BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
April 27 2024
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!
Koma Style
by fishnfreak
Trip Report
Entry Date:
May 17, 2008
Entry Point:
Kawishiwi Lake
Number of Days:
7
Group Size:
5
Trip Introduction:
My second trip to the Koma area. First trip this early in May. First trip for Brian and Scott.
Day 1 of 7
Saturday, May 17, 2008 Arrived at Sawbill around 5:30am after an all night drive from Cedar Rapids. Scott decides to sleep awhile in the cab while Brian and I fish for a bit until Sawbill opens up. By 9:00am we have our permits in hand and three canoes in tow heading over to Kawishiwi lake. I have been watching the wind all morning and estimate it to be blowing 20-25 mph from the North. I already suspect that Kawishiwi will be to rough for the two rookies to cut their teeth on. Once we arrive at Kawish my suspicions are proven, white cap city, we are all very tired and decide to wait a day before heading in. We spend the rest of the day fishing, sleeping and getting our gear organized. 
Day 4 of 6
Sunday, May 18, 2008 6:00am on the water and heading across Kawishiwi. Scott is trying the solo while Brian and I paddle tandem. We enter the river section of our route and are pleased to find that both the 25rd and the 5rd potages can be paddled through. Around 8:00am it begins to snow heavily with a strong wind pushing it. It is a good reminder to me, so I don't forget how early in the paddling year it is. The fellows handle the two larger portages out of Kawasachong well and we sit on Polly at 10:00am. 
As we enter Polly I have been watching the wind for awhile and predict that it will be rough going across Polly this morning. I am not dissapointed. We stop at the first camp we see and eat some lunch, which is good because the troops are fading fast. The rookies want to stay right were we are but I am meeting my regular trip partners tommorrow on Koma and will have no way to let them know of any change of plans. After my best Knute Rockne speech we decide to give it one more try. I take the solo and Scott and Brian paddle tandem. We keep this arrangement the rest of the trip. 
We make it across Polly with relatively small issue but I have noticed tHAT THE ROOKS ARE FADING FASt. With only three short portages into Koma I begin to really push hard and fast to get going 
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When I reach Koma I am releived to find the penisula camp open, the fellows show up a short time later and are greatful to be done for the day. Brian and Scott relax with jug of Forty Creek while we all watch a perfect moonrise. Jeff and Kelly will arrive tommorrow.
As we enter Polly I have been watching the wind for awhile and predict that it will be rough going across Polly this morning. I am not dissapointed. We stop at the first camp we see and eat some lunch, which is good because the troops are fading fast. The rookies want to stay right were we are but I am meeting my regular trip partners tommorrow on Koma and will have no way to let them know of any change of plans. After my best Knute Rockne speech we decide to give it one more try. I take the solo and Scott and Brian paddle tandem. We keep this arrangement the rest of the trip. We make it across Polly with relatively small issue but I have noticed tHAT THE ROOKS ARE FADING FASt. With only three short portages into Koma I begin to really push hard and fast to get going </a> " > When I reach Koma I am releived to find the penisula camp open, the fellows show up a short time later and are greatful to be done for the day. Brian and Scott relax with jug of Forty Creek while we all watch a perfect moonrise. Jeff and Kelly will arrive tommorrow.
Day 6 of 6
Monday, May 19, 2008 We all sleep in late and for the last two days we have noticed a Forest Service plane flying around in our area. My experience with this is that something bad has happened out there to someone. I say a silent prayer that it works out well for the people involved. We all begin to finish putting camp together before Jeff and Kelly arrive. 
Around noon Brian and I decide to fish the rapids entering Koma 
We should be able to see Jeff and Kelly from here. Just like clockwork at 1:00pm Jeff and Kelly arrive. We give them the proper escort to camp and do the introductions. Jeff has the scoop regarding the plane, it appears they are looking for a missing soloist which explains why they seemed so interested in me yesterday while I paddled solo. We decide to paddle over to Malberg and fish below the rapids. 
Kelly hooks a large,large northern and gets it to the canoe but Jeff fails to get it into the net. Fish gets away and the heavy trash talking begins. I catch a fair smallie 
The fish are all ice cold to the touch but we are surprised at the number of smallies that we are catching but no walleye yet. We paddle back and have jambalaya and gumbo for dinner.
Around noon Brian and I decide to fish the rapids entering Koma We should be able to see Jeff and Kelly from here. Just like clockwork at 1:00pm Jeff and Kelly arrive. We give them the proper escort to camp and do the introductions. Jeff has the scoop regarding the plane, it appears they are looking for a missing soloist which explains why they seemed so interested in me yesterday while I paddled solo. We decide to paddle over to Malberg and fish below the rapids. Kelly hooks a large,large northern and gets it to the canoe but Jeff fails to get it into the net. Fish gets away and the heavy trash talking begins. I catch a fair smallie The fish are all ice cold to the touch but we are surprised at the number of smallies that we are catching but no walleye yet. We paddle back and have jambalaya and gumbo for dinner.
Day 8 of 6
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 We awake this morning to find the forest service in our camp, this is a first for me, they check our permit and ask us to keep a lookout for this missing person. We decide to fish Koma hard today for walleye and after some time we realize that its not going to happen. Also beggining to see many mayflies hatching. Tonight is steak night with wine. I cook steak baked potatoes and corn on the fire grate and it is wonderful. We drink four bottles of red wine wine and dip into the Moonshine/w Hot AppleCider. By the end of the night we are singing karaoke, I normally scoff at this behavior but we are the only ones camped on Koma, so what the heck! 
Day 10 of 6
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Scott,Brian and I have to leave out or atleast make it across Polly today in order to make it back Thursday night. Jeff and Kelly will stay on Koma for another day and try and save the fishing end of the trip. We have discussed making the trip up to Kivaniva for walleye. We say our goodbyes and We head out and they head to Kiva. I am anxious to see how the SPOT locator beacon has been working since we left. Our trip back across Polly is much better with the wind to our backs 
I can see the looks on the rooks faces that they are ready to call it done so we decide to go ahead and come all the way out. The trip out is very relaxing and I finally see my first moose in the BW on Kawasachong lake. At 5:00pm we are back at the Kawishiwi lake campground. Jeff and Kelly carry on and do find the walleyes on Kivaniva.
I can see the looks on the rooks faces that they are ready to call it done so we decide to go ahead and come all the way out. The trip out is very relaxing and I finally see my first moose in the BW on Kawasachong lake. At 5:00pm we are back at the Kawishiwi lake campground. Jeff and Kelly carry on and do find the walleyes on Kivaniva.
Day 12 of 6
Thursday, May 22, 2008 Jeff and Kelly continue their pursuit on walleye and move down to Polly. Kelly has a 6:00pm flight tommorrow, so they need to be closer to the EP. This move turns out be right on, they use the same sight that I gave my Knute Rockne speeech and promptly catch walleye just out in front of it. They finally have a walleye dinner finish off Rum and no doubt make fun of me for not getting a walleye all week.
Day 14 of 6
Friday, May 23, 2008 12:00 noon Jeff and Kelly are out of the BW. Trip was a good one. I proved to myself that I am ready for a solo trip( to be done in Sept.)Got to hang out with the boys for a week. Scott and Brian got a BW intro, hopefully they will come back again. Tried out lots of new gear( the Spot locator thing works very well)See ya in September!!!
discuss this trip report (19 comments) - last post on November 02, 2009