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Date/Time: 03/28/2024 06:44PM
Huge solo trip

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Previous Messages:
Author Message Text
Bulldogge62 09/04/2019 09:50AM
Jackfish: "Bulldoggee, you would find this book a very interesting read.



Alone in a Canoe by Michael Kinziger. Mike was a college professor of mine and, to this day, remains one of the coolest guys that I've ever met. He was at the University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse when I knew him, but he moved out to Idaho and the University of Idaho where he now lives in retirement. After his retirement, he did a 5-week solo trip in Woodland Caribou, then did four other long solo trips in the succeeding years. He's a good writer and I didn't find it dry reading at all."

Thank you for sharing
I just ordered this
Bulldogge62 09/04/2019 09:37AM
Jaywalker: "Bulldogge62: "...Basically regretted the Temperance River, Fire chain and Lady chain from my original route in opening post."



Why did you regret these lakes? "

I ran out of time, I didn’t want to back track on my route. With the garmin inreach I was able to message home and wife set up shuttle ride from sawbill outfitters to ep 37 where my truck was parked.
So I never paddled the same lakes over the entire trip
Jaywalker 09/02/2019 03:31PM
Bulldogge62: "...Basically regretted the Temperance River, Fire chain and Lady chain from my original route in opening post."


Why did you regret these lakes?
boonie 09/01/2019 11:50AM
Bulldogge62: "boonie: "I don't know how much either, but my pants are always looser and my belt cinched up a hole or two . . ;). "
I reached the last belt hole for the first time ever, about 3 weeks in."



I'm on the last one, too, but I'm going the other way! :) I need to go on a 30-day trip . . .
Paddle4Hike 09/01/2019 08:40AM
Great to hear how well the trip went! Thank you for sharing your info with us.
Bulldogge62 08/29/2019 04:00PM
boonie: "I don't know how much either, but my pants are always looser and my belt cinched up a hole or two . . ;). "
I reached the last belt hole for the first time ever, about 3 weeks in.
Bulldogge62 08/29/2019 03:45PM
jillpine: "Michwall2: "I think you will find a much different bug profile from mid-May to July 4. Just saying. "
Great report! Thank you for taking tome to share. Thanks also to those who provided some nice details / advice prior to your trip. So next time you'd go mid May because of crowds? How much fuel did you bring? Thanks again. Really hope you can provide some route / pics. Thanks!

Mid-May - July will not only be different bug profile but I think also different weather in terms of storms. Seems like the unsettled weather is more early season. Also chilly water temps (and physical states -- ice ice baby!)"

Mid-May to July for better fishing and the weather. I’d enjoy experiencing the water warming up to the point of a swim after many days. I’ve been there for the fishing opener, so I know what to expect. Bugs are an inconvenience, but proper clothing and personal netting make it bearable.

I found enough solitude in July. Surprisingly, finding crowds where I expected to and leaving them behind at times

I brought about three liters of alcohol for my alcohol burner and twig stove. Figured I’d use alcohol on rainy days or if camp was sparse with debris. I found I had enough to use alcohol 90% of the time and came home with hardly a trace left.

My route got changed late in the trip and I used my Inreach to contact Sawbill Outfitters and got a shuttle from EP 38 back to my truck at EP 37.

Basically regretted the Temperance River, Fire chain and Lady chain from my original route in opening post.
boonie 08/29/2019 10:13AM
I don't know how much either, but my pants are always looser and my belt cinched up a hole or two . . ;).
Bulldogge62 08/29/2019 08:39AM
About 15 pounds according to my wife. I didn’t weigh myself before or after.
jillpine 08/29/2019 08:35AM
Thanks for this, Jackfish!
Jackfish 08/29/2019 08:00AM
Bulldoggee, you would find this book a very interesting read.


Alone in a Canoe by Michael Kinziger. Mike was a college professor of mine and, to this day, remains one of the coolest guys that I've ever met. He was at the University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse when I knew him, but he moved out to Idaho and the University of Idaho where he now lives in retirement. After his retirement, he did a 5-week solo trip in Woodland Caribou, then did four other long solo trips in the succeeding years. He's a good writer and I didn't find it dry reading at all.
jillpine 08/28/2019 07:49PM
Michwall2: "I think you will find a much different bug profile from mid-May to July 4. Just saying. "
Great report! Thank you for taking tome to share. Thanks also to those who provided some nice details / advice prior to your trip. So next time you'd go mid May because of crowds? How much fuel did you bring? Thanks again. Really hope you can provide some route / pics. Thanks!

