BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
January 15 2025
Entry Point 39 - Baker Lake
Baker Lake entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Tofte Ranger Station near the city of Tofte, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 26 miles. Access is a boat landing at Baker Lake with a 10-rod portage into Peterson Lake to reach first campsite. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.
Number of Permits per Day: 2
Elevation: 1497 feet
Latitude: 47.8452
Longitude: -90.8169
Summary: A 5-day loop from Baker up the Temperance lakes to Cherokee, and back through Sawbill and Smoke lakes back to Baker. A fairly difficult trip.
Day 0: We drove up from Stillwater in the morning and camped at one of the 5 walk-in campsites at Baker Lake, and it was nice.
Day 1 (Baker to S. Temperance) - A beautiful day, we decided to paddle all the way to South Temperance the first day which was a great paddle with easy portages except for the last one. We picked the campsite on top of a huge rock that was close to the middle of the lake. Tried fishing some but no luck
Day 2 (Rest) - In the night, we encountered the worst storm of the entire season. While we were there 19 people had to be rescued from the BWCA. We had about 50mph straightline winds, and I'm still surprised that the huge tent we had stood up to it. We slept in and took a rest day because of the intense winds. Amazingly beautiful sunset.
Day 3 (S. Temperance to Cherokee) - We left as early as we could to beat the heat, but it was no good. The lengthy, hilly portages were challenging and by the last portage we were pretty beat. We overpacked and single portaged which led us to speedier exhaustion. Still amazing weather. North Temperance was a beaut- I wish we had stayed there instead of South. We took the southeasterly facing campsite on Cherokee on the southeastern skinny island. Neat little site.
Day 4 (Cherokee to Sawbill) - Left a little later in the day but it was ok. We took our time going down the river letting out of the southwest part of Cherokee and it was a great area. BEWARE: The area between Ada and Skoop Lakes appears to be floatable, but a dam built recently has made the portion impossible to float. Be prepared for a long portage through muck and water. A guy that we saw there said he had been going to the BWCA for 40 years at least once per year and it was the worst portage he had ever seen. By the time we got to Sawbill it was pretty hot. We paddled all the way down to the site next to the portage onto Smoke.
Day 5 (Sawbill to Baker) - Cooler, cloudier weather for the first time on the trip. We were pretty hungry (I underpacked food a little and I felt really bad) and we were taunting each other with vivid descriptions of the burgers we were going to eat ASAP after getting out. We paddled back to Baker and returned our gear to Sawtooth outfitters.
Overall great route.
Number of Permits per Day: 2
Elevation: 1497 feet
Latitude: 47.8452
Longitude: -90.8169
Summary: A 5-day loop from Baker up the Temperance lakes to Cherokee, and back through Sawbill and Smoke lakes back to Baker. A fairly difficult trip.
Day 0: We drove up from Stillwater in the morning and camped at one of the 5 walk-in campsites at Baker Lake, and it was nice.
Day 1 (Baker to S. Temperance) - A beautiful day, we decided to paddle all the way to South Temperance the first day which was a great paddle with easy portages except for the last one. We picked the campsite on top of a huge rock that was close to the middle of the lake. Tried fishing some but no luck
Day 2 (Rest) - In the night, we encountered the worst storm of the entire season. While we were there 19 people had to be rescued from the BWCA. We had about 50mph straightline winds, and I'm still surprised that the huge tent we had stood up to it. We slept in and took a rest day because of the intense winds. Amazingly beautiful sunset.
Day 3 (S. Temperance to Cherokee) - We left as early as we could to beat the heat, but it was no good. The lengthy, hilly portages were challenging and by the last portage we were pretty beat. We overpacked and single portaged which led us to speedier exhaustion. Still amazing weather. North Temperance was a beaut- I wish we had stayed there instead of South. We took the southeasterly facing campsite on Cherokee on the southeastern skinny island. Neat little site.
Day 4 (Cherokee to Sawbill) - Left a little later in the day but it was ok. We took our time going down the river letting out of the southwest part of Cherokee and it was a great area. BEWARE: The area between Ada and Skoop Lakes appears to be floatable, but a dam built recently has made the portion impossible to float. Be prepared for a long portage through muck and water. A guy that we saw there said he had been going to the BWCA for 40 years at least once per year and it was the worst portage he had ever seen. By the time we got to Sawbill it was pretty hot. We paddled all the way down to the site next to the portage onto Smoke.
Day 5 (Sawbill to Baker) - Cooler, cloudier weather for the first time on the trip. We were pretty hungry (I underpacked food a little and I felt really bad) and we were taunting each other with vivid descriptions of the burgers we were going to eat ASAP after getting out. We paddled back to Baker and returned our gear to Sawtooth outfitters.
Overall great route.
Gabbro, Bald Eagle, First solo
by Parnell
Trip Report
Entry Date:
September 05, 2008
Entry Point:
Little Gabbro Lake
Number of Days:
4
Group Size:
1
Trip Introduction:
This was my first solo trip
Day 1 of 4
Friday, September 05, 2008 
Day 2 of 4
Saturday, September 06, Sleeping in my hammock setup was much better then I thought. I kept hearing things all night, having bear thoughts, but it was very comfortable and cozy. Had coffee and was off exploring, as I don’t fish much. Rain off and on all three days so I had to be prepared. Black clouds around me all day as I paddled into Eagle Lake and back. Hung out on the island camp and relaxed. 
Day 3 of 4
Sunday, September 07,Got up after a rainy night and made oatmeal to warm up the bones in my body. The noa weather said it got down to the low 30’s last night. At this point I paddled into some of the bays off of Gabbro and gathered wood along the way for another cold night. I think the next time I solo I will pick up camp and move on rather then staying in one place. I feel like I need to move on a loop up to Turtle or something like that, but the heel spur that has been bothering me all summer is acting up again. I hang around the island the rest of the afternoon and take pictures. A rainstorm with high winds move in and I watch two canoes struggle to get to shore. Fire to soothe me and darkness sets in… I am alone. I wonder what my family is doing and did my 11 yr. old son win his first football game yesterday? 
Day 4 of 4
Monday, September 08, Chilled out all day on the island as it was very windy and the waves were splashing. Gathered more wood for the fire tonight because when it gets dark up here it’s the only thing I can really look forward to along with a hot dinner. I was able to get one faint radio station at about 7pm and low and behold it was the season opener, Packers and the Vikings. Not so lonely tonight listening to the game and having a cocktail with angle hair pasta and red sauce. Bed early and packing up early to beat any rain that could develop like it’s been all week[paragraph break] I really enjoyed being alone in the BWCA. Talk about building up your confidence. I felt like I recharged my human batteries and could face any challenge back at home. This website was a gem, thanks to all who helped! Next year my 11 yr. old will come along. 
discuss this trip report (6 comments) - last post on October 20, 2009