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BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog

March 19 2024

Entry Point 25 - Moose Lake

Moose Lake entry point allows overnight paddle or motor (25 HP max). 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 an boat landing or canoe launch at Moose Lake. Many trip options for paddlers with additional portages. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 27
Elevation: 1356 feet
Latitude: 47.9877
Longitude: -91.4997

Back in the Saddle

by dl
Trip Report

Entry Date: June 05, 2009
Entry Point: Moose Lake
Number of Days: 4
Group Size: 1

Trip Introduction:
After 10 months of fighting prostate cancer, including medication, surgery, medication, radiation and more medication and, coming out of it in one piece; it was time to know I still had it.

Day 1 of 4


Friday, June 05, 2009

Headed out from Stevens Point, WI mid-morning going north on I39/Rt51 and then connecting to Rt29W to US53N to MN169 into Ely. Knowing that I had at least 6 hours drive to Ely, another 30-45 minutes to Williams and Hall Outfitters and then another hour to get up to Splash Lake, from Moose Lake, I should have left earlier. While the drive was uneventful, I could tell after a few hours that I may have decided to take on this trip too soon after my radiation treatments. I tend to be a little head-strong at times! By the time I had arrived at the outfitters, it was later in the afternoon and I had decided to get a tow up Moose and New Found Lake to the portage for Splash. I pushed into Splash at 4PM, and waded over the rapids into Ensign. By this time there was no question that I had pushed the envelope on this one. The wind was up as I entered Ensign, so I pulled over to the first camp site on the south-east end. I took my time setting up camp and felt much better at the end of the day. My spirits were lifted just knowing that I had made it. Not to be over dramatic, but there were times in the previous months when I did think a lot about the possibility that I might not visit my favorite places, again. [paragraph break]

My canoe, for this trip, was a Wenonah MN II that I had bought at the Canoecopia this spring and had spent some time refinishing the wood trim and adding a few personal touches. I also brought along a new Katadin BaseCamp Filter (Christmas present from my mother-in-law). The MN II is a lot more canoe than a solo tripper needs, but I wanted to take it on its maiden voyage. I have a Spring-Creek yoke/seat on it. The yoke, with the two padded straps is great for portaging, but the flip-side seating is a bit low and would not cut it for the long haul. My packs are a Duluth #4 and a food-pack, with a front portage pack that clips onto the #4. I have two beer bottle boxes, duck-taped all over, for the food pack. They sit well in the pack and help keep things sorted. I also brought along a number of food items from CacheLake and they definitely have got the right idea. I’m more of a cook’s helper, and their selections are great.

 



Day 2 of 4


Saturday, June 06, 2009

The next day began with high winds, and partly sunny. Feeling much better, I packed up and moved to the central part of Ensign, directly across (north) of the portage into Boot Lake. Camp set up; I paddled over to both Trident and Vera in the afternoon and walked over both portages. I hadn’t really made any specific plans for this trip, beyond getting to Ensign and base-camping and was just enjoying being back out in the wilderness.

 



Day 3 of 4


Sunday, June 07, 2009

Today, I headed out to Ashigan and Jordan. I spent most of the day in both lakes fishing and just paddling around the area. I caught two smallies, but admittedly wasn’t very focused and just drifted around. There was a steady rain all day, but it had warmed up some and was OK. I was back to base camp by around 3PM and spent the afternoon either reading or wandering around the camp site. I made dinner at about 6PM and then shortly thereafter, the rain turned into a storm and chased me into the tent.

 



Day 4 of 4


Monday, June 08, 2009

I broke camp by 9AM and made my way back to Splash Lake. The water levels were high and I was able to run the rapid between Ensign and Splash. When I got to the portage from Splash to Ensign there was a line of canoes waiting to either get in or out (looked like O’Hare airport!). My tow picked me up at 11AM and I was on the road, heading home by noon. I realize this wasn’t much of a trip, even by my own past experiences, but it was important for me at that time and place in my life. Almost two months later, I am feeling great and have a trip planned with my daughter for mid-August and one planned for early September with a friend.

 


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