BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
July 06 2025
Entry Point 51 - Missing Link Lake
Missing Link Lake 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 45 miles. Access is a canoe landing at Round Lake with a 142-rod portage to Missing Link Lake. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.
Number of Permits per Day: 5
Elevation: 1498 feet
Latitude: 48.0731
Longitude: -90.8301
Missing Link Lake - 51
Number of Permits per Day: 5
Elevation: 1498 feet
Latitude: 48.0731
Longitude: -90.8301
Missing Link Lake - 51
Brant-Gilis-Tusc Loop Family guys trip
by BigToeDan
Trip Report
Entry Date:
June 23, 2023
Entry Point:
Brant Lake
Exit Point:
Missing Link Lake (51)
Number of Days:
3
Group Size:
7
Trip Introduction:
Took a trip to introduce my brothers, dad and another to the BWCA. Figured Brant would be a great start, because I know the area. We paddles to Gilis, and made our rounds to Tuscarora to finish a loop back to Round via Missing Link. Was a great trip overall. Fairly easy for myself, but a challenge for the others.
Day 1 of 3
Friday, June 23, 2023 Weather was a little warm, but great. Smoky haze filled the sky. Left 930am for Gilis. Reached Gilis, but no campsites, moved on to Crooked and camped the night. Noticed a plane on Gilis while we searched for a campsite. Figured it was forest service helping with the snipe fire, but figured out later a young man went missing (Wednesday) right where we were paddling. Was an eery feeling when we learned of the tragedy later on Sunday morning while leaving Tuscaroras long portage. We have a few guys in the group around that age. Beautiful night with a bit of rain. Some thunder rolls, but nothing else. Bunch of male loons fighting in front of our campsite.
Day 2 of 3
Saturday, June 24, 2023 Crew woke up and we decided we would stay at crooked, but since forecast was saying 18mph winds on Sunday, we decided to pack up and head to Tuscarora for the night. Conditions were wet and windy, but water was warm. My little brother caught 1 pike in the morning. We snagged a campsite on the island on Tuscarora. Bugs were not to bad with the windy conditions. Youngest brother caught 3 pike off the island. Night was a little wet, but no thunder.
Day 3 of 3
Sunday, June 25, 2023 rain in the morning. We decided to head home via Tuscarora to missing Link. Windy, but manageable. Group did well on the 400rd Tusc portage and we stopped to talked with a man who had just been finishing up a trip going solo. Ran into a group coming from Cold Water Foundation on the 140 to Round. Overall it was a good trip. Maybe a little wet, but manageable and a great learning curve for the ones who have never been to the BWCA on canoe. Packed out a lost paddle and Nalgene.
discuss this trip report (3 comments) - last post on June 26, 2023