Mid May- July will not only be different bug profile but I think also different weather in terms of storms. Seems like the unsettled weather is more early season. Also chilly water temps (and physical states -- ice ice baby!)
boonie 08/28/2019 07:46PM
Glad you had a great trip. Thanks for the detail.


Now for the BIG question - how much weight did you lose? ;)
Michwall2 08/28/2019 06:32PM
I think you will find a much different bug profile from Mid-may to July 4. Just saying.
Bulldogge62 08/28/2019 05:19PM
Food pack weighed 52 pounds at start, divided into four Ursacks, of which two were left untouched for first 16 days in order to have some of the “good stuff” at the end of the trip.
I brought home six dinners as I had fish 8x over the month
I couldn’t eat my oatmeal after about two weeks, so I brought home about fifteen of the oatmeal packs. It made me gag.
I made due with bars and jerky and gorp with coffee for breakfast.
Ended up bringing home about a half pound of beef jerky, too.
All bars, candy, dried fruit and nut mixes were consumed.
Three of the dinners returned were my homemade spaghetti, which I started with twenty.

Next time:
More dried fruit and candy
More salty trail mix and kind bars
More seasonings to dress up plain meals
More rice less pasta

Gear:
More TP. Didn’t run out, but cut it closer than I wanted.

Might leave tenkara fly rod at home.
Took three fishing rods and only had one by day 24. Broke two rod tips on the same portage (Howl swamp). I’d take three again.
Depending on the season, I’d take a pound of leeches again as they provided easy shore lunches from camp.

Tackle box:
Ran very low on jig heads, split shot and leech hooks
More tail dancers and deep divers
Fewer shallow running cranks

Next extended trip:
Longer
I never once felt lonesome or homesick.
Would go from mid-May to around 4th of July instead of mid-July to August.
Jaywalker 08/28/2019 11:54AM
Yeah, can't wait for this video! Congratulations and welcome back!
boonie 08/28/2019 11:38AM
Thanks for the report. I'm looking forward to the video. Also curious about the food questions.
straighthairedcurly 08/28/2019 11:06AM
Welcome back! Sounds wonderful. How much did your food end up weighing, and how much extra did you end up with? What would you change next time?
Bulldogge62 08/28/2019 10:34AM
I’m home.
Epic trip would be an understatement.
Caught the grand slam.
Stayed on all the best sites on every lake.
Stealth camped one night on a portage due to limited campsites and competition from other groups.
32 days were a walk in the park and already planning to go for 45 to 50 days next time as I brought home quite a bit of leftover food.
I never used bug spray or sun screen the entire trip.
Bugs were mind over matter as they were only bad at dawn and dusk.
Long sleeve sun shirt and wide brimmed hat for the win.
Triple portaging for first 10 days was not enjoyable and after that double portages on most days was still tough.
I found that I couldn’t go as far each day as I had hoped which lead to shorter travel days and stopping before noon most days. This allowed me to choose any site on most every lake I came to.

Thanks to everyone who posted their ideas and opinions on campsites and fishing spots. I had double digit catch days on every species but lake trout, including a 20 pike day on Long Island and close to 30 LM bass from Fisher in just a few hours one afternoon.
A dozen walleyes from camp shore on Polly the first day and 15 SM bass from shore on Adams island site.
Stuffed myself with blueberries and added raspberries where I could find them.
Spectacular encounters with wildlife, including a cow moose with her calf and five different interactions with otters.
Pine Marten on the Kek-Strup portage close up.
Many loon families with babies.
Angry beavers at three campsites.
No bears at all.
No wolves heard or seen.
Planning on a video documentary but not sure how soon.
boonie 07/18/2019 07:23AM
Yeah, I wish I were doing a long trip. Wet, mucky . . . as long as it ain't buggy!
Paddle4Hike 07/18/2019 12:19AM
Anybody else wishing they were in bulldogge’s shoes right now? Regardless of how wet or mucky.....
boonie 07/05/2019 08:13PM
Seven days to departure! Have fun! Go with the flow. Take lots of notes, some pictures, and tell us all about it when it's over.
minnmike 07/05/2019 09:17AM
I did my first solo last fall and it was awesome experience. My best tip is that with 30 days I would keep an open mind and don't be set on a specific route or camp site. The great thing about a long solo is you can do whatever you want so don't box yourself in too much. Another thing I've found is that what most group campers think is a great camp site doesn't really apply to soloing. Canoe landing and tent pad are about it other than the view of course.


