BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
May 31 2023
Entry Point 29 - North Kawishiwi River
North Kawishiwi River 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 15 miles. Access the North Kawishiwi River through Ojibway Lake and Triangle Lake using two portages.
Number of Permits per Day: 1
Elevation: 1249 feet
Latitude: 47.9543
Longitude: -91.5641
North Kawishiwi River - 29
Number of Permits per Day: 1
Elevation: 1249 feet
Latitude: 47.9543
Longitude: -91.5641
North Kawishiwi River - 29
Fire lake solo
by Armored
Trip Report
Entry Date:
June 22, 2013
Entry Point:
Lake One
Number of Days:
6
Group Size:
1
Trip Introduction:
Day 1 of 6
Saturday, June 22, 2013 Left mom and dads at 5:30 am . Got to the ranger station at 8:30 am. Filled with gas and headed to EP 30. On the water by 9:30 am. Got turned around heading north but found the river in about 20 min. No wind till the first portage and bucked it on lake 2,3,4 . Got very disorientated on the second half of lake 4. Had to stop at a site to check the crapper (#1498) with my gps . It is very hard judging distance with so many bays and islands . The portage from lake 4 was so bad with bugs I might need a transfusion . Got to 1372 at 4:30 pm! Great site , flat rocks good trees for my hammock and tarps . Ate chicken and rice , cleaned up camp and in the hammock by 7:00 pm LONG DAY. 10 1/3 miles , 4 double portages , 3 eagles, many loons , and wolf scat on #3 portage and a beaver on fire lake. Site 47*55.576N 91*21.473W
Day 2 of 6
Sunday, June 23, 2013 Woke up at 5:00am with the sun. Layer in my hammock till 7:00am . Took a leak some time durning the night by rolling over and unzipping my bug net and letting it fly .( note to self put your sandles under the hammock so I don't pee on them again ) made coffee and bannock for breakfast got camp cleaned up and it started raining heavy at 9 :00 am for a half hour osprey and a loon playing right in front of camp. Only birds as friends ( that is good). Reading... A little fishing , one sunfish .lost a rapala on a rock, snagged a turtle by accident got off right a way .. That would have been a fight. 2 shots of rain so far one was really heavy all gear and myself stayed dry. NOAA said clear into tonight .. We will see. Listened to WELY this morning (dog mushers) now the twins game . Gathered some wood to the SE and made a bench for under my tarp. Got a fire going at 3:00pm. Just relaxing and reading . 1 pine squirrel behind camp that is not happy I'm here . Beef stroganoff for dinner with tang. Turned in at 8:00 pm read till 9:00 pm
Day 3 of 6
Monday, June 24, 2013 Up at 5:30 am laid around till 7:00 am moon was still up WOW very bright. Bannock and coffee with some trail mix for breakfast . Checked out the crapper and cleaned up . Went fishing around the island to the SE , no luck lots of wind . Found an active beaver lodge around the corner .... Later ;) paddled up the creek to drag lake . Found out why they call it drag lake. If you don't drag the canoe over a beaver dam you will tip over . Well got my bath for the day . Headed back to camp to change and relax. It wasn't deep but an eye opener. Noon now going to read till the wind dies down . Saw a canoe , first one since I left lake 4 . Took a 2 hour nap . Got up and made chicken teriyaki . Sent a spot ok message . Brushed my teeth and read till bed .
Day 4 of 6
Tuesday, June 25, 2013 Woke up late. Read until almost 10:00pm in my hammock. I can't remember the last time I slept until 9:00am. Some breakfast, bannock and coffee. Did a little fishing with some (special) bait. Got snagged on a large rock and lost the only leader I had. No worries. Very hot today. Radio said mid 80s. Little clouds, light breeze. Finished my book "American Sniper" by Chris Kyle. Very moving. even though I was never in combat, the things he went through after he got out were many of the same things I did. Rolling his truck stands out in my mind and always will. Just to back up, last night there were two loons fighting out in front of my hammock. I have never heard them so loud before. Listening to the weather, I think I will paddle out Thursday. Wednesday, rain, and Friday. And I miss Thor. I will tear down camp tomorrow after dinner, except hammock, sleeping tarp, and get on the water early. Fishing is not good here. Better chance at mom and dad's and I am just too lazy. Back is really sore. Beef stew for dinner with sea salt and garlic with tang. Clear night. Listening to the Twins. Bedtime soon.
Day 5 of 6
Wednesday, June 26, 2013 Woke up at 6am. Weather was good. Bannock and coffee, fished and listened to the radio until I had to poop. Weather rolled in about 11am. 11:40 it let loose for an hour and a half. Close to 2". Clearing to the west now. Glad I stashed all my gear. Hammock is a little wet, but I'll be fine. Twins game on. Took some good pics before the storm. I will pack everything but the hammock and rain tarp tonight before bed. Early start, hoping to be at mom and dad's by 4 or 5. Chicken breast and mashed potatoes for dinner. Mac and cheese tomorrow for breakfast. Twins lost 5-3. Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, not too happy about that. All in all, this has been a great trip. Bugs pissed me off, but I guess it could have been worse. I don't like to portage, maybe a different route or destination next time. One small mishap with Drag Lake, but learned a lesson. Would bring less non-essential stuff, too many multiples. Extra weight... Too many bull shit ideas to do, but lesson learned. Found a 2001 penny at camp.
Day 6 of 6
Thursday, June 27, 2013 Woke up at 3am to sprinkles, maybe 10 minutes. Fell back asleep and alarm went off at 4:30. Up and at 'em took a quick leak, wrapped up poncho liner, hammock and tarp, last picture, and on the water at 5:30. Sent last spot message and headed for the first two portages. Not one person on Fire Lake. Made the portage in 30 minutes. Bugs still bad. Second portage I blew out the sole of my Keens. Little or no wind on the north arm of Lake 4. First canoe on Lake 4. Took pictures of large rocks entering Lake 3. Bigger than my first apartment. Found a paddle on the south shore of Lake 2. Nothing special. Lots of full campsites. Got to the last 2 portages and met a guy that was leading an Outward Bound group that had been out 20 days. Talked with him for 20 minutes and thanked me for my military service. Never got his name but he looked like he'd been out for 20 years. Very nice guy. Made it to the landing by 11am. 5 1/2 hour paddle, better than going in. Made it to the ranger station by noon. Dropped off garbage and went to DQ for chili dogs. Mom and dad's by 3:30pm.
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