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      Trip Report - Can you canoe Judd Lake?
 
  Last Visit: 04/26/2024 07:00AM

Entry Point 33 - Little Gabbro Lake


view flash version | view topographic map
Little Gabbro Lake entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Kawishiwi Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 23 miles. Access is a 200-rod portage from the parking lot to Little Gabbro Lake.

Number of Permits per Day: 1.5
Elevation: 1235 feet
Latitude: 47.8481
Longitude: -91.6357
Author Message Text
tg
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10/27/2022 05:57PM
  
New Trip Report posted by tg

Trip Name: Can you canoe Judd Lake?.

Entry Point: 33

Click Here to View Trip Report

and into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul
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TuscaroraBorealis
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10/27/2022 06:51PM
  
I had to look up Judd Lake before reading the report. I'd occasionally heard of folks talking about that route but, hadn't heard of any recent attempts and, usually only Rock Island Lake is mentioned. Quite the adventure for an October trip, which (in my opinion) is about the best time to visit the numbered lakes. :) Glad it all worked out.


Entertaining and informative report, thanks for taking the time to write it up.
tg
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10/27/2022 08:01PM
  
Thanks TB! It seemed too easy to reach Rock Island and the the real adventure was in getting in and out of Judd. Working on getting some pics added to the report.

and into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul
WhitePine1
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10/28/2022 03:42PM
  
Great trip report! I did this route in the summer of 2018 with my father. He had done it in the 80s and it sounded like a nice loop. We could not find the portage easily from Clearwater to Judd, and there was no clear trail. We made it to Lake Two, but we were pretty beat up by the time we got there. I am wondering if it being fall helped at all or things have been cleared since that summer. I swore I would never go back after losing track of each other on that portage, but your report has me curious. Thanks for the write up!
Northwoodsman
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10/28/2022 05:13PM
  
Loved your report. Odie looks like a great trip partner!
napinch
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10/28/2022 07:59PM
  
Nicely written report. Always nice when unexpected adventures finish with a successful ending. Sounds like the three of you thoroughly enjoyed the 3 days on the lakes.
Luke
tg
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10/29/2022 09:13PM
  
WhitePine1: "Great trip report! I did this route in the summer of 2018 with my father. He had done it in the 80s and it sounded like a nice loop. We could not find the portage easily from Clearwater to Judd, and there was no clear trail. We made it to Lake Two, but we were pretty beat up by the time we got there. I am wondering if it being fall helped at all or things have been cleared since that summer. I swore I would never go back after losing track of each other on that portage, but your report has me curious. Thanks for the write up! "
I bet the lack of leaves (on the trees, made a difference). I am tempted to go back in the spring with a saw and get to work. It seems like such a logical portage to keep open as it really bridges two popular areas. Of course it you aren’t willing to wade thru the bog between Judd and Rock Island it’s really a moot point.


#unfinishedbusiness
tg

and into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul
tg
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10/29/2022 09:21PM
  
napinch: "Sounds like the three of you thoroughly enjoyed the 3 days on the lakes.
Luke"
Indeed we did! Glad that came thru in the trip report. The bwca is truly my happy place. This trip and subsequent return to civilization has crystallized that!
-Rich

and into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul
tg
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10/29/2022 09:27PM
  
Northwoodsman: "Loved your report. Odie looks like a great trip partner!"
Thanks man! It was such a privilege to see him so happy and doing his thing! He was born for the BWCA.

I’ve had so many other great trip partners including Bret, “The Stranger”, high school runner bud Tony aka Gopher Adventure, cabin neighbor Jay, coworkers, family…I’m definitely blessed.

and into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul
straighthairedcurly
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01/02/2023 01:58PM
  
Thanks for the updated info on this route. I am curious about trying it this summer. Did you happen to take any GPS coordinates for the Clearwater end of the portage to Judd?
TuscaroraBorealis
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05/26/2023 05:15PM
  
straighthairedcurly: "Thanks for the updated info on this route. I am curious about trying it this summer. Did you happen to take any GPS coordinates for the Clearwater end of the portage to Judd?"


I was just there a couple of weeks ago. Don't have GPS coordinates but, after seeing the area around the landing on Clearwater, don't think you'll have any trouble locating it as it is right where the map(s) indicate.


If your interested? Took a video of the trail - starting at Judd Lake.
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