I hope your trip is all you want it to be. Have a great time and please let us know how it went.
Bulldogge62 07/05/2019 09:07AM
boonie: "That'll be interesting. You must be getting excited now - 11 days! You can always triple portage for a while, so don't let the weight of all that food crush your spirit! :) Eat the heavy food first! That was our motto. "
Figuring on triple portaging for 8-10 days, unless they are very short and very easy. Excited doesn’t even come close. I’m leaving three days early to see the Dorothy museum and visit Ely. I haven’t been to Ely in over 35 years.
boonie 07/04/2019 12:33PM
That'll be interesting. You must be getting excited now - 11 days! You can always triple portage for a while, so don't let the weight of all that food crush your spirit! :) Eat the heavy food first! That was our motto.
Bulldogge62 07/04/2019 12:22PM
boonie: "Yeah, food weight really starts to add up after half that. I had 17 days last fall and was still able to double portage, but probably not with another 18 lbs.

I'd be interested in knowing how much your 30 days of food weighs.

The back-to-back portages into Polly - neither is real long or hard, but neither is short and easy either. But with only a 2-3 minute paddle between . . . "

Weighing all my gear next week. I’ll post food weight separately. Four Ursacks worth.
nctry 06/16/2019 01:09PM
TomT: "Reading your food plan and I have an idea for your breakfast. I also do oatmeal for the majority - but - recently I was turned onto Ova Easy powdered eggs and pre cooked bacon. It won't hurt to place a couple of these breakfasts in to have a bit of variety. Chedder sticks (like string cheese) on top of the eggs is good too. The bacon tastes incredible after 5 days of oatmeal. I used Hormel pre cooked bacon. It weighs next to nothing.


Ova Easy Eggs


I'll give credit to "Pine Knot" for this. He puts the bacon in the fry pan to warm it up and create a little grease for the pan. Do up the eggs and sprinkle or cut up the cheese and mix in a bit before the eggs are done. It's great for a layover lazy morning and the eggs are surprisingly very good! Pine Knot also uses powdered milk instead of water to mix up the batter.



"





Add a little “slap yo mamma” seasoning to those eggs to taste.


Island site on boulder was my favorite on my forty day solo.
TomT 06/16/2019 08:04AM
Reading your food plan and I have an idea for your breakfast. I also do oatmeal for the majority - but - recently I was turned onto Ova Easy powdered eggs and pre cooked bacon. It won't hurt to place a couple of these breakfasts in to have a bit of variety. Chedder sticks (like string cheese) on top of the eggs is good too. The bacon tastes incredible after 5 days of oatmeal. I used Hormel pre cooked bacon. It weighs next to nothing.

Ova Easy Eggs

I'll give credit to "Pine Knot" for this. He puts the bacon in the fry pan to warm it up and create a little grease for the pan. Do up the eggs and sprinkle or cut up the cheese and mix in a bit before the eggs are done. It's great for a layover lazy morning and the eggs are surprisingly very good! Pine Knot also uses powdered milk instead of water to mix up the batter.






boonie 06/15/2019 09:12PM
Yeah, food weight really starts to add up after half that. I had 17 days last fall and was still able to double portage, but probably not with another 18 lbs.


I'd be interested in knowing how much your 30 days of food weighs.


The back-to-back portages into Polly - neither is real long or hard, but neither is short and easy either. But with only a 2-3 minute paddle between . . .
Jaywalker 06/15/2019 04:33PM
I just love this. Please, please take a photo of all your prepared food laid out on a table before you seal and pack it all up, then report back how it went after. Last year I was planning 17 day trip (had to cancel at last minute) with my dog (think 1.25 lbs dog food x 18 days), and had the same idea of sealing 1/2 up separately to force me all the way through the first half.

