Thinking of a first solo this spring to Fall Lake. I know it's kind of a whimpy trip, but I just want to get a feel for it. Plan to go up to Newton. Set up camp then explore and get used to my canoe. Appreciate any and all suggestions, comments, advice or any words of wisdom. Thank you,Joel p.s. Having a vehicle close is a comfort factor, not a bailout option. 3 days, time- weather will dictate

id choose smallers waters if i was you.

i think a great first solo would be a lizz entry (off the gunflint). smaller waters. basecamp on horseshoe or gaskin and daytrip from there. alot of possibilities for those in that area.

Thanks Jan, I'll check it out. Looks like a nice route for a 1st trip.

I agree with Jan on the smaller waters, although I'm not familiar with that entry. The wind is a bigger factor when you're paddling solo. Otherwise, I think it's a good idea to make the first trip an easy shakedown trip. It's more work solo, so not planning an aggressive route is smart. You'll know a lot more after the first one.

and the lizz entry will help you judge packing and portaging too. it isnt just a "load the canoe and paddle to the campsite" trip. i think thats important. getting to horseshoe is just a few walks in the park....easy.

i like jan's idea of lizz to horseshoe. nice small lakes, 3 short and easy portages and you're only a couple hours from your car. if you want to be even closer to the car you could stop one lake sooner on Caribou. from a basecamp on caribou/horseshoe there are lots of other lakes to explore. there's some good campsite/fishing info of this area on the maps section on the site.

30 or so years ago, my first solos trips and several trips with my young sons were in early June from Lake 1, South Kawishiwi and Seagull...led to many great journeys ever since...hope you have similar great experiences as I've been fortunate enough to have...

After checking this route (here,maps,books) I can't see a down side. Other than Poplar wind should be no problem. 2 short portages and the options begin. Lots of small lakes to explore. Sights to see, nice waters to practice on. A big reason I like this site. Don't know why I locked in on the Ely side, but this looks perfect. Thanks Jan and all, now the new to me job of planning a solo trip. Lots to think about- cold water, gear, menu. Makes a long winter shorter. Oh yeah, I better get the new Magic set up too.

do a daytrip to vista. its a transition lake....from low shorelines to tall hills. pretty cool.

go to Fall Lake,i would stay in the camp ground when you arrive and leave early in the AM for Pipestone Bay.the carrys are open and easy and the only big water to cross is between the Mile Island the landing side of Fall Lake.you may as well get used to crossing open water and Fall is tiny compared to Bayley or North Bay on Basswood.the SE side of Pipestone is a great place to shoreline with lots of islands and points.
you can reserve a site at Fall Lake,have a look at Reserve America.having a place secure when you pull in makes the drive up more relaxing.before i did that i was worried that i would have to find a motel,expensive,or pull down a old logging road and sleep in the car.
once your in Pipestone Bay you may want to paddle up to Basswood or Jackfish Bay just to have a look at really big water.when i was younger and had the BW fever i would make the run up from Minneapolis just to get one or two nights in Pipestone.thats when you could get a permit in the mail and did not have to work around the ranger stations office hours.

Plenty of small water options out of Ely. You could even car-camp at the Fall Lake campground and hit a couple of them. I do this quite often, here's a sample of where I've been:

Fall-Newton-Pipestone Bay
Fall-Mud-Ella Hall
Little Gabbro-South Kawishiwi
South Kawishiwi back towards Birch Lake
Lake One west down the Kawishiwi
Lake One west from the EP and then back to the car via Lake One
Little Indian Sioux up to Devils Cascade on Lower Pauness

Also, Fall can get rough but it's typically when there is a strong west wind. Going to/from Newton there is only a short stretch from the boat launch to Mile Island that doesn't have much in the way of shoreline protection.

JD

My biggest fear on going on a solo in one of the "big" lakes was not wind, but motor boats. They are allowed on Fall Lake. And believe me, some of those people in motorboats haven't a clue.

I camped one night on Fall Lake at the campground prior to my 8-night solo. Lots of motorboats. Even in May.

If you want to do a solo, and still have some people about "just in case," consider an area with a few more people and no motors.

Lots of ideas, but thats good. Helps shorten a long winter. Thanks.

Poplar lake can get real bad wind at times. Its a long way from the landing to the portage. This past August we had a hard time paddling from the portage to the take out landing in tandem canoes. I don't think I would have attempted it in my solo.

I would like to suggest the cross bay entry point #50 for a first solo. Some river type canoeing with smaller lakes and portages that are not to bad. Lot of options for trips. On my trip there I base camped on Long Island lake and did day trips to Cherokee and Frost lake areas. I thought this was a great area, I plan on going back again sometime.

Just a few thoughts. Have fun planning.

tony