BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
January 07 2025
Entry Point 52 - Brant Lake
Brant Lake entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Gunflint Ranger Station near the city of Grand Marais, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 45 miles. Access is a canoe landing at Round Lake with an 85- and a 35-rod portage to Brant Lake. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.
Number of Permits per Day: 4
Elevation: 1500 feet
Latitude: 48.0692
Longitude: -90.8455
Brant to Tuscarora via Little Sag Route:
Round
Brant
Bat - Mud
Gillis - burn area is evident:
French
Peter - first lake trout:
Virgin
Little Sag - green trees again!
Mora - gorgeous divide of burn and green
Crooked
Owl
Tuscarora - second lake trout!
Missing Link - with lighter food pack, the portage is OK
Round
Number of Permits per Day: 4
Elevation: 1500 feet
Latitude: 48.0692
Longitude: -90.8455
Brant to Tuscarora via Little Sag Route:
Round
Brant
Bat - Mud
Gillis - burn area is evident:
French
Peter - first lake trout:
Virgin
Little Sag - green trees again!
Mora - gorgeous divide of burn and green
Crooked
Owl
Tuscarora - second lake trout!
Missing Link - with lighter food pack, the portage is OK
Round
Little Gabbro 2024
by CSB
Trip Report
Entry Date:
June 24, 2024
Entry Point:
Little Gabbro Lake
Number of Days:
4
Group Size:
4
Trip Introduction:
My 3 sons and I just got back from our annual BWCA trip. Initially, we had a permit for Little Vermillion but due to flooding we changed to Little Gabbro. The very end of the portage in is flooded and muddy but not too bad. Expect to get your feet wet. With the water levels so high, it was a little harder to read the maps because islands that are pictured no longer exist and some inlets or bays are now much larger. The currents from the flooded waters made it really challenging and so we didn’t go as far as we had planned. Rather than take the portage toward Clear Lake, we headed east toward Gabbro and ended up setting up base camp at campsite 4, where Little Gabbro and Gabbro meet.
You can see the campsite across the way and people staying there. You can’t hear them though. We had a lot of traffic from people portaging due to the high water levels and desire to avoid the new rapids on Little Gabbro. We really liked the campsite because it’s on the tip of the peninsula so you have a good breeze and views. There are 2 nice sized tent pads which were perfect for us. The latrine leaves to be desired but such is life. Bald eagles and snapping turtles visited as well as some very tame chipmunks.
discuss this trip report (0 comments) - last post on June 28, 2024