There have been a few other guys around here that have done trips on the order of 30 days. May want to look through the trip reports to see any advice they had, and reach out to them too with questions.
Bulldogge62 06/14/2019 07:18PM
Gonna eat a ton of dehydrated spaghetti portioned into 4 oz servings (16 made so far)
Dehydrator has been running 24/7
Oatmeal every breakfast with nuts and or dried fruit
A few favorite commercial dinners
A bunch of rice with
Freeze dried ground beef or chicken and
A big variety of dehydrated veggies from harmony house
Jerky
Dividing everything into 2 piles
One pile for second half will be vacuum sealed and kept sealed until day 15
Forcing me to eat the stuff I don’t like as much, so I don’t eat same dinner for last 12 nights
I have 2 large ursacks and one smaller one, as it gets closer and all my food is prepared I might need a 4th ursacks
Might be triple portaging to start, that back to back into Polly got my attention last September
flynn 06/14/2019 09:37AM
I'm envious of this trip. It covers a huge area that I'd like to see. Boulder, Adams, and Little Sag are all on my list. Hopefully in 1 trip, maybe the year after next.


For what it's worth, regarding bears on Knife, last year I stayed on the big island in SAK, as well as a site near the Bonnie portage, and a site further west on the edge of a hill (facing Robbins Island I believe) and neither saw nor heard any signs of bears. First trip with near-Bonnie site was early June, second trip with SAK and west Knife site was in mid Sept. I have read about some nosy bears in SAK but was thankful not to be bothered by them.


Also, the Kekekabic site due west of the portage from Pickle is a beaut with a decent amount of room, and an incredible short hike up to a lookout over the whole lake. I think Kek looks stunning when looking west to east. You get to see all of the points overlapping each other as the lake tapers down. Highly recommended.


Good luck!!
x2jmorris 06/14/2019 09:21AM
bwcasolo: "what will you eat, and how will you carry food for 30 days? curious."


This is always my question. Even 10 day trips it seems like you have to carry too much. Then there is the alcohol debacle.
boonie 06/14/2019 09:18AM
Also curious - double portage?
bwcasolo 06/14/2019 07:12AM
what will you eat, and how will you carry food for 30 days? curious.
Bulldogge62 06/13/2019 07:57PM
paddlinjoe: "I would just offer a thought/philosophy on looking for dead end lakes with campsites which are near your route. Calico and Kettle Lake would be examples along your route. "
Absolutely dead ends are on my radar, in fact I was just discussing this.
Jaywalker 06/13/2019 02:47PM
Sounds like an amazing opportunity for a trip. Very curious - are you planning to carry 30 days worth of food? It doesn't look like you are planning resupply. Hats off to you for managing that - takes discipline - and hopefully the fish will help provide some lean protein. Blueberries will be in season about then too.


Just a couple thoughts to toss out there: after Koma maybe head over to Fishdance. The pictos there are great, and its a cool little lake. I stayed at a site almost across from them - nice little site I thought. As mentioned already, the one on Amber is very nice too. I love that Beaver/Adams/Boulder zone. Not sure, but I think that might just be the "middle" of the BWCA - as far from any entry point as you can get. Knife is great - lots of awesome sites. Take extra care with your food up there - seems there are always nosy bears up there. As mentioned, Frost is really nice and good fishing. Like Boonie I stayed on the middle site last year and rather liked it - deeper water than on the east, and a rare site with an abundance of good firewood. If you are ahead of schedule and adventurous (like a 30 day solo isn't enough), you could go down the Frost River to head back toward Alton/Sawbill.


I wish I could provide more and better advice about fishing, but I will add this: you are crossing a good number of laker lakes. At that time of the year they will be deep. Get a couple of purple Taildancers, add a big weight in front of it a few feet, and troll all over with a lot of line out and you will likely find some. Worked for me last August on Oyster.


