BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
October 05 2026
Entry Point 38 - Sawbill Lake
Number of Permits per Day: 11
Elevation: 1802 feet
Latitude: 47.8699
Longitude: -90.8858
Sawbill Lake - 38
October night raid on Sawbill
Entry Date:
October 01, 2026
Entry Point:
Sawbill Lake
Number of Days:
4
Group Size:
2
I arrived at Phil's home at 2pm, threw gear into his truck and we were off for Sawbill, an entry neither of us had done before. Our plan, weather permitting, and with the assistance of a Garmin in reach 2 enter around 7-8PM. Plan B was to dirtbag it in the parking lot and enter early on Oct 2.
Conversation on the way up was great and we decided we each needed one more cigar as we were entering Duluth. We found a seedy smoke shop and paid way too much for dried up Cohiba's and then a quick stop in two harbors for Culver's, which was another bad choice. The full parking lot full of classic cars and Coach bus should have told us to go up 61 a little more but we didn't. 45 minutes later we were on the road again. We arrived at the Sawbill entry point at about 830. After checking the conditions, we went full "Leroy Jenkins!" We were off just after 9 PM. My Garmin was mounted to the thwart in front of me and I kept us on the line to the north end of Sawbill where all the 4 stars were. All were occupied until getting into a little back bay where site 917 was and unoccupied.
We unloaded and set up our hammocks before enjoying a fire, cigar and whiskey. After staying up entirely too late, we shut things down at 1230.~Sawbill Lake 
Nautical dawn came early and I began packing up as Phil still slumbered. After everything was packed, I tossed a Rappela into the small bay and quickly produced a skinny Northern, well at least I'm on the board I thought. After a quick breakfast of english muffins with sausage and scrambled egg we were off! The first Portage was easy enough and on through Ada Creek. The second portage into Ada Lake was pretty mucky due to recent rains. After Ada Lake, we were pleasantly surprised that the 90ish rod portage was now passible after a lift over beaver dam #1. Near Skoop lake there is a very small portage. At that end I noticed some used TP... where there's TP there's usually a duce. Yup, right there, on the portage, was human feces. Come on guys, this is Bush league, I guarantee this was not none by a lady. Right next to the pile was the remnants of a campfire. Beaver dam #2 was discovered on Cherokee creek, again it was not too bad.
Moving on, we found our site on Cherokee #888 the large island on the South end of Cherokee. On this site it is rated a 3 but I believe it is a low 4. Just before supper I caught my personal best Northern (i'm a semi casual angler). 
~Sawbill Lake, Ada Lake, Skoop Lake, Cherokee Lake
After sleeping in, we had a brunch of pancakes with butter and bourbon barrel aged maple syrup. We knew weather was approaching so we set up a tarp before napping to the rain falling. We eventually played some cards and made dinner before turning in early. 
We woke early, packed and on the water headed back by 8am. The skies were clearing from the day before, but the wind was gusty and either against us or broadside through the day of paddling. Occasionally it would cease for a small period but then pick up. The last 30 minutes, before coming to the dock at the entry point, the wind kicked up tremendously making it difficult to navigate. I could only rudder while Phil paddled. What a great trip in the books, an entry point to check off. We started home and decided to stop off at my Niece's new apt in Duluth. She is a newly licensed Nurse at one of the hospitals there and was a little homesick. it was great to be back home to see my wife and children.
I checked the stats on the Garmin, our best paddle speed was 3.7mph where it was sheltered. We only slowed to 3.1 through all the gusts and sustained winds. 