BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
September 07 2024
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.
Kawishiwi to Polly (or The Wettest Trip Ever?)
by fitgers1
Trip Report
Entry Date:
June 19, 2011
Entry Point:
Kawishiwi Lake
Number of Days:
7
Group Size:
4
Trip Introduction:
Plans were started last August after our departure from EP27 on Snowbank. We decided on a south entry. Late 2010 discussions landed on a destination of Polly or Malberg. I was hoping for better fishing and long days so the summer solstice was chosen. Permit applied for and received, we began packing. Very little thought or planning was put into meals this year. Pretty much off the cuff or rather, a quick trip through Cub and off the shelves.
Our trip began Saturday the 18th when Gary and his sons pulled into my driveway about 11:30. We made some last minute "I've got that and those, leave yours" We'll take my cook kit, leave yours here" kind of things and tied the old beer can on top of the van. Off we went. About 1 pm we were finally on I-35 headed north. We exited the freeway in Esko. I pointed out a few things around town, the area I spent 8 years growing up in. We took some back roads to Miller Hill to avoid the Duluth mega project. A stop at Gandor Mtn for a couple last minute items and a new pair of Keens for myself and we were again on our way - all the way to the other side of Hwy 53 to Dairy Queen. One last snack. Up the shore we went. Through the road construction at Split Rock. A stop at Zups in Silver Bay for some more off the shelf meals. One more leg to travel. Finally made it to Tofte around 7:30 pm. It was raining and cold. We originally planned on picking a rental canoe at Sawtooth Outfitters and spending the night at a campground off the Sawbill Trail, however, due to the constant rain we opted for a room at Cliffdwellers and dinner at Bluefin Bay. The rain stopped long enough for us to sit fireside on Superior's shore at Bluefin and enjoy their smore fire. It was nearly dark so back to the hotel room we went to enjoy one last night in a bed.
Day 2 of 7
Sunday, June 19, 2011 I woke up in the hotel room about 6 am. Showered and tried to wake the rest of the crew for the continental breakfast. Not long after we were all enjoying a hearty breakfast while looking over the lake. There was some good conversation with the owner and she tried to sell us the hotel. She is ready to retire and downsize. Give her a call if you are interested. The price sounded reasonable. Showered and fed we left for the outfitter and picked up the second canoe for the trip. We checked in with the rangers and watched the mandatory video. I asked the ranger "Why only plastic? That would last longer in the wild than glass or cans." She stated because it was lighter to carry in and thus easier and lighter for people to carry out. Other than that, she seemed to not really be sure. I'm still not sure why. Anybody know? North we traveled up the Sawbill Trail. West we went down Perent Lake Rd. Screeeeech go the breaks. Wet gravel hits the underside of the van. "Look!" Gary and I say in unison from the front seat. There standing in the middle of the road was a gray wolf. Where's my flippin camera! comes from everyone's mouth. The wolf stares at us for about 1/2 a minute as we look at him and look for cameras. We begins quickly walking toward us and right down the drivers side of the van. I thought he was big. As big or bigger than the mounted wolf at the ranger station. The other guys didn't think so. He trotted down the road and Gary and I jumped out to watch him. About 50 yards behind us he jumped into the woods heading south. That was exciting. Hopefully the rest of the trip would be the same. The rain kept falling. It had been falling since we left Duluth. We arrived at the EP on Kawishiwi about 11. Many boats were headed in while we were loading up to go out. Two boats came in and a guy went to get their truck. The A-hole pulled is big Infinity SUV ten feet from the water so they could load. His truck was less than a paddle from our two canoes. They putted around in the rain and loaded up. I just stared in disbelief at the bonewad for doing that. The loading area is pretty big. You could park at least 10 vehicles in there and this dingledong pulls right up to where we are loading. I suppose all in the name of not having to carry their gear 50 feet from the water. I apologize for sounding a little ticked but I was. Then one of them noticed me staring with a "Your'e a dumbass stare" and I could tell he was talking to his budding about it on the other side of the open door. Sorry, it just kind of pee'd me off. Finally they were loaded with canoes tied and they left. That allowed us the room to finish loading the boats. We put in about 1:30 and began our trek to Polly or Malberg. There was a good breeze, drizzle and rain and the temp was 62 degrees. On the far side of Kawishiwi we made a wrong turn into the last bay (my fault). We should have gone past one more peninsula and then turn. The paddling through the channel to Square Lake was very peaceful and rain