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BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog

December 13 2024

Entry Point 16 - Moose/Portage River (North of Echo Trail)

Moose/Portage River (north) entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by La Croix Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 27 miles. Access is a 160-rod portage heading North from the Echo Trail.

Number of Permits per Day: 5
Elevation: 1348 feet
Latitude: 48.1230
Longitude: -92.0991
A favorite route offering many trip options and memorable things to see including;

World Class fishing for all four BWCA Species
Pictographs
Soaring granite hills and cliffs
Small lakes
Small rivers
Tumbling rapids and waterfalls
Wildlife, including Moose
Vistas from high points across the region if you're willing to climb. Rating Easy to Moderate. Day One. Get to EP16 off of the Echo Trail early. The initial portage is long, but well worn and smooth, sloping gently downgrade to the launch area. Load your canoe and head North. You'll be paddling with the slight current on this narrow winding river. The water is clear and make sure to tell the bowperson to watch for looming rocks!

BWCAW 2009

by polarisrcool
Trip Report

Entry Date: August 24, 2009
Entry Point: Moose/Portage River (north)
Exit Point: Little Indian Sioux River (north) (14)
Number of Days: 5
Group Size: 6

Trip Introduction:
6 Friends, 5 days, 4 nights, 3 canoes, 2 water filters, and 1 great trip!

Day 1 of 5


Monday, August 24, 2009

We were about 30 minutes late to the outfitters thanks to me forgetting the eggs in the fridge but oh well. Once we arrived at the outfitters we were all roaring to go and loaded our stuff up into the Vnorth van. The ride to the entry point seemed like it was an hour long due to the anticipation. Upon arrival we quickly ran the 160 rod portage to the river and cheerfully loaded the canoes and took off. Because we had two new people we decided to camp at the first lake out of Moose River which was Nina Moose. The campsite across the lake on the point was a delightful site with nice tent spots. It rained and was quite windy that night but all was well.

 



Day 2 of 5


Tuesday, August 25, 2009

We awoke to a gloomy windy cold morning and cooked some bacon, eggs, and pancakes. We then folded our tents and loaded our canoes hoping the weather would improve. As we approached Lake Agnes we decided we would try going up the river instead of going around and taking the 160rod portage. Boy that was a mistake. The river near the beginning was horribly shallow and narrow, not to mention all the beaver dams we had to climb over, but we made it up the river and eventually to oyster lake. We camped at Oyster lake that night at a very nice campsite on a narrow part of the penninsula across from the portage. We saw a HUGE beaver. The stars that night were amazing.

 



Day 3 of 5


Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Wednesday morning was peaceful and fog was rolling across Oyster lake. We ate some poptarts and oatmeal and set out to the monster 310 portage. Me and Garren were the first ones on the shore and I grabbed my pack and a gear pack, and he grabbed the canoe. I took the lead and started to day dream. All of the sudden i noticed a friggen river going through the portage about 80 rods in. We had to get all the gear and paddle across the 20 feet of river running across the portage as it was a little to deep and muddy for my liking. That night we camped on a very nice island camp site and I caught my first BWCAW walleye.

 



Day 4 of 5


Thursday, August 27, 2009

Thursday morning we packed up and quickly paddled the whole 1.5 miles to our last campsite of the trip. It was also the worst campsite we had ever been to. We only took it because it was right across the river leading to the exit point. Thursday was very uneventful for most of the crew and rainy.

 



Day 5 of 5


Friday, August 28, 2009

Friday was a fairly uneventful, sad, and rainy day to leave the BWCAW... But we will be back next year!!

 


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