Boundary Waters, Message Board, Forum, BWCA, BWCAW, Quetico Park
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.
 Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
    Trip Planning Forum
       Mudro to Iron via the Beartrap River - Sunday Lake Campsite Question
          Reply
Date/Time: 03/28/2024 06:06AM
Mudro to Iron via the Beartrap River - Sunday Lake Campsite Question

* Help stop spam. Please enter the lake name you see over the flying moose.

  

Previous Messages:
Author Message Text
John Moore 11/12/2021 05:39PM
Noslen: "We travelled with 4 in one tent in August 2012 (maybe not so current). Two obvious campsites on Sunday, we found the NW campsite much better. Believe there wouldn't be any problem for hammocks. The portages are fairly easy to find, although watch out for inaccuracies on older maps. Just remember beaver dam pullovers are part of the fun. We spent a very short day from Beartrap, and an easy day to Iron. Even later in the year the water level wasn'ta problem. "


Our travel time from Sunday to Beartrap was about 2 hr 20 min. Upon exiting the PMA we were met by forest service personnel who were sweeping the campsites because of the fires and told to exit. Total travel time from Sunday to Mudro parking lot was about 7 hr 30 min.
Noslen 11/12/2021 10:46AM
We travelled with 4 in one tent in August 2012 (maybe not so current). Two obvious campsites on Sunday, we found the NW campsite much better. Believe there wouldn't be any problem for hammocks. The portages are fairly easy to find, although watch out for inaccuracies on older maps. Just remember beaver dam pullovers are part of the fun. We spent a very short day from Beartrap, and an easy day to Iron. Even later in the year the water level wasn'ta problem.
straighthairedcurly 11/11/2021 10:07PM
Have a great time. Just make sure you have a PMA permit and a back up plan. My son's group had the PMA permit for that area and arrived at Sunday Lake only to discover a group camped there illegally. Not wanting a confrontation, they had to back track into a less than ideal spot to set up camp.
AirPrex 11/11/2021 10:33AM
Appreciate the responses. Sounds like we'll be able to make it work if we decide to go this route.
sns 11/11/2021 07:36AM
I hammocked (solo) at the NW site 14 months ago. I have a WB Ridgerunner (bridge) so I need more space between trees.


There was a dead tree next to the firepit that I did not consider. The most obvious hanging spot included the closest living tree to the firepit, and one to the east. But it was over jagged rocks.
Using an extension strap, I hung between that aforementioned tree to the east and one to the NW - perhaps a 25 foot spread.


Not many good options right in camp. But there is a trail heading into the woods to the NW and you likely can figure something out up that way.
KawnipiKid 11/10/2021 09:30PM
Two of us had a PMA permit and camped on Sunday Lake in September, 2021. I agree with John Moore. The large rock outcrop area on the NE side of Lake shouldn't be a problem for 4 hammocks. While this spot has evidence of previous use, we also thought it was the best choice for making the least environmental impact.
John Moore 11/10/2021 04:55PM
I camped on Sunday lake with one other person July 2021. Our direction of travel was from Iron lake towards Mudro lake. We chose to camp at the well used north campsite despite PMA authorization recommendations. I can not imagine what this area would look like if everyone portaged on a different trail or camp in a different campsite. This was a well traveled route, the portages and campsite looked no different than outside the PMA.



My PMA authorization states:


" Choose a campsite that is away from the lake, out of sight and on a durable surface (ledge rock, grass). Keep the campsite area as small as possible. If you see signs of a previous use, choose a different campsite so you do not further impact that area."


"Portages are not maintained and "brush crashing" may be required. You will make less of an impact by not following paths of others who have been there before you."



We circled Sunday lake and determined that using the north campsite was our best option and would least impact the environment. The campsite has a large rock landing and is fairly open with large trees. I reviewed some photos and to the best of my memory I feel that you would have no problem hanging 4 hammocks at or near that location.


AirPrex 11/10/2021 11:21AM
I've been looking through a lot of posts related to this route and PMA which has had some great information but noticed a comment in one old thread about this site potentially only accommodating 2 hammocks. Has anyone stayed here with more than 2 people? Our group would be 4 and we all hammock but could potentially bring a tent if needed, although this would not be ideal for a ~10 day trip with only 1 night staying on Sunday Lake.

Any other advice or observations from people who have been through this area would be appreciated as well as this would be our first experience with a PMA. We're thinking of going in late May so don't anticipate water levels being an issue based on what we've read.