free. We passed some beaver lodges, one of which I saw a footprint on. Somebody must have been trying to scare out a beaver. The first portage was a quick one of 20 r to another channel that would take us to Kawasachong Lake. On the north end of a Kawasachong bay we found the portage that would take us to Townline Lake. 190 r portage that none of us were looking forward to. I was not looking forward to it, nor did I think I would make it carrying the old 17' beer can but I made it with only a couple minute stop about a 1/3 of the way across. The Alumacraft was heavy when I set it into Townline. On the way over we met a group leaving. We helped carry a few of their packs as we went back to finish the double portage. Townline is a small lake. Gary threw a line out and caught a 7" perch from the portage. We took about a ten minute break and then crossed Townline. On the north side we came to the neatest little portage entry I have seen yet. I channel that headed inland with a corduroy pier/road on the left side for about 25 yards. Our short jaunt across Townline barely let me catch my breath from the 190 r portage and now it was time for another. 95 rods to Polly. I picked up the heavy and started hiking. A long portage for sure after just doing the previous but the feeling at the end was worth every moment of both portages. Polly Lake! The rain had come and gone, we were all sweating from being overdressed, the water was warm compared to the air. We were there. It was about four after leaving the EP on Kawishiwi. We had kept moving, not too fast or slow as we had plenty of time. Now on the banks of Polly we had to make a decision. Push through to Malberg or base it on Polly and make a day trip to Malberg. Since it was late afternoon and a bear had torn apart a campsite on Malberg a couple weeks before, we opted to stay on Polly. About half the sites on Polly were occupied. We took the site on the north end on a small point looking toward the inlet to the portage to Koma and Malberg. We made camp and had a well deserved dinner in the misty, cold rain. I didn't sleep too well that night. I usually sleep great in the wilderness or anywhere in my tent. It was cold, humid, wet and I was beat. I decided I hated my mummy bag. I couldn't stretch out without putting my arms out of the bag. When I did, I was colder. Temp made it into the very low 40's that night by what we heard on the radio the next morning. I'm sure we hit the 30's. Every muscle above my stomach was aching. I really had no problem with the cold, just that it was so damp. Day one completed. Oh yeah, Mike caught a walleye soon after entering Polly. A sign of good fishing to come?
Day 5 of 7
Monday, June 20, 2011 Monday started out pretty good. It was the best day we had. The morning was cloudy, cold and windy. The weather got a bit better over the day and we were able to get some fishing in. Gary was up first and then myself. The boys were in the sack for a while yet. We had breakfast and watched a beaver swim a short distance away from us. We were slow to get on the water as we were all a bit sore from the voyage in. Fishing that day we caught some northerns and walleye's. Nice 'eyes to. Perfect eating size. We found good fishing on the north end on the west side of the long peninsula. We watched a bald eagle pick up a fish (we had seen one do that same on Kawasachong the day before). The eagle flew over a small island (north center island w/campsite). We were north of the island and couldn't see where the eagle went. All of the sudden we started hearing screeching. Non-stop screeching. It sounded like crazy dinosaurs in a movie. We soon realized it had to be the baby eaglets in the nest eating, perhaps fighting over, their fresh fish dinner that had just been flown in by mom or dad. We caught a late in the day walleye and brought it back to camp. Too late to fry him so we put him on a stringer and tied him to shore. Gary said a snapping turtle might get him but we took a chance. About a 1/2 hour later, I walked over to look at the walleye and sure enough, there was a snapping turtle. It was on top of the 'eye with one front foot holding the fish to the bottom. We shot a few pictures and scared the turtle away. Luckily he haded taken a bite out of the 'eye yet and he was alright. I was surprised at how the turtle could get up to the fish and then hold him down. I would think the fish would have just kept swiming around as far as the stringer would allow. We left the fish and came back 10 minutes later. Again the turtle was there. We decided to let the fish go as we knew he would be turtle food overnight if left there. The sky cleared and we watched the stars and satellites for a couple hours. I enjoyed my first evening in my new ENO hammock. Very relaxing. Later in my tent I listened to KQDS from Duluth. Not my favorite station but I couldn't pick up WELY or Grand Marais without holding the radio up in the air and turned in 5 different directions. Weather report was not good for the next few days. Rain, rain and more rain and even more wind. It wasn't looking good for the home team.
