BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
April 17 2025
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
Labor day weekend 2024.
Entry point was 25-Moose lake. Went north, and then west onto Ensign Lake. Camped on eastern end of Ensign lake. Very busy and lucky to get a campsite. Day 2, went to Cattyman Falls and on down to Disappointment Lake. All sites full. Had to get off the water due to inclement storm. Ended up on Parent Lake on day 3, western camp site. Beautiful site. Exited from Snowbank lake on day 4. Overall fishing was poor. Some small mouth bass on Parent lake.
Nothing elsewhere. Approximately 20 miles of paddling/portaging. 11 portages in total. Already planning for 2025.
Number of Permits per Day: 27
Elevation: 1356 feet
Latitude: 47.9877
Longitude: -91.4997
Labor day weekend 2024.
Entry point was 25-Moose lake. Went north, and then west onto Ensign Lake. Camped on eastern end of Ensign lake. Very busy and lucky to get a campsite. Day 2, went to Cattyman Falls and on down to Disappointment Lake. All sites full. Had to get off the water due to inclement storm. Ended up on Parent Lake on day 3, western camp site. Beautiful site. Exited from Snowbank lake on day 4. Overall fishing was poor. Some small mouth bass on Parent lake.
Nothing elsewhere. Approximately 20 miles of paddling/portaging. 11 portages in total. Already planning for 2025.
BWCA Man Trip Extravaganza
by JulianPhan
Trip Report
Entry Date:
July 29, 2014
Entry Point:
Snowbank Lake
Number of Days:
6
Group Size:
4
Trip Introduction:
Just got back from Snowbank last Sunday.
Day 1 of 6
Tuesday, July 29, 2014 We set out for the Bwca around 9ish. We live in Rochester, MN so the drive to Ely is about 5 hours. We had 3 duluth packs, 1 hiking pack, and 1 Alumacraft.
We stopped in duluth to check out the sites and I also picked up a map from the Duluth Pack store. From Duluth we headed to Ely and it showered a little bit on the way there. From there we headed to Smitty's and arrived around 8. The Smitty's were very friendly and then headed to the bunkhouse to plan and rest for the long day ahead of us. 
Day 2 of 6
Wednesday, July 30, 2014 Woke up at 6am and started getting everything ready. Ate bacon and eggs and drove to Kawishiwi to pick up the permit. Our plan was to depart from Snowbank from Smitty's and try to make it to Thomas lake through disappointment . I had read that it takes 6 hours to make it there but didn't factor in that we had 2 aluminum canoes and left relatively late (9 a.m). 
After the very long 10 hour canoe/portage we made camp on Ima. We were exhausted and got pretty frustrated because almost all the campsites were booked but we managed to find one near the portage to Hatchet. We got settled in, ate steaks then went to bed.
After the very long 10 hour canoe/portage we made camp on Ima. We were exhausted and got pretty frustrated because almost all the campsites were booked but we managed to find one near the portage to Hatchet. We got settled in, ate steaks then went to bed.
Day 3 of 6
Thursday, July 31, 2014 I woke up first right when the sun came out and decided to go fishing by myself. I creeped into this bay I saw what I assumed was a pretty decent pike splash the top of the water. I casts over there but with no luck. I continued to fish and right before I headed back to camp I managed to catch one eater size pike in between a saddle. I was pretty stoked since it was my first catch of the trip and of the bwca. Put in on a stringer and headed back to camp to start the day.[paragraph break] 
Left the campsite to a bigger bay tucked in the back to go swimming and hang until prime time fishing in the evening. 
That night we ate spaghetti and pike.
Left the campsite to a bigger bay tucked in the back to go swimming and hang until prime time fishing in the evening. That night we ate spaghetti and pike.
Day 4 of 6
Friday, August 01, 2014 Woke up and ate breakfast and then went to Thomas for a day trip. Fished and swam pretty much all day then headed to Hatchet to try to catch some walleyes. We got to hatchet and stayed there all evening until it was pitch black. Luke had 3 pike on with his white curly tail but lost them all. Zach and I managed to catch 2 walleyes each with neon green raps. We only got 2 eater size. After being destroyed by the mosquitos we headed back to camp.
Day 5 of 6
Saturday, August 02, 2014 Luke, Zach, and I stayed up all night and headed out to do some early morning fishing. Luke redeemed himself by catching a eater size walleye. 
I strung up the walleye and we all just crashed in our sleeping bags. We woke up at 10 a.m and packed everything up. After consulting we did not wanna go the same route we did getting to Ima so instead of going back towards disappointment we went west towards abinodji and boot. We left camp at 3p.m and got to boot at around 8. 
I strung up the walleye and we all just crashed in our sleeping bags. We woke up at 10 a.m and packed everything up. After consulting we did not wanna go the same route we did getting to Ima so instead of going back towards disappointment we went west towards abinodji and boot. We left camp at 3p.m and got to boot at around 8.
Day 6 of 6
Sunday, August 03, 2014 Everything was packed and ready to go so we set out for Smitty's at 11 and got there at 2:30. Some clouds but mostly sunny. We packed everything up and headed home.[paragraph break] All and all we loved this trip. It was a good way to enjoy our last summer together before we have to part ways. The BWCAW is an amazing place and we all feel so fortunate to have some so awesome be so close to us. I would like to thank everyone on this site. Everyone here is super chill and for the most part bad a**. Thanks for helping me gather the info to plan this trip and future ones!!!
discuss this trip report (1 comments) - last post on August 10, 2014