BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
September 17 2025
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!
BWCA Man Trip Extravaganza
by JulianPhan
Trip Report
Entry Date:
July 29, 2014
Entry Point:
Snowbank Lake
Number of Days:
6
Group Size:
4
Trip Introduction:
Just got back from Snowbank last Sunday.
Day 1 of 6
Tuesday, July 29, 2014 We set out for the Bwca around 9ish. We live in Rochester, MN so the drive to Ely is about 5 hours. We had 3 duluth packs, 1 hiking pack, and 1 Alumacraft.
We stopped in duluth to check out the sites and I also picked up a map from the Duluth Pack store. From Duluth we headed to Ely and it showered a little bit on the way there. From there we headed to Smitty's and arrived around 8. The Smitty's were very friendly and then headed to the bunkhouse to plan and rest for the long day ahead of us. 
Day 2 of 6
Wednesday, July 30, 2014 Woke up at 6am and started getting everything ready. Ate bacon and eggs and drove to Kawishiwi to pick up the permit. Our plan was to depart from Snowbank from Smitty's and try to make it to Thomas lake through disappointment . I had read that it takes 6 hours to make it there but didn't factor in that we had 2 aluminum canoes and left relatively late (9 a.m). 
After the very long 10 hour canoe/portage we made camp on Ima. We were exhausted and got pretty frustrated because almost all the campsites were booked but we managed to find one near the portage to Hatchet. We got settled in, ate steaks then went to bed.
After the very long 10 hour canoe/portage we made camp on Ima. We were exhausted and got pretty frustrated because almost all the campsites were booked but we managed to find one near the portage to Hatchet. We got settled in, ate steaks then went to bed.
Day 3 of 6
Thursday, July 31, 2014 I woke up first right when the sun came out and decided to go fishing by myself. I creeped into this bay I saw what I assumed was a pretty decent pike splash the top of the water. I casts over there but with no luck. I continued to fish and right before I headed back to camp I managed to catch one eater size pike in between a saddle. I was pretty stoked since it was my first catch of the trip and of the bwca. Put in on a stringer and headed back to camp to start the day.[paragraph break] 
Left the campsite to a bigger bay tucked in the back to go swimming and hang until prime time fishing in the evening. 
That night we ate spaghetti and pike.
Left the campsite to a bigger bay tucked in the back to go swimming and hang until prime time fishing in the evening. That night we ate spaghetti and pike.
Day 4 of 6
Friday, August 01, 2014 Woke up and ate breakfast and then went to Thomas for a day trip. Fished and swam pretty much all day then headed to Hatchet to try to catch some walleyes. We got to hatchet and stayed there all evening until it was pitch black. Luke had 3 pike on with his white curly tail but lost them all. Zach and I managed to catch 2 walleyes each with neon green raps. We only got 2 eater size. After being destroyed by the mosquitos we headed back to camp.
Day 5 of 6
Saturday, August 02, 2014 Luke, Zach, and I stayed up all night and headed out to do some early morning fishing. Luke redeemed himself by catching a eater size walleye. 
I strung up the walleye and we all just crashed in our sleeping bags. We woke up at 10 a.m and packed everything up. After consulting we did not wanna go the same route we did getting to Ima so instead of going back towards disappointment we went west towards abinodji and boot. We left camp at 3p.m and got to boot at around 8. 
I strung up the walleye and we all just crashed in our sleeping bags. We woke up at 10 a.m and packed everything up. After consulting we did not wanna go the same route we did getting to Ima so instead of going back towards disappointment we went west towards abinodji and boot. We left camp at 3p.m and got to boot at around 8.
Day 6 of 6
Sunday, August 03, 2014 Everything was packed and ready to go so we set out for Smitty's at 11 and got there at 2:30. Some clouds but mostly sunny. We packed everything up and headed home.[paragraph break] All and all we loved this trip. It was a good way to enjoy our last summer together before we have to part ways. The BWCAW is an amazing place and we all feel so fortunate to have some so awesome be so close to us. I would like to thank everyone on this site. Everyone here is super chill and for the most part bad a**. Thanks for helping me gather the info to plan this trip and future ones!!!
discuss this trip report (1 comments) - last post on August 10, 2014