Boundary Waters Trip Reports, Blog, BWCA, BWCAW, Quetico Park

BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog

March 19 2024

Entry Point 55 - Saganaga Lake

Saganaga Lake entry point allows overnight paddle or motor (25 HP max). 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 55 miles. No motors (use or possession) west of American Point. Access to Canada (the Crown land and Quetico Park). Large lake with many campsites and easy access. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 15
Elevation: 1184 feet
Latitude: 48.1716
Longitude: -90.8868
Saganaga Lake - 55

One to remember

by ferris51
Trip Report

Entry Date: June 08, 2022
Entry Point: Saganaga Lake
Number of Days: 3
Group Size: 2

Trip Introduction:
Originally we planned to get to Ester and try our hand at catching some trout. It was also an introduction to the bwca for my buddy, but things didn't quite go as planned.

Day 1 of 3


Wednesday, June 08, 2022 Slept in my truck in Grand Marais the night before and got up nice and early for breakfast at South of the Border cafe, always so good. Went up the Gunflint to Seagull Outfitters and got a tow to American Point. We were able to make good time down to Ester and set up camp at the first site on the east side, by the portage to Ashdick. It's a nice campsite, we had room for our two hammocks, but there probably wouldn't have been room for more hammocks. There would be plenty of room for 2-3 tents. The mosquitoes on the portages and in camp were unreal. If you had any flesh exposed you got swarmed.

 



Day 2 of 3


Thursday, June 09, 2022 Tried our hand at trolling for some trout, we've never really fished trout before so just using spoons deep etc. After moving around and seeing the cliffs the wind started coming up so we headed back to camp. My buddy proceeded to get his finger in the way of the hatchet and sliced it to the bone. It was too late in the day to get out and he kept passing out so we cleaned and dressed it did our best to just rest it and get camp packed up for the next day.

 



Day 3 of 3


Friday, June 10, 2022 We got up early and packed up to head out. We made good time and were very thankful that we had the wind at our back. We had hoped to see a shuttle boat and get a tow back but no luck. Eventually after about 8 hours of paddling and some wrong turns we were able to get back into the river and get picked up. We got cleaned up and made our way back down the Gunflint and made it quite aways before the water pump went out on my truck. We were able to limp into Grand Marais but couldn't find anyone that would work on my truck at 4:45 on a Friday. I was finally able to bribe someone with an extra $100, but we needed to get moving so we were very thankful he helped us out.

All in all it was a good trip, just ended a little early. The mosquitoes were the worst I've experienced, I can't really speak about fishing since we didn't try too hard and we have zero experience fishing trout. My buddy kept his finger but probably won't ever be able to straighten it again.

 


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