BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
September 07 2024
Entry Point 39 - Baker Lake
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 (rookie trip)
Entry Date:
May 25, 2012
Entry Point:
Kawishiwi Lake
Number of Days:
3
Group Size:
2
After waiting for my roommate to finsh work and make a few last minute stops we arrived at Kawishiwi mid afternoon.Just befor we turned onto the road that lead to the campground we ran into a large black bear. I went for the camera,but the bear escaped befor I could snap a shot. We decided to wait until morning to attempt our entrance. So we set up camp, played a few games of cribbage, and watched some cave man tv. Between the loud campers and the adventure to come, it was tough to get any sleep.
We awoke at 5:30 am to a chilly but peaceful morning. I put on a coat and climbed out of the tent to an amazing view of the lake. 
It didn't take us long to pack up and head across Kawishiwi. Crossing the glass like surface quickly we began our departure down a narrow stream on our way to Square lake. I would say we were about half way there when we noticed a moose up ahead in the water. This time I got a few pictures before it wondered back up the shore and into the woods. 
As we approached Square lake the damage to the forest from the pokagami creek fire was everywhere. The shores were scattered with burnt trees and the forest looked bare. Once on Square, the shoreline was burnt almost all the way around. 
We stopped a for a few photos and continued our way to Kawaschong lake. The scenery did not change much, burnt forest all over. The water was high, leaving us with one 20 rod portage. The paddling continued across Kawasching to our longest portage of 189 rods. All of the forest along the portage into Townline was burnt as well. I got to be honest, I was looking forward to seeing fire damage but by now it was almost depressing to keep seeing more and more of the forest burnt. As we approached Townline lake it was more and more of the same. Townline is a small lake, maybe a five minute paddle to our last 95 rod portage into lake Polly. Upon reaching the shore of Polly the forest became more green than black. The first campsite we found on the southeast side of the lake was just perfect for us. It had one nice tent pad, a few good trees for the tarp and hammocks, and a great view. We set up camp and relaxed. 
That evening we managed to catch some walleye and explore the rest of the lake. The sky began to cloud up and we enjoyed a great sunset. 
Later that night I was awaken by the sound of rain and thunder. There was little lightning, but the rain poured down.
Upon awakening to more rain we decided that if we were able to find an open campsite on the way back that we could manage to stay until Monday. We were enjoying our BWCAW experience way too much, even in the rain. Because of the weather forecast we seen before we entered it was decided traveling back closer to Kawishiwi this morning to avoid paddling in any possible lightning was a good idea. I wouldn't have worried so much about the lightning, however there weren't very many trees left along the shores or portages to take cover. Heading back in the rain wasn't bad at all. Infarct, we made great time on our way back until we noticed our rain tarp was missing on the portage back into Kawaschong. I turned around and backtracked 189 rods to the shore of townline to discover it sitting right where we had set our bags. I guess we will call that one a rookie mistake. Along the way back we never found an open campsite until the campground on Kawishiwi at which which point we decided to call it a trip. Will I return to the BWCAW? Only every chance I get! 