BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
September 16 2024
Entry Point 23 - Mudro Lake
Number of Permits per Day: 5
Elevation: 1166 feet
Latitude: 48.0356
Longitude: -91.8301
On the Water- Monday July 20th-
On the water late considering how far we need to go today. Up the Horse river to the falls by 6pm. Started raining and NO campsites available. Mudrow-Alruss-Tin can Mike-Horse Lake-Horse River-Basswood. 13 miles by water. (not counting portages)
Tuesday July 21st-
Rain all night, all morning and all day. Went north by petroglyphs, table rock and the the Crocked Lake Narrows across Thursday bay to campsite. Basswood-Crooked Lake-Wednesday Bay-Thursday Bay. 11 miles in the rain.
Wednesday July 22nd-
Up early and calm winds to take advantage of, considering the big water we have to cross. Found beaver dam to lift over and did a portage from hell between Pandos lake and Chippewa Lake. VERY steep and slippery after rain. Many mud holes. Then the mile portage after Wagosh Lake to Gun Lake. Never saw another soul in a canoe or campsite the entire day! Thursday bay-Friday Bay-Pandos Lake-Chippewa Lake-Wagosh lake-Gun Lake. 11 miles by water.
Thursday July 23rd-
Finally had a dry night. got everything dry!!! A few portages today to Fourtown Lake campsite. Easy day by comparison. Gun Lake-Fairy Lake-Boot Lake-Fourtown Lake. 6 miles. Put the long miles at the first of the week for a buffer for contingencies!
Friday July 24th-
Last day. Stormed last night bad. A few portages today with one bad one between Fourtown Lake and Mudrow lake. To entry point by 1pm. Ready for a hot shower! 4 miles
Total-
45 miles by water
13 miles by portage (3 trips each)
58 miles total.
A journey into serenity
Entry Date:
August 22, 2024
Entry Point:
Fall Lake
Number of Days:
4
Group Size:
7
Prelude in Ely
Our adventure began as we arrived in Ely around 3 PM a day before our permits allowed us to enter the BWCAW. Ely has it's own small-town charm, a fitting prelude to the untouched wilderness that awaited us. We were excited but also slightly anxious, given that most of us were beginners when it came to camping. We were in good hands with Piragis, the outfitting company we chose for our journey.
At Piragis, the rest of our evening was filled with preparations. The staff were thorough, showing us instructional videos, packing our food, and patiently explaining our meal plan and route options. The gear was laid out in front of us, and they walked us through every detail, from setting up our tents to handling the canoes. The 'oar fitting' session was a fun little moment for some of our novice campers. We left Piragis with a wealth of knowledge, a sense of preparedness, and a nervous excitement for the adventure ahead.
After what felt like several hours of prep, we explored the town a bit. The Piragis retail store, with its array of camping gear and the cozy bookstore was a nice little highlight. A stop at Northwoods Coffee provided us with delicious brews and a chance to savor the last bit of civilization. We turned in early at the Paddle Inn motel, eager for the next day's journey.
Thursday, August 22, 2024: Day 1: Into the Wild
The morning of August 22nd dawned crisp and clear. After a quick breakfast at a local deli, we returned to Piragis for final check-ins. The staff’s last-minute advice and help with setting up our fishing gear were reassuring as we set off for Fall Lake, Entry Point 24. The 15-minute drive felt like the calm before the storm, though in reality, it was the calm before serenity.
The moment our canoes touched the waters of Fall Lake, we were enveloped by the tranquility of the Boundary Waters. The stillness was only interrupted by the haphazard dipping of our paddles and the occasional call of a loon. We portaged into Newton Lake, where the scenery seemed to become even more picturesque—forests of pine and birch framed the water like a painting. The Fall Lake falls is an attraction unto itself.
Our final stretch for the day was a 3+ mile canoe trip up Pipestone Bay. The bay opened up in front of us, a vast expanse of shimmering water under a bright sky. The last stretch of our journey turned out to be more precarious than what we had hoped for, rough waters, cross currents and winds rocked our canoes to a point where we felt the need to immediately find a campsite. Our ultimate destination happened to be campsite 1589, a gem nestled by a sandy beach. The first evening was spent setting up camp, a surprisingly smooth process thanks to some of our more experienced campers in the group. We gathered around the campfire, cooked a satisfying meal, and let the day’s exhaustion carry us into a deep, restful sleep. 
Day 2: Embracing the Wilderness
The second day was all about exploration. After a hearty breakfast, we set out to canoe around Pipestone Bay and Basswood Lake. The lakes were alive with wildlife. We spotted bald eagles soaring majestically overhead, common loons gliding on the water, and lake gulls dotting the sky. Each sighting felt like a gift from the wilderness, a reminder of the untouched beauty of the BWCAW.
A short portage and hike brought us to a pristine white lily pond, its still waters reflecting the sky like a mirror. The peace was indescribable, a perfect fusion of nature’s beauty and our own contentment. A light lunch by the pond kept us energized as we returned to our campsite.
The evening brought with it a gourmet dinner, a pleasant surprise given our remote location. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we gathered around the campfire once more. Stories were shared and laughter echoed through the trees. The night sky, unpolluted by city lights, revealed a tapestry of stars that seemed within arm’s reach. We were able to spot the arm of the milky way, identify a multitude of constellations with ease. 
Day 3: The Great Paddle
Day three was our most ambitious, a 10-mile canoe journey that took us to Basswood Falls near the Canadian border. The route was challenging but rewarding. The thrill of navigating the waters, combined with the stunning vistas that unfolded around every bend, made the effort worthwhile. At times, we unknowingly crossed into Canada, a testament to how far removed we were from everyday life.
By the time we returned to our campsite, exhaustion had set in. But it was the good kind of tired—the kind that comes from a day well spent in nature. We collapsed into our sleeping bags, the sound of the lake lulling us to sleep. 
Day 4: Farewell to the Wilderness
The final day came too soon. We packed up our campsite early, making sure to leave it cleaner than we found it—a small token of gratitude to the land that had given us so much. As we paddled back through the lakes, we came up against headwinds and rough waters that tested our energy levels, we couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment mixed with a touch of sadness that our adventure was coming to an end.
Our trip to the BWCAW was magical—its serene landscapes, abundant wildlife, and the simple yet profound joy of disconnecting from the outside world had left an indelible mark on us. The night skies, the clear waters, the camaraderie—it was everything we had hoped for and more. Though our fishing efforts were fruitless, it was a small price to pay for the experiences we gained.
As we drove back to Ely, the town that had been our gateway to this wilderness, we couldn’t help but reflect on the journey. The Boundary Waters had given us not just memories, but a deeper connection to nature. We left with a promise to return someday, to once again paddle through its serene waters and lose ourselves in its tranquil embrace. 