Have fun, and can't wait to hear how it goes!
paddlinjoe 06/13/2019 10:16AM
That sounds like a wonderful route with plenty of time to enjoy it. A lot of great campsite information has already been given. I would just offer a thought/philosophy on looking for dead end lakes with campsites which are near your route. Calico and Kettle Lake would be examples along your route. You are looking forward to the trip, I'm looking forward to a trip report that covers a trip like that. Have a great time!
boonie 06/12/2019 10:00PM
That'll be a nice trip. I've been on parts of it. Been in that entry several times, last in 2016. Kawishiwi to Malberg/River Lake is pretty straightforward, but conditions vary with beaver dam construction and water levels, so Michwall's info is more recent, but you shouldn't have any real troubles here. You'll be on north end of Polly in 4 hours (double portage), Most campsites will do for a solo. I just want a good tent pad and no bear sign. I've stayed at #1072 and #1074 there. I've also stayed on #1078. On Malberg I've stayed on #1053 (narrows) - I like elevated sites, but it's seen a lot of use. I've also stayed at #1042 in the NW corner. Nice site, but if there's a storm, water will run straight through the camp and firepit. Nice sand beach, nice rock at end. Sees a lot of use also.


I can fill in some information on the Beaver/Adams/Boulder/Sagus area. In 2016 (see trip report) I went from Malberg to Fishdance, then did the Alice/Cacabic/Thomas/Fraser route like Michwall, but went E through Sagus, Roe, Cap, then S through Boulder and Adams. I've also gone N from Beaver to Adams.


Some of the pictures here may be useful. Click on the thumbnails and most of the pictures will then show captions. The 2016 album along with the trip report may be helpful, 2015 will show some of the Howl crossing from Snipe through Copper to Tuscarora, then on to Mora, 2013 was a #37 entry N to Adams - the same direction you'll be headed - has pictures of the start of the Beaver-Adams portage (yes, it's there). It's a really cool portage, slightly uphill, but not hard. 2014 was another 37 entry N to Little Sag then S through Mesaba to Sawbill.


I've stayed on Adams once on site #1045, OK for a solo, and I liked it, but some may not. It didn't look used much, has a challenging granite landing, a long steep climb to the top. Great views from up there, but very exposed if there's lightning. Adams is a beautiful lake - spend some time paddling around on it. A very intimate paddle from there to Boulder (see pictures). As a side note, the same is true of the Alice to Cacabic to Fraser section. I took the Cap-Ledge portage out of Cap, then the portage down to Boulder. Shortly after you head N out of Boulder, you'll cross the creek and have a very steep short climb. Then gradual uphill to the intersection, and downhill to Cap. From Boulder to the intersection seems longer than it shows on the map.


We stayed at camp #812 on Little Sag , which is a very nice site. Nice easy scenic portage to Mora. The Tarry landing on the Tarry-Crooked portage is, shall we say, awkward, especially solo. On Tuscarora, camp #512 is nice. I've also stayed at #542.


Going from Tuscarora across Howl to Snipe is a neat experience. Snipe is a cool lake to paddle around. Heading S through Rib, I've stayed on Karl At #572.


I stayed on Frost last fall on #880, the middle site, right on the big beach. Saw a moose in the weedy bay E of there. The site E of that would be nice, too, but was occupied when I got there.


In 2014, we stayed on Sawbill site #914, which was a nice site.


Hope something in there is helpful. Have a great trip!
cowdoc 06/12/2019 09:44PM
I'm envious. I'll add a few thoughts.
Polly....far SE bay has a site not marked on some maps. Nice site, off the travel route, walleyes.
Malberg....mid lake site 1053, sits high, nice view, decent site. Far north bay site 1051 very nice with sand beach. Far NW site 1042 has small beach and opens up into nice site.
Adams....island site is superb. Site on the point to east is decent, sits up high.
Ogish....lots of good sites. Unmarked site as you go into bay to Spice portage is very nice.
Phoebe.....island sites 1024, 1026.
Tusc....542, 519, 520....all very good.
Burnt has a couple of good sites and good walleye fishing.
Little Sag....lots of good sites in southern part.....north side got burned in 07 or 06
Bulldogge62 06/12/2019 05:06PM
Gonna mark up my maps with this info. Thank you so very much.
Michwall2 06/12/2019 11:13AM
Wow. That's quite a trip. I have been over most of this route on multiple trips, except the Adams, Boulder, Sagus area.


