BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
July 06 2025
Entry Point 30 - Lake One
Lake One 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 21 miles. Access is a canoe landing at Lake One.
Number of Permits per Day: 13
Elevation: 1230 feet
Latitude: 47.9391
Longitude: -91.4792
My son Remy and I, and my friend Keith and his son Charlie put our canoes into Lake one at 9:30 Monday morning after dropping off a car at the Snowbank Lake landing. Lake One can be tricky to navigate. On our way to Lake Two we turned East too early and ended up paddling about a mile out of our way into a dead-end bay before we realized our mistake. We blamed the fact that Lake One was split between Fisher Maps #10 and #4 for our error. If the entire lake had been visible at once on a single map, we would not have made the wrong turn. Once we got back on course we portaged the 30 rods into a pond and then portaged the 40 rods into Lake Two. The weather was nice, and there was a bit of a tail wind out of the West. We stopped for lunch on the shore of Lake Two. After lunch we canoed through the North end of Lake Three and into Lake Four. We stopped for the night at a campsite on the West shore of Lake Four, just North of the channel heading toward Hudson Lake. We had to battle swarms of mosquitoes as we set up the tents. We then had a nice refreshing swim. Because we had brought steaks along for the first night, we didn't go fishing.
On Tuesday morning we had a bacon and eggs breakfast then packed up camp and headed out in our canoes. As we canoed past our campsite, we realized that Remy & I had left our hammocks pitched between trees. We landed again and quickly packed them up. Once again we had beautiful weather. We paddled East and completed 3 short portages before entering Hudson Lake. The 105 rod portage into Lake Insula was exhausting! Lake Insula is a large gorgeous lake broken up by multiple islands and penninsulas. We had lunch at a campsite on a large island just East of Hudson Lake. It felt like we had a tail wind as we were heading East, and then as we turned North it seemed like the wind shifted and was at our backs once again. We navigated Lake Insula flawlessly and camped for the night on the island just West of Williamson Island. After setting up the tents and a refreshing swim, Remy & I got back into the canoe and tried to catch some fish. We had no luck! At 9PM that night, just as we were going to bed, a thunderstorm rolled through. That night I was awakened several times by the loud croaking of bullfrogs from the shallows around our island. What noisy neighbors!
By Wednesday morning the weather had cleared, but the wind was now coming from the Northwest, pretty much in our faces. We paddled to the North end of Lake Insula and tackled the largest portage of our trip. The 180 rod walk to Kiana Lake actually seemed easier than the 105 rod carry into Lake Insula. We headed onward into Thomas Lake where we really started feeling the headwind. We finally made it to the campsite just Northeast of the portage into Thomas Pond in time for lunch. After lunch we proceeded across Thomas Pond and into Thomas Creek after hiking across the famous Kekekabic Trail. We managed to easily run the rapids in Thomas Creek and avoid the 2 short portages. We camped for the night on Hatchet Lake at the northern campsite. It was cool and windy, so we didn't swim. There was lots of threatening weather going by to the North of us, but we stayed dry. After supper we canoed back to Thomas Creek to fish and look for moose. No luck on either count, but we did see a beaver swimmming.
The weather was nice again Thursday morning, but the wind was out of the West which was the direction we were heading. We portaged into Ima Lake and canoed across it. Before portaging into Jordan Lake, we watched a bald eagle sitting in a tree get harrassed repeatedly by a seagull. The narrow channel leading into Jordan Lake is quite beautiful. It is narrow like a river with big rock outcroppings. We paddled across Jordan, Cattyman, Adventure, and Jitterbug Lakes. We found the Eastern campsite on Ahsub Lake taken, so we camped at the Western campsite which had a great place for swimming in front of it. There was a very brave loon in front of the campsite who didn't seem to mind if we got close to it. We tried our luck at fishing, but only caught 1 smallmouth which was too small to eat. Between 5:00 and 7:30 that evening we saw a number of canoes heading across Ahsub Lake from Disappointment Lake to Jitterbug Lake. We weren't sure where they were planning to camp, but it was getting late.
On Friday we awoke again to good weather. We paddled the length of Disappointment Lake and portaged into to Parent Lake and then on to Snowbank Lake. It was July 4th, and as we entered Snowbank Lake the sounfd of firecrackers reminded us we weren't in the wilderness anaymore. After a brief splash war on our way across Snowbank, we made it to the landing and our car was still there. What a great trip!
