BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
September 15 2025
Entry Point 50 - Cross Bay Lake
Cross Bay Lake entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Gunflint Ranger Station near the city of Grand Marais, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 45 miles. Access is thru the Cross River with two portages to Ham Lake and a 24-rod portage to Cross Bay Lake. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.
Number of Permits per Day: 3
Elevation: 1670 feet
Latitude: 48.0760
Longitude: -90.8222
Cross Bay Lake - 50
Number of Permits per Day: 3
Elevation: 1670 feet
Latitude: 48.0760
Longitude: -90.8222
Cross Bay Lake - 50
1st Trip with the kids - Cross River to Snipe Lake
by dbjerknes
Trip Report
Entry Date:
June 18, 2020
Entry Point:
Cross Bay Lake
Number of Days:
3
Group Size:
4
Trip Introduction:
Over Father's Day weekend my wife and I took our two kids on their first BWCA camping trip. This is a video of our adventure!
YouTube link:
https://youtu.be/c4yz4r0bCtw
Report
Sunday, May 29, 2011 I awoke to an awesome sunrise. This place embodies serenity. My goal was to get an early start, before any winds picked up. Well the winds were never a problem. Sunday turned out to be a picture perfect day. Blue bird skies, no wind, and beautiful scenery. My day began by portaging around Lower Basswood Falls. Next, the pictos on Crooked Lake. Seeing the pictos made me appreciate not only the history of this place, but also how valuable wilderness areas are. I can't help but think that I was seeing the BW in a similar, unaltered condition as the person who put those pictos on that rock bluff...truly awesome. The rest of the day was spent traveling along the US/Canada border. I was thankful for the good weather, for I had to cross some big bays. Had it been windy I would have opted to stay close to the bank, which would have taken a lot more time. I saw a lot of ducks today, mostly loons and mergansers. I caught my first smallmouth ever. Somehow I have never caught a smallmouth. Fishing back home, I usually catch largemouth, spotted bass, crappie, and trout, but never have I caught a smallie, so another first for me on this trip. I am blown away with this place...this place harbors unbelievable beauty.
Day 2 Summary: Horse Lake-Crooked Lake
Broke camp around 6:00 and set up camp in Sunday Bay. How appropriate to camp in Sunday Bay on Sunday. There is no place I would have rather been then right where I was. 
Lakes Traveled:
Ham Lake,
Cross Bay Lake,
Snipe Lake,
discuss this trip report (6 comments) - last post on July 02, 2020