BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
April 19 2024
Entry Point 39 - Baker Lake
Number of Permits per Day: 2
Elevation: 1497 feet
Latitude: 47.8452
Longitude: -90.8169
Summary: A 5-day loop from Baker up the Temperance lakes to Cherokee, and back through Sawbill and Smoke lakes back to Baker. A fairly difficult trip.
Day 0: We drove up from Stillwater in the morning and camped at one of the 5 walk-in campsites at Baker Lake, and it was nice.
Day 1 (Baker to S. Temperance) - A beautiful day, we decided to paddle all the way to South Temperance the first day which was a great paddle with easy portages except for the last one. We picked the campsite on top of a huge rock that was close to the middle of the lake. Tried fishing some but no luck
Day 2 (Rest) - In the night, we encountered the worst storm of the entire season. While we were there 19 people had to be rescued from the BWCA. We had about 50mph straightline winds, and I'm still surprised that the huge tent we had stood up to it. We slept in and took a rest day because of the intense winds. Amazingly beautiful sunset.
Day 3 (S. Temperance to Cherokee) - We left as early as we could to beat the heat, but it was no good. The lengthy, hilly portages were challenging and by the last portage we were pretty beat. We overpacked and single portaged which led us to speedier exhaustion. Still amazing weather. North Temperance was a beaut- I wish we had stayed there instead of South. We took the southeasterly facing campsite on Cherokee on the southeastern skinny island. Neat little site.
Day 4 (Cherokee to Sawbill) - Left a little later in the day but it was ok. We took our time going down the river letting out of the southwest part of Cherokee and it was a great area. BEWARE: The area between Ada and Skoop Lakes appears to be floatable, but a dam built recently has made the portion impossible to float. Be prepared for a long portage through muck and water. A guy that we saw there said he had been going to the BWCA for 40 years at least once per year and it was the worst portage he had ever seen. By the time we got to Sawbill it was pretty hot. We paddled all the way down to the site next to the portage onto Smoke.
Day 5 (Sawbill to Baker) - Cooler, cloudier weather for the first time on the trip. We were pretty hungry (I underpacked food a little and I felt really bad) and we were taunting each other with vivid descriptions of the burgers we were going to eat ASAP after getting out. We paddled back to Baker and returned our gear to Sawtooth outfitters.
Overall great route.
Group of 9 Basecamping at Burnt
Entry Date:
June 15, 2010
Entry Point:
Sawbill Lake
Exit Point:
Baker Lake (39)
Number of Days:
5
Group Size:
9
After work, 5 of us leave the Twin Cities in minivan with 2 canoes atop for the North Shore. Stop at Subway in Cloquet for supper. Isaiah (2nd son) calls on phone to declare: "You moron, you forgot the food!" And I did. I really did. The 5gal bucket with all of my repackaged food is next to the piano... and a few refrigerated items are still in the fridge. I can't believe I did that; beside myself. I was so proud of myself, for how easy our departure was... for how organized I was. And now I did this to the rest of the group. Uff da x 8. Lisa (my wonderful wife) agrees to drive north while we drive south; we meet at Rock Creek... we grab the food... then head north again over 2 hrs delayed. Lisa saved the day. We arrive at Sawbill Campground after midnight, where the remaining 4 of our group of 9 wait. Pitch tent fast and start sleeping.
Our group consists of the full 9 with 4 BW rookies. Me, my son Christian (16) plus friends Scott, Becky, Rich, Gina and their kids Zach (14), Elise (12) and Nicole (10). After breakfast we listen to The Video, get permit, park my vehicle at the Baker Lake entry point..., then put in before noon.
Our destination is Burnt Lake. 100 rod Portage to Sawbill>Smoke is easy to find; we portage across smoothly; now we all know what portaging is like. I learn something; portaging my not-made-for-the-BWCA 16' Mad River Adventure is even harder than I anticipated. With middle seat on my shoulders, stern is heavier than bow, and keeping bow down tires my arms more than I anticipated. After carrying it alone for a while, I give up... and choose to portage by handles, 2 people.
Entry shoreline on Smoke is a bog; walk planks to get to water; neat experience.
Smoke>Burnt portage is 90 rods; no problems... though Burnt side is awfully rocky; no dry footing here.
We check out a few campsites on Burnt; some are occupied; some are nice, but not meant for large group. We settle on peninsula site centrally located on NW side of Burnt. It is a great site for this group, with private tent pads and nice triangle of trees to hang hammocks from. Rocky mini peninsulas are kid bait. Weather is great, kids are happy and the evening weather is beautiful. We fish. Elise catches a large Smallie! Christian hooks a keeper Walleye. It is a beautiful dusk; day ends at campfire with clear sky and stars. ***Breakfast was breakfast tacos. ***Supper was red beans n rice with chicken… with instant pudding. 
It is windy today... all day. We hang close to the campsite. Leeches with bobber and split shot (we'll call it the TGO method) catches pike. Tossing crankbaits offshore into the channel hooks Walleye. Huh? Got that backwards? Nope; that's what happened.
Before entering the tent after midnight, Christian and I look south across the lake; there is still light on the horizon; I bet it is never really dark here this time of year
After supper the wind dies, and I go paddling/fishing shorelines with Christian (son) and Scott; most excellent. They both hook fish... Smallie, Pike and and an Eye. I paddle and troll; they cast. Day ends at the campfire with cloudy sky, Shiraz, Pinot Grigot, cheese, crackers, bad jokes and laughter… but no stars. ***Breakfast was pancakes with syrup and walnuts. ***Supper was fresh fish + teriyaki noodles & rice with pink M&M’s for dessert.
4 of nine must head home today, fairly early; after breakfast, they break camp... then 2 adults and 2 kids load into canoe and head back to Sawbill. After some discussion, we determine that the rest of us need to head home today, a day early; plans in the outside world dictate. We break camp. Packing to leave is always so much easier than packing to go; “just put it in any bag, and we’ll sort it out when we get home.” After checking the campsite for cleanliness, we head towards Baker Lake. Portage from Burnt>Kelly is 230 yards. It's a doozie. I devise a plan to carry my canoe on my own though; I hang my son’s day pack from the bow so the that bow & stern are balanced; it makes all the difference, and I portage the canoe (in 2 shifts) myself. The trail is hilly and muddy… but clear.
Kelly makes a great impression on me; it is pretty, and I think I prefer this size of lake. No other party is in site; paddling thru is great.
We line our canoes thru the Kelly>Peterson rapids… and we line our canoes thru the Peterson>Baker rapids.
I’m thinking… I wouldn’t mind coming back just to camp on Peterson or Kelly.
The van is waiting for us at the Baker Lake entry; we throw it all in… then head for home. ***Breakfast was Bacon Smash. ***Supper was Perkins, in Duluth.