BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
May 30 2026
Entry Point 25 - Moose Lake
Moose Lake entry point allows overnight paddle or motor (25 HP max). This entry point is supported by Kawishiwi Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 21 miles. Access is an boat landing or canoe launch at Moose Lake. Many trip options for paddlers with additional portages. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.
Number of Permits per Day: 27
Elevation: 1356 feet
Latitude: 47.9877
Longitude: -91.4997
Labor day weekend 2024.
Entry point was 25-Moose lake. Went north, and then west onto Ensign Lake. Camped on eastern end of Ensign lake. Very busy and lucky to get a campsite. Day 2, went to Cattyman Falls and on down to Disappointment Lake. All sites full. Had to get off the water due to inclement storm. Ended up on Parent Lake on day 3, western camp site. Beautiful site. Exited from Snowbank lake on day 4. Overall fishing was poor. Some small mouth bass on Parent lake.
Nothing elsewhere. Approximately 20 miles of paddling/portaging. 11 portages in total. Already planning for 2025.
Number of Permits per Day: 27
Elevation: 1356 feet
Latitude: 47.9877
Longitude: -91.4997
Labor day weekend 2024.
Entry point was 25-Moose lake. Went north, and then west onto Ensign Lake. Camped on eastern end of Ensign lake. Very busy and lucky to get a campsite. Day 2, went to Cattyman Falls and on down to Disappointment Lake. All sites full. Had to get off the water due to inclement storm. Ended up on Parent Lake on day 3, western camp site. Beautiful site. Exited from Snowbank lake on day 4. Overall fishing was poor. Some small mouth bass on Parent lake.
Nothing elsewhere. Approximately 20 miles of paddling/portaging. 11 portages in total. Already planning for 2025.
Little Gabbro 2024
by CSB
Trip Report
Entry Date:
June 24, 2024
Entry Point:
Little Gabbro Lake
Number of Days:
4
Group Size:
4
Trip Introduction:
My 3 sons and I just got back from our annual BWCA trip. Initially, we had a permit for Little Vermillion but due to flooding we changed to Little Gabbro. The very end of the portage in is flooded and muddy but not too bad. Expect to get your feet wet. With the water levels so high, it was a little harder to read the maps because islands that are pictured no longer exist and some inlets or bays are now much larger. The currents from the flooded waters made it really challenging and so we didn’t go as far as we had planned. Rather than take the portage toward Clear Lake, we headed east toward Gabbro and ended up setting up base camp at campsite 4, where Little Gabbro and Gabbro meet.
You can see the campsite across the way and people staying there. You can’t hear them though. We had a lot of traffic from people portaging due to the high water levels and desire to avoid the new rapids on Little Gabbro. We really liked the campsite because it’s on the tip of the peninsula so you have a good breeze and views. There are 2 nice sized tent pads which were perfect for us. The latrine leaves to be desired but such is life. Bald eagles and snapping turtles visited as well as some very tame chipmunks.
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