming rocks!
Number of Permits per Day: 5
Elevation: 1348 feet
Latitude: 48.1230
Longitude: -92.0991
A favorite route offering many trip options and memorable things to see including;
World Class fishing for all four BWCA Species
Pictographs
Soaring granite hills and cliffs
Small lakes
Small rivers
Tumbling rapids and waterfalls
Wildlife, including Moose
Vistas from high points across the region if you're willing to climb. Rating Easy to Moderate. Day One. Get to EP16 off of the Echo Trail early. The initial portage is long, but well worn and smooth, sloping gently downgrade to the launch area. Load your canoe and head North. You'll be paddling with the slight current on this narrow winding river. The water is clear and make sure to tell the bowperson to watch for looming rocks!
Western Lac La Croix and Lakes to the South
by wrestlencanoe
Trip Report
Entry Date:
June 21, 2016
Entry Point:
Little Indian Sioux River (north)
Number of Days:
9
Group Size:
9
Trip Introduction:
June 20,2016 Drive from Iowa to Crane Lake, Minnesota. Meet up with other trip members and get permits from Anderson Outfitters. We have a group beginning of 9 but because of work and school commitments 4 will be getting a tow out of LaCroix after 4 nights. 5 of us will be staying and paddling out on June 29th. Because of this we get 2 separate permits for LIS North. While at Crane lake we hike the trail to the Vermillion River Gorge(Recommend) and stay the night at the Pine Ridge Motel. Beth at the Pine Ridge Motel gave us a coupon for 10% off dinner at the Trails End Resort on Echo Lake. The food and service was very good and recommend it.
slide show of the trip can be found here https://youtu.be/3-K05J4kASA
Report
June 21, 2016 Up early and we get a quick start at LIS North Entry 14. Everything goes well but by the time we hit Loon Lake the wind picks up. It is a battle but we are able to manage it. We make it to Beatty Portage by 1 pm and our plan is to stop at Snow bay on LaCroix for a few nights. The wind is blowing at about 25mph directly into the portage and with big Lac La Croix the waves are really big. We reluctantly decide to go back to Loon for a site for the night.
June 22, 2016 -June 29, 2016 We are able to get on beautiful LaCroix and paddle, fish, explore its many bays and lakes to the south. On June 25, 4 members of our group meet a shuttle boat from Andersons to take them back to Crane Lake. 5 of us remain and we take our time exploring and getting back to Entry 14 LIS North on June 29. A video slide show of the trip can be found here https://youtu.be/3-K05J4kASA
discuss this trip report (1 comments) - last post on December 27, 2016