Number of Permits per Day: 13
Elevation: 1230 feet
Latitude: 47.9391
Longitude: -91.4792
My son Remy and I, and my friend Keith and his son Charlie put our canoes into Lake one at 9:30 Monday morning after dropping off a car at the Snowbank Lake landing. Lake One can be tricky to navigate. On our way to Lake Two we turned East too early and ended up paddling about a mile out of our way into a dead-end bay before we realized our mistake. We blamed the fact that Lake One was split between Fisher Maps #10 and #4 for our error. If the entire lake had been visible at once on a single map, we would not have made the wrong turn. Once we got back on course we portaged the 30 rods into a pond and then portaged the 40 rods into Lake Two. The weather was nice, and there was a bit of a tail wind out of the West. We stopped for lunch on the shore of Lake Two. After lunch we canoed through the North end of Lake Three and into Lake Four. We stopped for the night at a campsite on the West shore of Lake Four, just North of the channel heading toward Hudson Lake. We had to battle swarms of mosquitoes as we set up the tents. We then had a nice refreshing swim. Because we had brought steaks along for the first night, we didn't go fishing.
On Tuesday morning we had a bacon and eggs breakfast then packed up camp and headed out in our canoes. As we canoed past our campsite, we realized that Remy & I had left our hammocks pitched between trees. We landed again and quickly packed them up. Once again we had beautiful weather. We paddled East and completed 3 short portages before entering Hudson Lake. The 105 rod portage into Lake Insula was exhausting! Lake Insula is a large gorgeous lake broken up by multiple islands and penninsulas. We had lunch at a campsite on a large island just East of Hudson Lake. It felt like we had a tail wind as we were heading East, and then as we turned North it seemed like the wind shifted and was at our backs once again. We navigated Lake Insula flawlessly and camped for the night on the island just West of Williamson Island. After setting up the tents and a refreshing swim, Remy & I got back into the canoe and tried to catch some fish. We had no luck! At 9PM that night, just as we were going to bed, a thunderstorm rolled through. That night I was awakened several times by the loud croaking of bullfrogs from the shallows around our island. What noisy neighbors!
By Wednesday morning the weather had cleared, but the wind was now coming from the Northwest, pretty much in our faces. We paddled to the North end of Lake Insula and tackled the largest portage of our trip. The 180 rod walk to Kiana Lake actually seemed easier than the 105 rod carry into Lake Insula. We headed onward into Thomas Lake where we really started feeling the headwind. We finally made it to the campsite just Northeast of the portage into Thomas Pond in time for lunch. After lunch we proceeded across Thomas Pond and into Thomas Creek after hiking across the famous Kekekabic Trail. We managed to easily run the rapids in Thomas Creek and avoid the 2 short portages. We camped for the night on Hatchet Lake at the northern campsite. It was cool and windy, so we didn't swim. There was lots of threatening weather going by to the North of us, but we stayed dry. After supper we canoed back to Thomas Creek to fish and look for moose. No luck on either count, but we did see a beaver swimmming.
The weather was nice again Thursday morning, but the wind was out of the West which was the direction we were heading. We portaged into Ima Lake and canoed across it. Before portaging into Jordan Lake, we watched a bald eagle sitting in a tree get harrassed repeatedly by a seagull. The narrow channel leading into Jordan Lake is quite beautiful. It is narrow like a river with big rock outcroppings. We paddled across Jordan, Cattyman, Adventure, and Jitterbug Lakes. We found the Eastern campsite on Ahsub Lake taken, so we camped at the Western campsite which had a great place for swimming in front of it. There was a very brave loon in front of the campsite who didn't seem to mind if we got close to it. We tried our luck at fishing, but only caught 1 smallmouth which was too small to eat. Between 5:00 and 7:30 that evening we saw a number of canoes heading across Ahsub Lake from Disappointment Lake to Jitterbug Lake. We weren't sure where they were planning to camp, but it was getting late.
On Friday we awoke again to good weather. We paddled the length of Disappointment Lake and portaged into to Parent Lake and then on to Snowbank Lake. It was July 4th, and as we entered Snowbank Lake the sounfd of firecrackers reminded us we weren't in the wilderness anaymore. After a brief splash war on our way across Snowbank, we made it to the landing and our car was still there. What a great trip!
Easy Does It
by jcavenagh
Trip Report
Entry Date:
August 09, 2008
Entry Point:
Moose Lake
Number of Days:
7
Group Size:
5
Trip Introduction:
EASY DOES IT
The Players:
Camp Master-Pat(over 20 trips); Organizer-Jim(6th trip); Driver-Tim(2nd trip);
Son1-Jimmy(novice camper);Son2-Jack(experienced Boy Scout)
Outfitter –Voyaguer North
Entry Point: Moose Lake 25
Duration: 6 days
Day 3 of 7
Saturday, August 09, 2008 In at Moose Lake. We take a tow to Prairie Portage. Then on into Sunday Lake. We are taking it easy as we are introducing our teenage sons, Jimmy and Jack, to wilderness camping and canoeing. Just as we paddled into Quetico, we saw a beautiful bald eagle soaring overhead. A good omen, we think. Found a little island camp site about half way up the lake. What a great site it turned out to be. We immediately caught two fat bass and had a wonderful dinner. My son, Jimmy, was surprised that fresh fish tasted so different from the frozen stuff we usually get down by Chicago. 
