BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
July 26 2024
Entry Point 47 - Lizz & Swamp Lakes
Lizz and Swamp Lakes entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by Gunflint Ranger Station near the city of Grand Marais, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 34 miles. Access from Poplar Lake by 51-rod portage to Lizz Lake and 100-rod portage into Swamp Lake only. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.
Number of Permits per Day: 3
Elevation: 1864 feet
Latitude: 48.0420
Longitude: -90.4998
Lizz & Swamp Lakes - 47
Number of Permits per Day: 3
Elevation: 1864 feet
Latitude: 48.0420
Longitude: -90.4998
Lizz & Swamp Lakes - 47
just one more
by merlyn
Trip Report
Entry Date:
May 17, 2021
Entry Point:
Lizz and Swamp Lakes
Number of Days:
6
Group Size:
1
Trip Introduction:
Part 1 of 3
Left home Sunday at 5:30am and 380 miles later arrived in Grand Maris. I take a slightly round about route through the Mich. UP and northern WI., more gas but better sight seeing and less traffic. After a very mediocre $13 hamburger and a walk around town I drove up to Rockwood Outfitters to pick up my permit, watched the video and settled in for the night. Monday '17th. On the water at first light. The start of the trip is always nerve racking for me, the canoe feels tippy and and its like I'm not moving at all but after after just a short while I relax and the BW flow takes over. (I can't really describe what I mean by the BW flow but I'm sure anyone who loves canoeing in the BWCA knows what I mean) First portage to Lizz lake is no problem. Very typical BW portage, a little up, a little down, rocks and roots and of course mud. Here would be a good time to fill in a few details: I'm old and fat, 5ft6 240# and 70+. I huff and puff on the portages and my joints creak but I get the job done and enjoy every minute I'm out there.
I always feel kinda sorry for Lizz lake, so many people passing through but no one staying. Portage into Caribou is another fairly easy, typical BW portage and through that pretty lake to the very easy 20rod into Horseshoe Lake, my favorite lake (so far) in the BWCA. I was tempted to camp on Horseshoe but as I wasn't tired and it was early ,I made a hard right and headed for Allen lake.
The portage from Horseshoe to Allen sucks big time. The landing from Horseshoe is a boulder strewn pain and if there is a way to land without stepping in knee deep water I couldn't find it. The portage is only 50 rods but 49 of them are on slippery, ankle breaking rocks. It took me almost as long to do that one portage as all 3 of of the previous ones.
More details: I double carry. Canoe is an old (80's?) Oldtown 119 weighing in empty at 43# with spare paddle, yoke and repair kit it's at 50# even. Pack is a North 49 120L dry bag and food/day pack is a Esone 20L dry bag. Packs together weigh 50#. I added a trekking pole this year and was glad I did.
Part 2 of 3
The campsite on Allen was nicer than expected, the landing was only so-so but the kitchen and fire grate were clean and had a brand newish flat bench. Two ok tent pads and a possible third further back away from the lake. Good tarp or hammock options. I set up camp. Some more details: My tent is a 20 or so year old Ozark Trails Wally world 2man tent 6.6 lbs. Maybe it's a fluke but the tent has given me good service on at least 6 BWCA trips and dozens of short weekend trips. My sleep system for early season is a Therm-a-rest Ridge rest 77x25 with an added 36in section of an old Ridge rest pad for hips and shoulders. The bag is a Kingcamp 20 degree F down extra wide bag. My pillow is a inflatable with a small added pillow inside. I'am a restless sleeper and after much trial and error this system works for me I had noticed more water in the canoe then expected wetfooting and discovered a patch had let go in the bow. I have beat the hell out of this boat over the years and all the temporary repairs seem to become permeant . JB weld to the rescue! Gorilla glue clear sealer in the morning and I'll be back in business. Dinner that night was home dehydrated black beans and rice with a single serve package of Spam added for zing. Much better than it sounds. A mug of hot chocolate, fire gazing and a few stars and off to bed. Tuesday started out perfect with a blue sky and slight breeze. Dozens of small blueish white butterflies everywhere. Black flies are starting to hatch but not a problem yet. Fire wood was in short supply but I wanted some more time for the canoe repairs to dry before heading out to find more and to explore the lake, time for more coffee. I had discovered another small problem when fixing dinner last night, my stove or rather the fuel canister was acting up, sputtering and going out. I changed canisters and everything was all right but that meant I would have to rely on wood for at least some of the cooking. In the afternoon I explored the lake , gathered some wood , read and took a nap. Allen lake is just a quiet little lake, it doesn't have any dramatic vistas or rock formations but is well worth your time to visit.
Part 3 of 3
The campsite on Allen was nicer than expected, the landing was only so-so but the kitchen and fire grate were clean and had a brand newish flat bench. Two ok tent pads and a possible third further back away from the lake. Good tarp or hammock options. I set up camp. Some more details: My tent is a 20 or so year old Ozark Trails Wally world 2man tent 6.6 lbs. Maybe it's a fluke but the tent has given me good service on at least 6 BWCA trips and dozens of short weekend trips. My sleep system for early season is a Therm-a-rest Ridge rest 77x25 with an added 36in section of an old Ridge rest pad for hips and shoulders. The bag is a Kingcamp 20 degree F down extra wide bag. My pillow is a inflatable with a small added pillow inside. I'am a restless sleeper and after much trial and error this system works for me I had noticed more water in the canoe then expected wetfooting and discovered a patch had let go in the bow. I have beat the hell out of this boat over the years and all the temporary repairs seem to become permeant . JB weld to the rescue! Gorilla glue clear sealer in the morning and I'll be back in business. Dinner that night was home dehydrated black beans and rice with a single serve package of Spam added for zing. Much better than it sounds. A mug of hot chocolate, fire gazing and a few stars and off to bed. Tuesday started out perfect with a blue sky and slight breeze. Dozens of small blueish white butterflies everywhere. Black flies are starting to hatch but not a problem yet. Fire wood was in short supply but I wanted some more time for the canoe repairs to dry before heading out to find more and to explore the lake, time for more coffee. I had discovered another small problem when fixing dinner last night, my stove or rather the fuel canister was acting up, sputtering and going out. I changed canisters and everything was all right but that meant I would have to rely on wood for at least some of the cooking. In the afternoon I explored the lake , gathered some wood , read and took a nap. Allen lake is just a quiet little lake, it doesn't have any dramatic vistas or rock formations but is well worth your time to visit.
discuss this trip report (9 comments) - last post on June 02, 2021