BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
May 29 2026
Entry Point 16 - Moose/Portage River (North of 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!
1st solo trip
Entry Date:
June 10, 2008
Entry Point:
Fall Lake
Number of Days:
3
Group Size:
1
I just came back from my first solo trip. it was a last minute thing so I took a permit out of Fall lake up to Pipestone bay. Well, it was an eye opener, 1st it was raining and windy. I got started at 4:30 am then (in my own defense it was my 1st time in this area) I lost my way within 5 minutes it wasn't till an hour later I started thinking where the #ell am I, when I realized that I made a mistake right at the beginning, I started to laugh then I started to call myself every name in the book. nothing like getting lost in the early morning in rain and wind. Then I corrected my path and all was right. I am not used to these portages they were like roads the whole way. I trolled on the way in, I caught a walleye in Newton then when I hit Pipestone it was so windy I put the fishing rod away. I found out I like my Prism it handles waves a lot better than my Mad river explorer. This being my 1st solo I wore my PFD all the time and good thing... I took chances, If I were with anybody else they would've talked me out of it. there were times when I was pretty far from shore I questioned my decision but I prevailed. campsite after campsite was taken then finally I got one right after Hidden bay it was pretty nice I rate it 3 out of 5 stars. It was only a 4 hour paddle but after getting started so early and fighting the wind I needed to take a nap. when I woke up the winds calmed down a little so I went out and caught some Smallies and Northerns nothing big but it was a good start. I ran into a group from Iowa they were catching walleyes at the mouth of Hidden bay. I tried to start a fire, but I am disappointed in my fire making skills this day, all the wood was saturated. I give up and I am tired I go to sleep at 8:00 pm.
1 Eagle, 6 Smallies, 2 Northerns and a million mosquitoes.
3 camp robbers, 2 unknown Eagle like birds, no mosquitoes and 1 TICK
1 pleated Woodpecker, Loons and multiple wet sleepless paddlers.
I have a new found respect for solo canoeist's
1 - They are the solely responsible for their actions
2 - you better like yourself because it isn't that easy being by yourself
3 - I had to keep busy and something as simple as a fire made a difference
4 - I know that the weather wasn't the best but I'm not sure if I can do this again. I will try but I'll make sure its on smaller waters and during better weather.