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       Trip Report - Father-Daughter trip to Iron lake via EP16 Iron lake
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Date/Time: 03/28/2024 08:39AM
Trip Report - Father-Daughter trip to Iron lake via EP16 Iron lake

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Previous Messages:
Author Message Text
Eric7753 01/06/2017 07:07PM
Sorry the dates didn't match up Jaywalker, it would have been fun to meet someone from the forums. Both daughters have the bwca longing really good. We have started our planning for this years trip and they can hardly wait.



My 8 year old granddaughter has heard the stories of the trips and I even made up a wonderful bedtime story about the "magical enchanted wilderness up North". She will be coming on the soon to be planned 2018 trip.
Jaywalker 12/30/2016 07:47PM
Great report! I started at EP16 to LLC this last August, and parked in the lot right next to a father/daughter team heading north - started reading your report and wondered if it was you but the dates were off. Love that your daughter chose to start off portaging the canoe, and very impressed she knows Seinfeld and especially Star Trek (canoe portgage photo). Thanks for sharing, and good luck getting the rest of your clan hooked!
CityFisher74 12/28/2016 12:05PM
I really appreciate your family's service to our country. Thanks for the report, it was a treat to read especially with my EP16 trip coming up this summer. Not sure what our destination is yet, but EP16 will be our beginning.
ducks 12/28/2016 09:42AM
Great report and thanks for sharing. I love my daddy/daughter trips and the one on one bonding time is priceless. My 11 yo daughter did her 4th trip with me in August and my 9 yo daughter is doing her 3rd trip this coming summer. We alternate from year to year which daughter goes with me. I hope the tradition continues into their adulthood.
hooky 12/28/2016 08:45AM
Great report. Coming from the Indy area myself, I can relate to the drive being half the battle.
gymcoachdon 12/19/2016 11:36PM
I really enjoyed reading your trip report. My first trip was through some of the same water, about a week or so after yours. I entered Stuart River, then up to Iron, and out through Agnes and Moose River.


As far as the Bottle portage goes, there are 2 routes. The normal one is relatively flat, but muddy. There is a trail that runs south of it that goes over quite a bit of elevation, but is dry. I chose the dry route, but the trail was pretty steep. You still had one muddy section on the LLC side after it joins the original portage trail.
anthonyp007 12/19/2016 01:07PM
You're certainly right about both portages. I've done Bottle a few times and it's no picnic. It took me a good 10 minutes to find the portage to Iron from the beaver pond that's between LLC and Iron. Friends had told me "stay away" from that route (poison ivy, tough landings, etc), but I'd do it again in a heart beat. Either way, the view when you get through to Iron is one of my favorite in all of the BWCA. Thanks again, I can't wait to bring my kids up there with me. I'm taking my son (5) next summer for his first ever trip and I'm thinking we'll do EP 16 again or possibly EP 14 to see Devil's Cascade.
Eric7753 12/15/2016 12:05PM
We caught a few crappie, but walleye and bass primarily. We did the 155 rod portage going in and the alternate 2 portages on the way out. 6 of one half a dozen of the other...


I did research the 260 + rod portage and the reviews were it was hard to find and muddy/swampy around the interior pond. We gave it a half hearted look when leaving the ranger station, and ended up following our original plan to Bottle lake portage. The Bottle Lake portage, being on the Canadian side and well used from LLC outfitters, is a rough portage. Poorly maintained and very muddy through much of the portage. live and learn, next time we are in the area, 260+ rod portage may be the best bet.
anthonyp007 12/15/2016 10:18AM
Awesome Trip Report! Love the Seinfeld nicknames...I've run into plenty Lost Boys in Peterson Bay on Iron. You were on my personal favorite campsite on Iron, those otters are something else! That island is the only place that I've found the Minnesota State Flower, the Lady Slipper (in early June). Did you catch any crappie? I have pulled numerous giant crappie out of Peterson Bay in the past. That 115 rod portage to Agnes from the Boulder River is gorgeous, if you ever go back that way I highly recommend it.


Did you give any consideration to doing the portages east from the Ranger station to Iron? I'm curious to read your thoughts on this. Most people I know paddle up to Bottle, but I don't mind long portages so I tried it and made awesome time to Iron. It was a difficult two portages, but gorgeous and secluded. (No Richie Riches). ?? Love the pics, thanks for sharing!
missmolly 12/15/2016 08:38AM
Eric, that was a terrific trip report. You've got a terrific kid too. Well done, Dad!
boonie 12/14/2016 07:21PM
Thanks, I really enjoyed the report of your trip with your daughter - her first trip. Moose River was the entry for my first trip, so also called up some memories for me.
Eric7753 12/14/2016 06:51PM
Thank you and yes, the weddings are done, kids moved back and my wallet is empty. I will pass along the thanks and let Elizabeth take almost all the credit for the pictures. She took most of them.


I sent her the link for the trip report and she is going to write her version over her holiday break from school. If she contradicts any of my version, I look forward to her inaccurate account of the events.
FOG51 12/14/2016 02:50AM
As a Proud Navy Father thank your girls for the time they spent in the Navy from my sons and myself. Very nice report, sounds like you did good, got her hooked on canoeing. I'm sure as a father you "let" your daughter catch the most fish, anyway that's the story I go with when I go with my sons. Really nice pictures, some good camp pictures and the sunsets were really great. Thanks for allowing us to travel along with you two. If your daughter could post a trip report it would be fun to read her version [in the eyes of a newbee]. FRED
Mocha 12/13/2016 11:59PM
really enjoyed reading this story! your daughters will definitely keep you busy with future trips. the photography is wonderful, too!
since 2016 is almost over i'm guessing the weddings are done? any canoe-related decorations?
Eric7753 12/13/2016 10:06PM
New Trip Report posted by Eric7753

Trip Name: Father-Daughter trip to Iron lake via EP16 Iron lake.

Entry Point: 16

Click Here to View Trip Report