Kawishiwi to Malberg. I was through here last Aug. Nice paddle. Be prepared to pull over beaver dams. You don't need to use the first portage out of Square Lake, Just pull over a beaver dam. There will be a large beaver dam just before you get to Kawasachong Lake. There is more grass on the left side. (Mud to the right.) . Lake Polly campsites are a crap shoot. We used the one on the north point of the central peninsula (#1073). Nice 4 star. On Koma, the campsite on the peninsula is the best on the lake. On Malberg, we have used a couple sites that I like. Avoid the one at the narrows headed northeast out of Malberg. There is one just south of that on the south shore that is a nice 4 star site (#1057). Right next to where the Louse river enters is a nice 4 star site (#1056). There is a smaller site that is would be nice for a solo or small group on the opening of the narrows into the west bay (#1041). Nice landing, small tent pad & kitchen area. Latrine is close to the camp.


If you have a day to spend slightly off course, a night on Amber Lake would be nice. There is a nice 4-5 star site just as the channel opens into the lake(#1044). We stopped in there for a visit on the way back from Fishdance and the pictos last fall. According to others the fishing there is pretty good.


I will pass on the Adams/Boulder/Sagus route. We went through Alice, Cacabic, Thomas and Fraser on our trip.


Wisini and Strup Lakes was a nice route. Wisini has some spectacular cliffs. We stayed on the island site on Kekakabic Lake. It's a nice 4 star with lots of room(#1472).


A stop at Thunder Point for the view is required. There is a spot to pull your canoe out of the water and a switchback path up the hill. I know you are headed west first on Knife Lake so probably will find a campsite out there, but we have used the site on the southern most tip of the big island on SAK(#1431). Ratings vary from 3-5 stars. We spent 2 nights here. Head up the hill behind the campsite and scope out the perfect sitting rock up there. On a windy layover day, my son spent hours in the natural chair reading and just watching the lake.


As you have noted, Eddy Falls should not be missed. Pick a couple different spots to follow a trail in as you head up to the top of the portage trail. Take a second to step over to the top of the falls and look out over SAK and the cliffs. Spectacular view.


We passed through Eddy, Jenny, and Annie Lakes. All are pretty. Ogishkemuncie can get busy. We passed through and stayed on the first site on Mueller Lake(#1843). Its kind of brushy, but had raspberries as I recall. But given that you are fishing, perhaps someone else could give you a recommendation on Ogish so you can spend some time fishing this popular lake. We spent a night at the site at the narrows (#788), but it is a busy spot and I would look further if given the chance to be there again.


Make sure you visit Mueller Falls. As you portage from Mueller to Agamok, you will cross the Kekekabic Trail. (It is a pretty big intersection.) . Walk about a quarter mile east. You will find a bridge over the river at the falls. The falls are both above and below the bridge. Beautiful spot. (Make sure to get your bearing before you head out to complete your portage. Would hate for you to end up where you started. Or worse yet a half mile west on the Kekekabic Trail!)


We made sure that we were crossing Gabimichigami in the morning to try to avoid the winds on this dangerous lake. Passing from Gabi to Little Sag you have to paddle through Rattle Lake. The portage out of the lake is from the northwestern arm of the lake. A little counter-intuitive as it is the bay the furthest away from L. Sag.


Little Sag is one of my favorite places in the BW. I don't get here nearly enough and when I do, my stays are too short. One of my favorite campsites in all the BW is here. On the south shore on a peninsula, it is the one furthest east without entering the narrows. (#531). Don't stay here if there are thunderstorms in the forecast. Very exposed to lightning. But the big sky views are tremendous. Star watching from here is amazing. The climb up and down the sides are steep, but well worth it. If you are looking for a more sheltered spot, head to campsite furthest east. It is on a island and well protected in the last bay of L. Sag(#540). What I like here is the sound of the rapids, and the view of a very little island that usually has a small tree hanging on for dear life. There is another on this bay as well that has a climb up to a rock shelf over looking the bay.