Day 4 of 7
Sunday, August 10, 2008 Up early. Jimmy catches a walleye using top bait in the little waterway between our island and the mainland. This trip is turning into something special. Weather was perfect for sleeping last night. Everyone is in great spirits. We decide to stay here and fish Sunday Lake. I guess this will be more fishing trip than canoe trip. Jimmy put his photography class to good use. He took the great photo of the morning mist rising off the lake. More fish for breakfast, then we fished over the whole lake. Afternoon we went to the diving rock at the end of the island and all had a great time swimming, diving and just playing in the water. No fish for dinner, but no one is complaining. Another perfect sleeping night. 
Day 8 of 7
Monday, August 11, 2008 Got up and had a leisurely breakfast of blueberry pancakes, oatmeal and hot black coffee. We will paddle to Agnes Lake today and see Louisa Falls. Another perfect sunny, 80 degree day! The weather was nothing short of glorious all week. Sunny and warm days, cool, dry nights. The boys were introduced to real portaging today. Needless to say, they were not happy. But, we all survived and when we got to Louisa Falls, the sun was hot and we were all alone. A long dip in the whirlpool and then lunch at the bottom. Boy, I had read about the falls, but I never imagined they were so much fun! We found a big camp site about a mile or so from the falls and settled in for some fishing. The perfect sand beach was a big plus and we all went swimming again just before dinner. The boys went out fishing by themselves and the men stayed in camp and prepared dinner, and set up the bear bag, hammock, etc. A fire, cigars, and whiskey made a fine capper to a great day! 
Day 10 of 7
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 We decided to see if we could find the pictographs on the island up the lake a ways. We packed our lunch and fished our way up the lake. Got to the island around mid-day. It started to sprinkle a bit, but never did rain! We couldn’t spot the pictographs, but boy, did we have some great blueberries. Again, smiles all around, as we headed back to camp. I took a nap in the hammock while everyone else went out fishing some more. Yes, we had fish for dinner that night and the boys howled at the moon a little bit. The moon was reflected off the lake so beautifully. A silver ribbon of magic. It really took our breath away! 
Day 12 of 7
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 Today we decided to fish way up north. We started out mid-morning (warm and sunny, again!) and fished our way up and down Agnes. Everyone caught at least one fish, but nothing was worth keeping. We worked our way down the west shore, and generally took life easy. More swimming at the beach just before dinner refreshes everyone. We cooked up red beans and rice and added some summer sausage. The boys have never tasted anything so good! Now they understand - everything tastes great when you’re hungry! 
Day 14 of 7
Thursday, August 14, 2008 We will go almost all the way out today. We get up and have a big breakfast and take our time cleaning up the site.(LNT!!) Then we set out for the south end of the lake and the two portages into Sunday Lake. The portages go pretty well, but I’m not as young as I once was (turns out I tore a meniscus on the last portage). So I’m huffing and puffing pretty good by the time we enter Sunday. Once in the water, we make great time. We have to wait for our Camp Master in his single canoe. But we get into Sunday Bay by early afternoon. We set up camp on the island just north of the ranger station about ½ mile. Then we go out into the north shore and fish. WOW! Camp Master Pat was right! Everyone catches more fish, and more different types of fish, than we ever expected. We fish until after the sun is down and then cook in the dark. Not bad when you have so much fish to eat! Catching fish sure helps convince the boys that this canoe camping is pretty special! The perfect weather helped, too! Everyone sleeps soundly on full stomachs the last night out. 
Day 16 of 7
Friday, August 15, 2008 Up late since we don’t have far to go. We paddle a short way to the border and then hump the stuff up and over. Some of the guys go into the store and buy souvenirs. We meet a nice couple from California who come every other year. They are in their 60s and are far more fit than the three Dads in our group! After a few minutes we push into Moose, a glorious day! Sunshine and the gentlest breeze. We all feel great and so we do a little racing to see who can reach the pull out first. Anyone for more granola? UGH! We still have about 3 pounds! Once at the dock, we wait for the van. Cold drinks…ahhh. A quick shower and sandwich in town and on the road by 4:30. I am so happy that everything went so well. I hope the boys decide to come back with their pals over the years. I have an 11 year old boy waiting at home who is just dying to come. Maybe we can be back in 2010! 
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