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BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog

March 19 2024

Entry Point 27 - Snowbank Lake

Snowbank 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 24 miles. Access is a boat landing or canoe launch at Snowbank Lake. Many trip options for paddlers. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 8
Elevation: 1191 feet
Latitude: 47.9716
Longitude: -91.4326
Snowbank Lake - 27

6th Anniversary

by laurenotto8809
Trip Report

Entry Date: August 06, 2015
Entry Point: Snowbank Lake
Number of Days: 3
Group Size: 2

Trip Introduction:

Report


We decided to try a trip to the BWCA for our 6th anniversary to see if we liked it and if this type of thing was something we wanted to do in the future. We had a great trip, but holy cow was it busy the first day! Our plan was to make it to Disappointment Lake on day one. We first portaged to Parent Lake, then to Disappointment Lake. At 80 rods and 85 rods, they weren't bad. 

The advice we received was that we should find a site by 1:00-2:00 p.m., so we thought we were ahead of the game when we were looking for sites by 11:30-12:00. We started at one end of Disappointment Lake and every single campsite was taken until the very last one on the lake by the portage to Ahsub Lake. We were getting very nervous we wouldn't find a site, as Ahsub Lake only has two sites and then there are no sites for quite a while. We lucked out and found a site.

We stayed there both nights of our trip. On day two, we took a day trip to the falls at Gibson Lake. Well worth it, they were gorgeous! It was a pretty easy trip there too as all of the portages are very short and are pretty good. 

We had originally planned a 3 night trip, but decided to end our trip a day early. Our third night we were going to camp on Snowbank Lake, but weren't feeling it. We didn't want to be rushed to get home on day four, and weren't feeling the site as Snowbank Lake also has motor boat traffic.  Didn't feel the same with the motor boat traffic.

Great trip, looking forward to trying a different entry point next time! Will do some things differently: 1) We will invest in our own packs to make portaging easier, 2) Get a better pulley system for hoisting the food bag, and 3) Better thermarest pads.

Look forward to making this a yearly tradition!

 


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