BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
July 09 2025
Entry Point 16 - Moose/Portage River (North of Echo Trail)
Moose/Portage River (north) entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by La Croix Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 27 miles. Access is a 160-rod portage heading North from the Echo Trail.
Number of Permits per Day: 5
Elevation: 1348 feet
Latitude: 48.1230
Longitude: -92.0991
A favorite route offering many trip options and memorable things to see including;
World Class fishing for all four BWCA Species
Pictographs
Soaring granite hills and cliffs
Small lakes
Small rivers
Tumbling rapids and waterfalls
Wildlife, including Moose
Vistas from high points across the region if you're willing to climb. Rating Easy to Moderate. Day One. Get to EP16 off of the Echo Trail early. The initial portage is long, but well worn and smooth, sloping gently downgrade to the launch area. Load your canoe and head North. You'll be paddling with the slight current on this narrow winding river. The water is clear and make sure to tell the bowperson to watch for looming rocks!
Number of Permits per Day: 5
Elevation: 1348 feet
Latitude: 48.1230
Longitude: -92.0991
A favorite route offering many trip options and memorable things to see including;
World Class fishing for all four BWCA Species
Pictographs
Soaring granite hills and cliffs
Small lakes
Small rivers
Tumbling rapids and waterfalls
Wildlife, including Moose
Vistas from high points across the region if you're willing to climb. Rating Easy to Moderate. Day One. Get to EP16 off of the Echo Trail early. The initial portage is long, but well worn and smooth, sloping gently downgrade to the launch area. Load your canoe and head North. You'll be paddling with the slight current on this narrow winding river. The water is clear and make sure to tell the bowperson to watch for looming rocks!
Boundary waters trip Lake 1, 2 and 3
by CoreyL
Trip Report
Entry Date:
June 14, 2023
Entry Point:
North Kawishiwi River
Number of Days:
5
Group Size:
4
Trip Introduction:
The very first Todd, Mr. Saul, Levi, and I left off from Omaha Nebraska, and arrived in Ely, Minnesota. The next morning we woke up in the lodge of Kawishwi River and left at 8 am. We had 2, 30-rod portages and arrived on Lake 2 at 9:30.
Report
We arrived at Lake 2 around 9:30 and on Lake 3 at 10:00 when we started to look for a campsite. Then the next day and the rest of the time we fished for Waylle and Northern Pike. We went to horse shoe lake and lost all of our fish because Todd didn't tie the right knot on the canoe, we had around 4 Northern pike. Haha, From my experience I had a lot of fun and this year, 2024 we are going on a round trip with Cherokee Lake round trip, approximately 26 miles and 15 miles of portages all combined. This is a moving trip and looking forward to it. If you are thinking about going, I would consider it, if you do go, take pictures because you never know when you will go again.
discuss this trip report (11 comments) - last post on May 09, 2025