BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
April 20 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.
Sawbill Loop to Cherokee
Entry Date:
September 01, 2018
Entry Point:
Sawbill Lake
Number of Days:
6
Group Size:
4
Sat Sept 1 2018 Met Dad, Chris, and Mike in Duluth. Lunch at Grandma's bar. Traveled to Tofte to pick up BWCA entry permit. Continued on to Crescent Lake campground to consolidate and organize equipment. Ate brats for dinner. Weather was warm but comfortable. Campsite 12 with lake access was nice. Calm lake early AM for sunrise.
Sun Sept 2 2018 Woke up early with plans to get to Sawbill Lake and in the water by 8 am. Got in the water close to on time, however, discovered a leak in Mike/Andy aluminum canoe and had to paddle back to outfitter to rent canoe. Headed in to BWCA with overcast skies. First portage into Alda Creek 80 rods was challenging and a good intro into what was to come. Short paddle thru Alda Creek to a very mucky portage 80 rods. Had mud up to knees at the landing. Rain came after this portage but was short lived. Another short paddle to a longer Rocky and muddy portage. Finally finished our portage with a 180 rod portage to Cherokee Creek. This was long but mostly dry and maintained. Cherokee Creek had small Beaver dam to traverse. Got to destination lake by 3ish PM. Checked a few sites but opted for one near our future portage. Steaks and mashed potatoes for dinner. Andy sprained ankle after anchor for hammock failed. Quite sore and difficult to put weight on it. Hanging out bear bag was an adventure but we were able to get it up to a mildly acceptable height.
Mon Sept 3 2018 Sleeping in felt great. Mike woke up early and had already caught the biggest fish of the day. Got breakfast of eggs, ham, and coffee together while we gathered wood and cleaned up. Went fishing for several hours around lunch time. Mike 1 northern early Am. Chris 1 northern and one that got away. Craig two northern (one kept, one released) plus a possible bass that got away. Andy one northern. Had summer sausage and soup for lunch. Fish and Rice for dinner. Filleted fish on island near our site. Left the fish remains for the bald eagles stalking nearby. Plan to head to new site tomorrow with potential for a longer day of paddle/portage.
Tues Sept 4 2018 Woke up around 630 to get packed and ready for the day. Breakfast of oatmeal and coffee (bwca pourover). Got to the portage by 9am. Challenging portage with a fair amount of up and down. Ended in Sitka lake for short paddle and 80 rod portage to N. Temperance then to S. Temperance. At S. Temperance rain started falling in steady sheets. Longest portage of the day from S. Temperance to Weird Lake (240 rods) was flat but long and complicated by the stream that was forming due to rain. Arrived at Kelly Lake for camp at around 4 via Jack Lake. Mist was strong with a steady wind into our faces. Picked camp that would shield from wind. Beef stroganoff for dinner. Struggle remains with bear bagging and these pines. Too wet for fire. Hoping for a clear day tomorrow for more fishing. 1 more night at Kelly camp.
Wed Sept 5 2018 Wind picked up over the evening. Clothes were blown off the line but no additional rain. Chilly and windy in AM. North facing camp did not allow for much sun. Put up wind block with tarp which helped some. Overcast skies eventually cleared to blue skies. Fishing outing was unsuccessful but a very beautiful paddle. Bear bagging was more successful today by throwing to higher branch. Meals today were eggs/ham, chili, and taco chicken burritos. Move out if camp to last site tomorrow likely at Smoke Lake.
Thur Sept 6 2018 Chilly AM. Kelly lake was not visible early morning due to mist from lake. Light breakfast and coffee before heading out for light travel day. Hiked 230 rod portage which was challenging but fairly routine now. Short paddle across Burnt lake and 90 rod portage into Smoke. Camp set up before noon. Some fishing done today with minimal luck. Summer sausage for lunch and buffalo chicken Mac and cheese for dinner. Perfect bear bag tree today.
Fri Sept 7 2018 Lazy day today at Smoke Lake. Breakfast of coffee and egg burritos. Dad and Chris went and did some fishing. Caught small walleye. Andy fished from shore caught bass, walleye, and Pike. Fire in evening with dinner of pork rice and beans. Return to Sawbill outfitter tomorrow as early as possible in order to get back on the road home.
Sat Sept 8 2018 Up early before sunrise to pack up camp. Departed camp at around sunrise. Portage between Smoke and Sawbill was mucky initially but cleared up after the swampy landing. Peaceful paddle on the way home. Made it to Sawbill before outfitter opened. Wifi was a nice luxury. Checked in with everyone back home who were all safe and sound. ~Sawbill Lake, Cherokee Lake, Kelly Lake, Burnt Lake, Smoke Lake 