The portage east out of Little Sag to Mora is a very pretty walk along a scenic rapids. Steep up at first, but very easy after. On the other hand, the portage at the north end of Tarry Lake starts on a boulder field. Please be careful here. Once you get to the portage, there is a nice rapids to visit along the portage to Crooked Lake.


Crooked Lake has a beautiful 5 star site on the western end of the island(#513). You can usually see fish in the water just off the rock. (When you are not jumping in the water from there to swim.)


The island site on Tuscarora is a great spot(#519). Easy landing. Nice flat tent sites. Great western views. The island is criss-crossed with trails for access to fishing from shore.


The portage to Howl Swamp starts on a beautiful sand beach. The Howl Swamp has only a dredged channel to paddle through. Muddy on both ends. The rest of the route to Cross Bay Lake is kind of up and down. Take the portage into the west bay of Long Island Lake. Its an easy walk and another sand beach is on the Long Island Lake side. We have stayed on 3 sites on the LIL. I would try the island site in the western bay (#567). Since you are headed to Cherokee, I would skip the other 2 way on the eastern end of LIL.


If you have the time to spend a night on Frost Lake, please do. Take the second site as you head counter-clockwise around the lake (#879). It is next to a long beautiful sand beach. You can get up in the morning and watch the moose come out to walk the beach.


Cherokee Lake has many great campsites. Everyone has their opinions, but mine are: The one at the north end of the first island (#893). Easy take out. Flat tent pad. Some nice trails to explore. AND, the one at the tip of the peninsula out of the east shore (#897). Lots of space. Great landing. etc.


The portage out of Cherokee is rather strait up. There is a set of stairs in the rock and the staging area is at the top of the first climb up the stairs. In my mind this is one of the hardest portages in all the BW. Never a flat spot and one large boulder step up or down.


The best site on South Temperance is in the northwestern corner (#910). This one provides some shade. The bear hang is not great, but it is more secluded than the others and has some good fishing nearby.


The route through the Temperance River Lakes is another favorite. Jack Lake has a 3 star site on the peninsula. Don't forget to search out the abandoned mine to the west of the start of the Jack/Kelly portage. The portage to Burnt has several up and downs in it. Burnt Lake has two campsites I can recommend. The southern most site is a pretty spot (#822). The site on the southern peninsula is also a good spot (#924).


While I have often paddle their waters, I have never stayed on Sawbill or Alton. Beth Lake has a several nice sites on it. Any of the three north shore sites will work.


Grace Lake is a beauty. We have stayed there several times. We have used the campsite on the south shore closest to the west portage (#828). It has a nice take out. Good kitchen. A spot to hang a tarp, etc.


We have never stayed on Phoebe Lake. Unless you are staying there for the walleye, it always seems to be the wrong time of day to stop and make camp. Also most of the campsites involve paddling a long way south off the travel route. It would be good for solitude (maybe), but again it always seems the wrong time of day when we are passing through.


After you leave Knight Lake and paddle the Phoebe River heading west, there is a rock garden that is completely impassable, EXCEPT, for the channel that has been cleared along the north side. Look on Google Earth or any other satellite map for that stretch. You can clearly see the channel. In most cases, you can't see it from the water. You have to know it is there.


Hazel Lake has a great campsite on the west shore (#1068). Up off the water and nice trees and duff.


This bring you back to Lake Polly! Phew! I hope this all helps. Have a great trip!
Bulldogge62 06/12/2019 10:38AM
06/12/2019 10:24AM
Came together quickly. My life has taken a turn and I have a chance to spend 30 days on a solo trip. Entering at EP37 and heading north thru Malberg, Adams and Boulder to the border.

Have to go west from there to set foot on Isle of Pines, making good on something I passed on over 35 years ago. I still remember the smoke curling up from the chimney of Dorothy’s cabin as we paddled by on a windy, rainy and cold morning opting to put miles behind us and not stopping for root beer.

We would go east thru SAK to Ogish, Gabi and Little Sag, then over to Tuscarora and down thru Long Island and Cherokee to the Temperance River. Then we'd head through the Fire Chain and Sawbill, then across Alton and the Lady Chain, back to Polly and south to Kawishiwi. My mind is spinning. July 15 cannot arrive soon enough.

Looking for any tips, from best campsites to fishing holes that you’re willing to share.