Just looking for any advice or suggestions. My 11 year olds first trip. Fishing will be a big priority for him so we will probably lay over more than I typically would like but who knows!

I was originally drawn to a route described in the Beymer book. It involved portaging from Clearwater lake, through Rock Island lake, and on to Two. I now realize this is not something I should do with my kid, so I have to figure out a new plan.

This will be my first Summer trip and I'm a little worried about the crowds in this area. I was also looking forward to doing a loop involving the Kawishiwi but without the ability to go through Rock Island it complicates things a little.

Do we go in and stay on Bald Eagle for a day or two fishing and moose hunting, and then up into Gull/Pietro/Clearwater for a couple days, down to Gabbro for two and out there.....or do I cut some of that out and get into the Kawishiwi for a couple days and exit at S. Kawishiwi?

All my other trips being in non bug months leaves me a little paranoid about the blood suckers. Is there reason for me to think that if the bugs are bad at the start of the trip, they would be worse on the Kawishiwi?

Thanks to all you awesome people who take the time to respond! I will be returning the favor with a trip report and hopefully some good photos.

Joe

I think you have a good plan.

But, recalling trips with my sons - never both on same trip - i wouldnt dismiss the challenge of the unmaintained Clearwater-Rock Island-Lake Two trek out of hand. It wouldnt be easy but camp and layover near it on Clearwater. I like the site right by portage. And try just walking it. Its the kind of thing thst vould be a life time memory. In 50 years he can post on bwca.com about doing that portage when he was 11.

Think about it. It likely tough, not undoable.

billconner: "I think you have a good plan.


But, recalling trips with my sons - never both on same trip - i wouldnt dismiss the challenge of the unmaintained Clearwater-Rock Island-Lake Two trek out of hand. It wouldnt be easy but camp and layover near it on Clearwater. I like the site right by portage. And try just walking it. Its the kind of thing thst vould be a life time memory. In 50 years he can post on bwca.com about doing that portage when he was 11.


Think about it. It likely tough, not undoable."

Oh, I have. Thanks for the encouragement.

Joe,

I am very familiar with the Snake River entry and many of the surrounding lakes. I have been through the area many times, mostly when the ice is either coming or going. I paddle alone when nobody is around during the shoulder seasons. But I have done summer trips too.

Your son will need some encouragement as you portage and paddle the Snake river. The initial portage out of the parking lot is a long one. About 1/2 hour walk. But it's smooth, and all down a gradual slope. There is some mud if it's wet. It's an old railroad grade from the 40's but you really don't know it unless someone tells you. You and your son need to make the portage part of the adventure instead of an obstacle to water.

The Snake River is almost a creek in spots. It is very narrow most of the time and the alders will smack your canoe often. But the song birds will sing their tune all the way down the river too.

The entire area you are paddling is busy in the summer. But you can't escape people, or bugs anywhere in the BWCA in the summer. So when you encounter people and canoes, accept that part of it. There are nice campsites all throughout the area. Buy a head net for your son and yourself in case the bugs are real bad. Heat is a bigger problem for me in the summer. 95' in a canoe on a lake is awful.

Pietro, Gull, Clearwater have all been burned by the Pagami and Turtle Lake fires. Pietro was once the most beautiful lake in the area but was 100% burned in the Turtle Lake fire.
Half of Gull burned and the campsites on that lake are bad. There are wolf packs in the area and you have at least a chance of hearing them at night or early morning.

Gabbro is a busy lake too but has nice campsites. Part of Gabbro burned in 1994 and you can see the tangle of new jack pine on the west shore. You wouldn't know it burned unless you have an astute eye.

I would strongly suggest that you study the fires before you go and take your son out for a day trip looking at the regrowth. Aspen and birch grow up to four feet a year and the regrowth after the Pagami fire is nothing short of astounding. It will be just a few more years until most obvious traces of the fire are gone sans the giant white pines that were all lost.

tumblehome: "Joe,


I am very familiar with the Snake River entry and many of the surrounding lakes. I have been through the area many times, mostly when the ice is either coming or going. I paddle alone when nobody is around during the shoulder seasons. But I have done summer trips too.


Your son will need some encouragement as you portage and paddle the Snake river. The initial portage out of the parking lot is a long one. About 1/2 hour walk. But it's smooth, and all down a gradual slope. There is some mud if it's wet. It's an old railroad grade from the 40's but you really don't know it unless someone tells you. You and your son need to make the portage part of the adventure instead of an obstacle to water.


The Snake River is almost a creek in spots. It is very narrow most of the time and the alders will smack your canoe often. But the song birds will sing their tune all the way down the river too.


