BWCA EP 39 or EP 50,51 Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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LetsGoFishing
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05/03/2017 01:43PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I'm thinking I'm going to take my wife and 7yo daughter to the BWCA in mid July. this will be my daughter's 2nd trip. We did the Lizz Lake entry to Horseshoe 2 summers ago. We'll be going for 5 or 6 days this time. We usually base camp, but I think we might move camp a couple times this go around. My goals with this trip are overall decent fishing, including a trip to a brook trout lake (I've caught lots of trout, but never a laker or a Stillwater brookie, always fly fishing in streams), chance for moose sightings, and not a lot of large water. I've been stuck between EP 39 or 50, 51.

I like the river feel of the EP39 route, but it doesn't have a bunk house or motel readily available, and I want to get an early start. With 50,51 I can leave from Tuscarora's dock, or just down the street, so there is the convenience factor. What are your thoughts on the pluses and minuses of these EP's?
 
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TuscaroraBorealis
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05/03/2017 04:04PM  
Using one, or a combination, of the 3 EPs near Tuscarora Lodge (Round Lake) would serve your needs quite nicely. There are some tougher portages in this area but, nothing that can't be overcome with proper attitudes & time allowance. Although the trail back to Mavis Lake has a really steep section.Obviously it would just be a day trip but, with a 7 year old along, you'll probably want to scout it out first.

Truth be told, we're planning a trip through EP 52 and out 51 with our 5 year old this June. And, we're hopeful of finding some brook & lake trout along the way as well. Our plan is to camp on Bingshick (brookies) and then try for Lakers and camp on Gillis & Tuscarora with a possible last night on Missing Link and another shot at some brookies.

Gillis & Tuscarora are the only lakes I'd consider 'bigger' bodies of water on this particular route.

05/03/2017 04:18PM  
I don't know about the fishing and haven't been in EP #39, but EP #51 is long portaging, if that matters with the wife and young daughter. EP #50 is more moderate portaging down to Long Island.
05/03/2017 06:14PM  
LGF, entry 39 is a great one with scenic lakes, good fishing, river like paddling sections and very good chances of seeing moose and other wildlife. To my knowledge I am not sure it would provide the trout fishing opportunity that you want. Other than that it is an easy route and a good one.

At the Baker Lake entry point there is a very nice little campground with 4 or 5 sites right on the lake. From there you can be at the landing in about 30 seconds from your site for an early entry. If you don't like that or it is full, there are also National Forest Service campgrounds at both Sawbill Lake and Crescent Lake, both pretty close. They are not hotels but what the heck, you are up there to go camping anyways aren't you? We almost always camp the night before in close proximity to our entry point, kind of eases the transition in to the wilderness and allows us to get organized and enjoy a peaceful evening before entering.

Can't speak to the other entry points but Baker lake is a good one. Portages are easy and at the north end of the Kelly to Jack lake portage there is a short trail to an abandoned gold mine which is kind of cool to see. Lots of artifacts in the area too.

If the trout thing is not a deal breaker I think it would be a good choice, or maybe I am missing the availability of trout somewhere in the area. If you get as far north as South Temperance Lake you will be on one of the prettiest lakes in the BWCA with some very nice campsites too.

Let me if you have any questions about the area, I have been there several times.

Trip report:

Baker Lake entry
05/03/2017 08:49PM  
I think going in through Missing link to Long Island would suit your desires of traveling a bit more and a base camp. Getting two sorta hard portages the first day gets you to Snipe which is s beautiful lake. Next day there are a bunch of portages, but they get easier as the day goes on. Long Island has some nice campsites to base camp. The portages to Cherokee are easy enough to do it as a day trip with lots to explore. You can go out through Ham lake to Cross River landing for a different route. Its a very short walk to Tuscarora Outfitters.

Don't know a thing about the fishing.
05/04/2017 05:35AM  
I have used all 3 of those ep's and have have been to the Lizz area several times(my favorite so far) and think any of those options would be a great trip. I think 50 or 51 give you better options w/ the trout fishing. My ep39 trip was about as memorable as you can get. My then 9yo daughter and I saw 5 moose on our way from the ep to our basecamp on Jack and saw moose several times each day while there. We also caught a lot of walleye.
LetsGoFishing
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05/08/2017 01:36PM  
Thanks for all of the comments. I will have to get the maps out in front of my wife. I've been out of the Tuscarora entries a couple times when I was young (3rd & 5th grade, I think), and a few more along the Gunflint Trail. My only other time in the SE section, was up through Kawishiwi Lake to the Malberg area. All of these options will be new to my wife and daughter.
LetsGoFishing
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05/19/2017 04:47PM  
After talking it over with my wife and looking at the number of permits already reserved for EP 50, we decided to go with EP 39. We'll stay in the Tofte area the night before and grab our gear from Sawtooth Outfitters, and enter on Monday, July 10th.
05/20/2017 08:30AM  
Have a great trip! I think you'll really like the area. I rented from Sawtooth for my Kawishiwi Lake solo a couple years ago and they were great. I've stayed at the Cliffdweller and Americinn in Tofte. My wife and I prefer the Cliffdweller because it's a little ma/pa place right on top of Lake Superior with awesome views and the girls prefer the Americinn because of the pool ;).

If you have any questions about the Baker area let us know.
TuscaroraBorealis
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05/20/2017 10:06AM  
Maybe you've seen this already? But, Here is some information on the Baker Lake area.
LetsGoFishing
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05/24/2017 09:34AM  
TB - I saw your trip report previously. It was one of the reasons I considered this EP.

Ducks - I've stayed at the CliffDweller a couple times before. We were considering it again, but we were able to get a room at Eagle Ridge Resorts for just a few bucks more. The views from the CliffDweller balconies are amazing, but their beds are crap.

Our goal is to base camp on South Temperance. Do you think it's a reasonable expectation to get there on the first day?
 
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