BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
January 15 2026
Entry Point 32 - South Kawishiwi River
Number of Permits per Day: 2
Elevation: 1201 feet
Latitude: 47.8419
Longitude: -91.6632
South Kawishiwi River - 32
South Kiwishiwi/Kiwishiwi Triangle
Entry Date:
October 01, 2022
Entry Point:
South Kawishiwi River
Number of Days:
4
Group Size:
2
We left the Mankato Minnesota area just after 6am to make for a comfortable arrival time at our campsite. Travel was easy and our arrival at EP 32 was about noon. We did stop a time or two, but not for long. The wilderness calls.
The portage was as usual for EP32. There are some good colors in the trees, the lake is calm and there is no need for jackets yet. We were able to pull through the rapids near the portage by campsite 1701 without much trouble. As we reached the rapids by campsite 1131, we were able to paddle up the narrows on the right of the island. 1131 is almost always occupied. This time as well. We checked a few sites around the corner and happily settled at campsite 1130. Aaron brought steak for dinner. Firewood was easy to come by and it was a comfortable evening to settle in and relax. Our plan was to do an ambitious day trip around the Kawishiwi Triangle after breakfast tomorrow. We poured over the map before heading to bed. Aaron hangs his custom, home-made hammock and I spread out in a 2P tent. 
We awoke to the sound of Trumpeter Swans murmuring in the small bay to our West. Aaron though it was me making low noises, trying to coax him out of his hammock. We gathered our breakfast and coffee and ate on the big rock peninsula that we dubbed "breakfast rock" or something of the like. We didn't need the campfire and packed our own chairs. It didn't seem like a question whether we camp tucked in at the 'kitchen' or down at the water's edge with a view of the sunrise.
After gathering necessary safety gear and food, we packed the Alumacraft canoe for the clockwise trip around The Triangle. Neither of us had paddled much of The Triangle, but our experience told us that barring injury, we should be able to complete the route in a day. The morning was cool, but after the 62 rods into Clear Lake, we were stripping off layers. Clear Lake was calm and held small ducks and the skies lost the few, high clouds that were aloft. The bright sun really brought out the most vivid hues among the trees that were changing.
Our plan included attempting to find the seldom traveled portage to Greenstone Lake. We did manage to find the portage landing and hauled the Aluminum beast ashore. We started off, leaving most everything at the shore edge. Noting there was quite a lot of poison ivy nearby, we cautiously entered the overgrown trail. If it were not autumn with some of the grasses dying, I doubt we would have attempted this portage very far. Once we climbed away from the lake the poison ivy disappeared, unable to grow well under the canopy, I suppose. The climb was exactly that. A CLIMB! We didn't have to scramble. Everything could be navigated on foot alone. I suspect only the strong and/or foolish actually portage gear to Greenstone. Our efforts were rewarded with some fantastic Maples that painted our route to the other side.
Upon our return to the Kawishiwi, we enjoyed what was to become one of Aarons favorite travel meals. A salmon (or tuna) salad with Triscuits and celery. It was a strategic stop before our longest portage with the 70 odd pound Alumacraft. It was a beast of a portage, mostly because of the weight of the canoe. We split the canoe hauling duty at half way. Never again. (well at least not without a kevlar)
At the East end of the portage the world shrunk a bit. Our conversation with the men we encountered led to the discovery that one of the gentleman's mother was my keyboarding teacher in 6th grade.
Aaron and I enjoyed all kinds of topics of conversation as we paddled East and then Southwest. We floated the rapids at the 11 rod portage #662 . Not something I would strongly recommend, but we had the tank, so we risked it. I don't actually recall the next portage, but we floated or lined through that as well. Having made good time, instead of going straight back to base camp, we skipped portage #648 and went three tenths of a mile SW to the campsite #1128. It's not a great site overall and a zero for hammockers.
By 4oclock we had landed back at camp and began our business of prepping food and gathering wood. A condensed raft of driftwood deposited by the spring flooding was the unexpected treasure we found in and behind the low bushes on the shore opposite our camp.
Aaron brought home made smoked pork for our burritos with grilled peppers and onions. Mmm Mmm! Our conversation at the campfire that evening went until true dark. I'm sure we both could have enjoyed it much longer, but the effort of the day on The Triangle sent us to bed. (and the bold mice at our feet may have played into that too). 
Our day started with the Trumpeter Swans again. They earned our fondness on this trip. Like neighbors, they greeted at the beginning and end of each day as we went about our own business.
Today would be a day of rest. Leisurely breakfast on the rock by the water. Leisurely fire building. "For ambiance". Leisurely naps, leisurely tinkering. You see the pattern. The clouds had moved in overnight, but so did unusually warm temperatures. There were even a few bugs about. We did manage to leave camp a bit in the afternoon. We were in no hurry and explored just a bit West and then South to see the sights and evaluate the one campsite and portage in that direction.
This was the first time I entered the BW without any fishing gear. There was something freeing about it, honestly. We came packed for comfort and relaxation.
Relax we did, but both of us have a tinker gene that keeps our minds and hands busy. The stones around the fire grate were arranged in a way the lent to significant human erosion from foot traffic on the back side of the fixture. We don't claim to be trained in maintenance, but we did move a few flat rocks from the area to the affected portion. A few 'pavers' as they were, would stop the undermining at the rear base of the stonework. Not exactly LNT, but a far cry from the live cut trees we observed at camp.
I don't remember supper that night, but I do remember the Cherries Jubilee that I attempted. The process was a success, but the sweetness was off the charts! I don't think I've ever seen Aaron not eat something to the last bite. We both left some on our plates and I made notes to modify the dessert to be much less sweet!
As nightfall set in, the glow of the campfire kept our gaze long into the night. We endured the mice that explored our kitchen for a bit before deciding to forage elsewhere. Aside from the mice, it was agreed that this would be a top 3 trip, maybe forever. I don't recall the temperature, but I fell asleep that night, atop my sleeping bag. 
Our last Trumpeter Swan alarm clock did not disappoint. But the realization that our trip was coming do an end loomed over us.
Our last breakfast on the rock finished and gear loaded in the canoe, we pushed off into the lake, onto the blue road leading home.
The wind was calm every day, but this morning, all the way to the EP, there wasn't a breath of air and the water was glassy smooth. Approaching rapids were almost intrusive to our ears. They are simple rapids, but the quiet of the morning in juxtaposition to the sound of breaking water was striking. Both times we were able to float the rapids and skip the portages. A blessing for ease of travel, but hurrying to the end of this beautiful trip was not a priority.
I don't recall anything outstanding after the rapids. We exited the BW around noon and had the most vivid drive back to civilization. I think we must have hit peak autumn colors for our drive on HWY 1. 
