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      Trip Report - First trip ever as a solo at 21 yo
 
  Last Visit: 06/28/2024 05:43AM

Entry Point 1 - Trout Lake


view flash version | view topographic map
Trout Lake entry point allows overnight paddle or motor (25 HP max). This entry point is supported by La Croix Ranger Station near the city of Cook, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 30 miles. Access from LakeVermilion via 60-rod canoe portage or 180-rod portage that allows the use of portage wheels. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 12
Elevation: 1381 feet
Latitude: 47.9144
Longitude: -92.3220
Author Message Text
martenskier21
membermember
 
05/17/2024 07:47PM
  
New Trip Report posted by martenskier21

Trip Name: First trip ever as a solo at 21 yo.

Entry Point: 25

Click Here to View Trip Report
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boonie
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
05/17/2024 08:55PM
  
I'm glad to hear you had a good trip and enjoyed it. It's always nice to know how it went for people after they post about their plans. First trips are always a bit of a learning experience and solos have their own vibe. You did well.
quark2222
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
05/17/2024 09:22PM
  
Nice trip and pretty cool you did it solo at the ripe old age of 21. I went on my first trip from Poplar Lake down to Winchell with my ex-wife the summer after I graduated from college in 1976. Great trip, and got the BWCA bug. Been back around 40 times since then, plus a bunch of other times to Lake Vermillion with my family at a resort since then. Have a great career and life.


Tom
ducks
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
05/18/2024 08:48AM
  
Well done! Sounds like you caught the “fever” of both wilderness tripping and solo tripping.


Your trip report is also excellent with great pictures. Thank you for sharing.


And you got it typed up and posted the day after you exited. Very impressive.


Good luck hitting the real world. You’re going to do very well.

Ride EZ
tumblehome
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
05/18/2024 10:18AM
  
I am sooo glad you didn't take the 12' canoe. Your trip report would have been very different. I'm glad at your young age that you did this trip. Life is built on our experiences and as you reflect back on this trip, you will find great wisdom you might not be aware of yet.


If you want to try a solo trip in a lightwwight cedarstrip or wood canvas canoe, let me know.
Tom
LindenTree
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
05/18/2024 10:34AM
  
Good job, glad you had a nice time.

May the rivers be crooked and winding, and your portages lonesome, leading to the most amazing view.
egknuti
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
05/18/2024 12:28PM
  
Congrats on your fist solo! I started soloing when I was 23. Thirty two years later I’m still going strong.
pswith5
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
05/19/2024 12:09PM
  
Nice trip report. Always nice to hear the young are enjoying the bwca.

Without the bad times, the good times wouldn't seem so good.
bfurlow
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
05/20/2024 10:07AM
  
Very nice trip report. I really enjoyed reading it. Couple of long paddle days there but sounds like it was all worth it.
cburton103
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
05/27/2024 07:38PM
  
Congrats on a great first trip! I did my first trip at 22, and this summer will be my 15th trip - one each season, haven’t missed a year yet. It’s a great bug to catch, especially before the real world encumbers you too much. Camping has taught me that it’s more important to have time in wild places than more money (which usually equates to more time working and/or more stress).


Hopefully you’ll take some of what you learned in the wilderness forward with you to positively impact your life and those around you. Cheers on going solo as well. I agree with others here that it sounds like you’ll do plenty well in the real world!
LifeScout
new member
 
05/29/2024 04:45PM
  
Awesome job! Your bravery was rewarded with a profound experience. Your trip was inspiring!
straighthairedcurly
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
05/31/2024 11:27AM
  
Nice trip report and wonderful pictures. So happy that you had a great trip and were able to accomplish many of your goals. Hopefully you will be back for more.
naturboy12
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
06/02/2024 07:29AM
  
Happy for you that everything worked out well and that you were able to upgrade your canoe from your original plans. Best of luck to you as you navigate the next steps- the BW will forever be whispering to you, calling you back to this experience for more.
YardstickAngler
senior membersenior membersenior member
 
06/10/2024 09:18PM
  
Congratulations on a great first solo!


This is a beautiful, honest trip report. I too struggle with wanting to push just a little too hard. I think it takes a few trips to find the best balance, especially with an ever-changing skill level, weather, and priorities. I’m really glad someone helped you with a great solo canoe for your trip! Can’t wait to hear about the next one. There’s a lifetime of exploration up in the BWCA and you’ve only just begun.
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