BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
July 28 2026
Entry Point 23 - Mudro Lake
Mudro Lake entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Kawishiwi Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 19 miles. Three accesses into Mudro Lake involve portages ranging from 20–185 rods.Easiest access is from private la nd with parking fee.
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.
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.
Ensign May 2026
by birdonbats
Trip Report
Entry Date:
May 24, 2026
Entry Point:
Moose Lake
Number of Days:
4
Group Size:
4
Trip Introduction:
Quick and easy fishing, camping, paddling trip
Report
My friend Kevin, along with my two sons got on the water about 230 PM. The wind was with us as we went north on Moose and Newfound and then east through Splash to Ensign. We like the east side of Ensign for fishing but the first 5 or 6 site we looked at were occupied. We ended up with a choice between sites 1217 and 1218. Let's just say 1217 deserves the 1 rating. Uffda. Who wants to camp on a hill. 1218 was a little better, but no trees or shade anywhere near the tent pads. No fishing on day 1, but we ate very well. Day 2 was rough on fishing. Luckily, my eldest ( the least experienced fisherman ) woke up earlier and caught a few walleye from shore. I think we only caught a couple fish the rest of the day. 85F on May 25th was just wrong and the fish were not biting. Kevin fried the fish we had and it was an excellent dinner. Day 3 we decided to fish only in the morning and the evening. I think it hit 88F. We hung out in the pine tree forest near camp and just shot the breeze while trying to stay cool. We did see a mama bear and her cub on the shore about a 1/4 mile away at dusk. We also had a snowshoe hare in camp and saw eagles, chipmunks, frogs, crayfish, a garter snake and more. The ruffed grouse were very loud as it was mating season. Got on the water by 920 am and to our car back on Moose by 1230. Only 1 short portage ( and a quick little paddle thru a high water portage) and again the wind was with us. Another good trip enjoying nature and the camaraderie of my sons and friend.
discuss this trip report (2 comments) - last post on July 08, 2026