BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
May 29 2026
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!
Ella Hall through Fall lake entry point 24
by Scottdub3
Trip Report
Entry Date:
June 12, 2023
Entry Point:
Fall Lake
Number of Days:
3
Group Size:
4
Trip Introduction:
Great fishing-tough portage and lots of bugs
Report
Mainly a fishing trip, so we had fishing gear along with camping gear. Entry at fall lake was beautiful and we portaged from fall up to Ella Hall, about 2 miles. Brutal portage. We did not have wheels and the area where the beaver has built a dam is not walkable. We had to get in canoes and paddle. About a 1 hour 45 min portage. Once on Ella hall the the two closest campsites were not there. On the map, these are the ones at the back of the first cove to the left of the entry and the one on the point directly across from the entry. So there are 3 campsites out there. They were all used and we were demoralized that we would be portaging back out to go back to fall. One group was packing up and we asked if they were leaving and luckily they were. We were able to set up camp and get on the water. Fishing was excellent. Lots of good smallmouth and large mouth. Mostly caught on worms rigged wacky style, Ned rigs and top water Not many northerns, thank goodness! We were able to have a campfire although the fire band started on the day we left. We kept mosquito nets on the entire time around camp. When the wind wasn’t blowing, the mosquitos were annoying but the fishing made the trip worth it. Caught over 100 total fish in the three days with MANY good ones. 
discuss this trip report (1 comments) - last post on June 15, 2023