Day 6 of 7
Thursday, June 23, 2011 Sleep much of the morning. Unpack, clean and dry equipment. Wash clothes. Wonder if we should have stayed....on this, the wettest camping trip of my life. Believe me, I've camped a lot. Hey BWCAW! I'll be back!
Day 9 of 7
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 I wake up about 6:30. The wind is still blowing but managable. I put the tarp up, start some water for coffee and wake Gary. I listen to the guys on KQDS talk about the weather. They state that the radar looks like a hurricane with the eye just off the north shore over the great lake. It is drizzling with off and on rain. I tune in WELY for a while. They give the weather report and the woman states "I feel sorry for those in the Boundary Waters right now". I didn't want to hear that. Gary is up and we discuss that which we don't want to discuss. The weather is going to be the same for the next couple days according to the radio. Sun on Friday....when we leave. Stick it out or go home and use our vacation for better things? It starts down pouring and we again head to our tents. I listen to the rain and WELY for an hour or so before falling asleep. Gary has discussed the options with his boys. I am woke up about 11, "Jeff! wake up, the rain has died down, were packing up and headed out". I get up and pack. The temp is in the low 50's. We get the canoes loaded. As I am pushing the canoe out, I slice my thumb open on that damned vodka bottle. I hope the person that brought it and left it gets his thumb sliced off. Trying to do the right thing by taking out someone elses trash and I get a scar for it. After some serious first aid to my thumb, we shove off. It rains and drizzles across Polly. No rain as we make the 95r portage to Townline. We fish Townline for an hour if only because there is no wind on this little lake. It starts to drizzle on the 190 rod trip to Kawasachong. As we get head onto Kawasachong, the rain has stopped. Less wind now. Was the right decision made? Should we have stayed? Should we set up camp here for a couple days? No, not now as everything is wet. Wet tents are no fun. We make the channel to Square lake and fish some pools. We catch a few northerns. A quick 20 rod portage to Square from the channel. I carry both canoes as I want to compare my Alumacraft to the rented kevlar. I like the kevlar. I just might be sold. I made that 190 rods though going in without too much trouble. Perhaps I can just keep my future portages shorter and the beer can will not be an issue. I'm getting older though. Less weight would be nice. Something to consider. We paddle through a quiet Square lake and through the channel to Kawishiwi. Here we find more wind. Not as bad as earlier but still a bear to paddle through. We encounter only one boat heading in as we are leaving. A 21 footer with three guys. It was a nice Wenonah kevlar. I forget the model. Minnesota I think? There was one boat on Polly fishing. One boat on Kawasachong and one on Kawishiwi both fishing out of the wind. I hope they all have better weather. We make the entry about 6:30pm. All alone, we load up and head for Tofte. We drop off the canoe and are told about the road construction by Split Rock. The road is severely rutted and potholed and washing away from the storms. We are advised to take Cty Rd 3 from Beaver Bay to Two Harbors. On the drive down the shore we are amazed at the water flowing down the rivers. We stop just before Beaver Bay and take photos of Beaver River. The falls are amazing. As we are parked on the bridge a truck stops and put out the detour signs. Now we have to take Hwy 3. It moves well until the dirt road part. Rain, mist, fog, potholes - it makes for a slow go. As we get closer to Two Harbors we encounter a lot of traffic going north. I can see it getting backed up from people slowing for the potholes as the southbound traffic has been doing. We make Duluth about 10 pm. We eat and continue south. I am dropped off at home in the metro after 2 am. We dig out my gear, take down the beer can and the rest of the crew heads home. I am beat and tired. I am awake for another two hours thanks to all the coffee and mountain dew on the way home. A good trip all in all. Just, sadly cut short. That's alright though as I will be back in July or August. Headed to Kelly Lake with my girlfriend for her first trip into the wilderness. She doesn't like spiders. I can hardly wait!
Day 10 of 7
Thursday, June 23, 2011 Sleep much of the morning. Unpack, clean and dry equipment. Wash clothes. Wonder if we should have stayed....on this, the wettest camping trip of my life. Believe me, I've camped a lot. Hey BWCAW! I'll be back!
Day 12 of 7
Friday, June 24, 2011 BBQ and drink Grain Belt Premium!
Day 13 of 7
Saturday, June 25, 2011 Nuts. Never did make it to Malberg. So much for the first days of summer. It truly is a late spring.
discuss this trip report (6 comments) - last post on June 28, 2011