BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
May 03 2026
Entry Point 67 - Bog Lake
Number of Permits per Day: 1
Elevation: 1593 feet
Latitude: 47.7724
Longitude: -91.3870
Bog Lake - 67
Bog Lake daytrip
Entry Date:
May 02, 2026
Entry Point:
Bog Lake
Number of Days:
1
Group Size:
1
Wanting to get out and enjoy the current warming trend, I endeavor to get out and stretch my portaging and paddling muscles a little before undertaking a full-blown overnight adventure. A couple of factors help me determine the 'where'. While ice has been out around the Ely area for several days already, the reports are that the Gunflint area is still pretty well locked up yet. Also, petrol having recently crested the $4.00 mark is an alluring enticement to make me not want to do any amount of extra driving. Bog Lake is one of the closest lakes to my current residence and I figure it will also probably be one of the quietest.
The Tomahawk Road is in excellent shape and even considering all the recent rains and high water, I am still occasionally kicking up some dust along its easterly course. After turning left down the EP spur, I start encountering a few mud puddles and mushy spots as I cautiously motor through this final stretch. This road is so narrow, I would hate to meet another vehicle coming from the other direction because there are precious few spots where it would be wide enough for both to pass at the same time.
The parking lot is quite attractive as it is rimmed with some lush cedars and has room for a handful (or so) of vehicles with ample room to back in/out turn around etc. There are no other cars here so, I should have the lake to myself this afternoon.
I get my day pass filled out and am quickly on my way. The portage starts out very straight and very level through a mostly grassy section with an ever-increasing cavalcade of bothersome twigs encroaching on either side. The gradient gradually drops ever so slightly, and I eventually am trapsing through standing water that still sports a thin glaze of ice. Mercifully it doesn't get more than ankle deep. While I'm sure this is a result of this Springs high water, I suspect that this section will likely always be at least a little mushy during the summer months.
After negotiating that section, the trail now climbs slightly and gives way to a black spruce forest. Initially the path is wide and free of obstruction, however I soon begin coming across some troublesome boulders and rooted sections. These and the eventual gradual undulation are nothing overly severe but, as suspected, I do encounter something that does stop me in my tracks.
I end up having to cut through probably about a half dozen or so of these 'impediments' along the way, not to mention just being able to tromp over/through about that many more. Thankfully I'd brought my Big Boy Silky saw along to handle the stickier situations. At about midway there is a decent, though fairly short, climb before an almost unnoticeable long descent down to the lake. (Note: this gradient will be much more noticeable on the return trip back out!)
There's always a sense of accomplishment when the lake first comes into view and the landing here is quite roomy and provides a nice view too while I briefly recuperate from the long trek across with a quick siesta. The blue windless skies brilliantly illumine the cold waters of Bog Lake.
I determine to paddle a clockwise circuit around the lake. Conditions are excellent as I make my way toward campsite #2192 on the western shore with only a very slight breeze gently easing across my bow. Unlike where the remaining campsites are situated on the lake, this section of the lake was spared damage from the Pagami Creek fire over a decade ago.
The landing for this site is akin to a hole in the wall as you don't see it until you're right on top of it. It's a lumpy site with boulders small & big peppered around the site, there's not a great view and the black spuce give it (at least to me) an uneasy feel. Nevertheless, for obvious reasons, I think most people hoping to camp on Bog will target this site for the next decade or so.
As I paddle into the fire zone, I must admit it is very encouraging and does my heart well to see small shoreline cedars re-emerging. Contrary to the lake name, there are several prominent rock outcroppings to be contemplated as one traverses the perimeter. One in particular almost looks man made to me.
Within eyeshot of the northern most site #1944 there is even one of the several mid lake protruding rocks.
This site got walloped by the fire and there currently isn't too much positive to say about the site. Still, given time, I feel it has a very real potential to be something dramatically better than what it is. Even in its current state It certainly has the best view and is the most interesting & intriguing site on the lake. After landing, I pull out my day pack, sit down, grab my lunch and take a few moments to enjoy the peace & tranquility God has afforded me this afternoon.
Having recharged a bit, I take some time to climb the precipice just behind camp and the nearby surrounding forest. I enjoy the panoramic view, mourn the loss of a fallen sentinel just outside of camp and make note of the nearby beaver hut and the 'mooseplums' around this site. Finally, I contemplate what it would take to bushwhack to the Stonehenge site (which somewhat has the same feel as this site) on the Isabella River from here. 
As I load things back in the Black Pearl, I come to the realization that my trusty "stead" is turning 20 this year! (I think canoes age 3 years for each human year?! LOL!) The wooden trim is certainly in need of some TLC but this still seaworthy vessel has accompanied me on many an adventure and hopefully many more to come. There was/is a thread on bwca.com posted by the member "pinetree" about doing our last trip. That reality is beginning to enter my mind as I've really been noticing how my body is beginning to inevitably succumb to Father time. So, like the Black Pearl, I sometimes feel like a tattered, battle-scarred remnant of my former self. However, rather than allowing this reality to plummet my mindset into an abyss of darkness, I try to utilize it as a motivator for a bubbling wellspring of an attitude of gratitude hoping to savor each new moment/adventure the Good Lord grants me to experience. Anyways, Happy Birthday old friend!
Continuing my circuit, I paddle upon the final open campsite #1942. It has a decent rock shelf landing and much like its previous counterpart it also was completely burned over. This one does offer the best flat, grassy tent pads, a new latrine but beyond that it also just needs time to grow up. The wind has kicked up a little, so I linger for a short while until it subsides.
I feel I have given it a good go already today so, instead of continuing to trace the shoreline I take the most direct course back to the landing. I continue to see a myriad of ducks about but, per usual, they never let me get close enough to thoroughly enjoy watching them. As I near the landing I am startled by the unmistakable echo of a canoe gunnel reverberating. Sure enough as I approach there is someone there loading up. He graciously pulls his canoe aside and we enjoy a pleasant conversation before I officially pull in. His name is Dave and he confides that his original plan was to paddle Crocodile Lake, but East Bearskin was still iced over enough to make that unfeasible, so he came here.
I notice that the gradient on the climb out of Bog Lake is certainly more noticeable when heading back to the parking lot. But, in attempting to follow my own advice about attitudes of gratitude, the freshly cleared trail is a most welcome indulgence as I portage my way back to the parking lot.
It felt good to get out before opener and (save for my socks) I didn't even need to bring my woolens - don't tell bwca.com member "gravelroad"! :) Looking forward to doing it for real in a few weeks.