The entire area you are paddling is busy in the summer. But you can't escape people, or bugs anywhere in the BWCA in the summer. So when you encounter people and canoes, accept that part of it. There are nice campsites all throughout the area. Buy a head net for your son and yourself in case the bugs are real bad. Heat is a bigger problem for me in the summer. 95' in a canoe on a lake is awful.


Pietro, Gull, Clearwater have all been burned by the Pagami and Turtle Lake fires. Pietro was once the most beautiful lake in the area but was 100% burned in the Turtle Lake fire.
Half of Gull burned and the campsites on that lake are bad. There are wolf packs in the area and you have at least a chance of hearing them at night or early morning.


Gabbro is a busy lake too but has nice campsites. Part of Gabbro burned in 1994 and you can see the tangle of new jack pine on the west shore. You wouldn't know it burned unless you have an astute eye.


I would strongly suggest that you study the fires before you go and take your son out for a day trip looking at the regrowth. Aspen and birch grow up to four feet a year and the regrowth after the Pagami fire is nothing short of astounding. It will be just a few more years until most obvious traces of the fire are gone sans the giant white pines that were all lost.
"

Thanks for all the feedback. I just discovered the Tumblehome podcast this week! Is that you? Cool stuff

Hopefully we miss the heat of the summer! Next time I think I'll take him out of school to travel those shoulder months as that has always been my preference. I've got head nets and have considered a bug tarp, just not sure I want the weight. I will permythrin everything!

When you say study the fires do you just mean the different fires and there lines?

No one has mentioned the Kawishiwi, would it be worth saving some of the week to travel it?

No I'm not the tumblehome podcast guy. I had my user name long before that. I'll sell my user name for a fee though :)

When I said study the fires I was suggesting that knowing where they were and their boundaries would be a most amazing wilderness lesson of fire, and regrowth for your son to observe.

I don't have any children but if I did I would immerse them in wilderness experiences and hope it stuck. My first trip to the BWCA at age 12 shaped my entire life. I've been back more than 50 times since and moved close to it. Enjoy.

Tom

tumblehome: "Joe,

Pietro, Gull, Clearwater have all been burned by the Pagami and Turtle Lake fires. Pietro was once the most beautiful lake in the area but was 100% burned in the Turtle Lake fire.
Half of Gull burned and the campsites on that lake are bad. There are wolf packs in the area and you have at least a chance of hearing them at night or early morning.


"

What about the island campsite on Gull, was it destroyed by fire as well? The lack of good campsites between Gull and Clearwater is a little concerning considering it is the busy season. I would hate to leave Bald Eagle and not be able to get a good site in that loop.

Joe

I've stayed at that site since the fire. By the map on another site, which I find reliable, 1 pf 5 sites on Gull is closed (north east end) and 2 of 4 on Pietro (north shore). So not that bad.

I'd look at entry points 32 or 33 into Little Gabbro instead of the snake (84). Entry 84 is a long portage for many and the river with (IIRC 4 or 5 very short portages) gets very boring quickly as it endlessly snakes back and forth.

homers: "I'd look at entry points 32 or 33 into Little Gabbro instead of the snake (84). Entry 84 is a long portage for many and the river with (IIRC 4 or 5 very short portages) gets very boring quickly as it endlessly snakes back and forth. "

Permits not available for those when I need it. I will be coming out one of those. Is is worth trading a couple days to do the Kawishiwi and out there?

The little vampires will likely be out in full force during that time period. I would personally take extra precautions - clothes treated with Permethrin, head nets, light gloves for your hands, and a Nemo Bugout 9 x 9. During the day out on the water you should be okay but it will be portages, creeks, campsites, and evening fishing that will be the worst. A light pair of pants and a light long-sleeve shirt treated with Permethrin will keep you very protected. About 4 years ago I was on a creek/river late morning with no wind and we had to put on our head nets and gloves just to paddle, otherwise you would inhale a mosquito practically every breath you took. You should be able to pick up a Nemo Bugout for around $125 - $ 150 on sale if you keep looking hard.

The west side island campsite on Gull is a 2 star at best. The east island campsite on Gull is burned out.

I'd try a Pietro campsite even though they burned out some time ago. The new growth breaths life into the area.

Here are the USFS maps of open sites. post Pagami Creek fire campsite maps

I love the Snake River entry. Bald Eagle, Gull Lake is one of my favs. It is very cool. My son loved it. I’ve done it four times I think. Once solo. Second time with my son we put in on the The Isabella River and came out the snake. Then I ran/walked back to my truck. So much fun. Do the loop. Pietro, Clearwater, Turtle. It’s awesome. Have fun. Good area.