Hi all,

New member here. Planning my first trip to the BWCA. Coming up last week of September on a Thursday-Sunday trip. We plan on putting in at EP14 and exit at EP16.

My plan is to go from 14 up to Pauness stop at Shell first night.

Day two go from Shell end up at Oyster

Day three go from Oyster maybe to Nina Moose?

Last day head to EP16 to leave.

There are two of us going and both are fairly active men. Just checking on everyone's thoughts about this plan. Am I far off or biting off more that I can chew?

Thanks for the input. I do like reading all the info on the site.

Thanks
Biscuit

Theoretically, you could do it in 2 days. You'll have short paddling days (which they will slightly be in September) and plenty of camp time, fishing, exploring. Pop up and see Devil's Cascade before going on to Shell, or day trip it from Shell. Stop at Top of the World on your exit day and take in the view. Park your canoes right along the river and climb the hill. Both spots marked in the maps section. Decide on portaging to Agnes or going down the Oyster river....always the big question.

It's been about 10 years since we did this loop but it's a great one for a first trip and the number of days you've planned. The days in September will be getting noticeably shorter so shorter paddling days are fine, plus you could lose a day to weather and still be fine. Devil's Cascade is probably really cool when there's water in it but when we went it was more of a trickle. If you find a site on Oyster or Agnes you really like you could stop for your last night there and still make it out just fine on your last day.

That route would be easily done in 3 days. Remember days shorter in September but that route is pretty short for 3 days so you should have a great time. I second skipping Devils Cascade that time of year unless it has been a wet august. Have a great trip!

So pretty much what Dean said

Done this route in a long 7 day trip in order to enjoy more lakes. If i were doing it with the stops I would skip shell and try to make lynks the first night. Shell would be fine, just wasn't impressed. I'd skip cascade falls as others have mentioned, my whole group were un impressed and we went in July. Day two I'd try to stay on hustler, this is our favorite lake in the loop. Good solitude beautiful lake good fishing. Day three I'd stay either at oyster or agnes. Both awesome lakes both you can make it out from just after lunchtime with an early start. Long in long out easy in between.

Agree about on pushing on to Lynx. Shell is a lovely lake and Con Island will tempt you, but the bluff site, first site as you enter Lynx, would be some kind of special first night for a first trip. And the extra distance is pretty easy going — the hardest part of the day is behind you by the time you hit Shell.

Are you taking two vehicles? Or are you planning to walk from ep 16 back to 14 when you are done. Not looking at my map right now but I think I remember it being 6 miles by foot. Of course, you are not portaging it. Just one of you stay with gear the other go get your vehicle.

Thanks for all the input. I didn't think it would be too bad of a trip but like the reassurance. We will either be taking 2 vehicles or having an outfitter drop us off to avoid the long walk back to 14 at the end.

Also do I need to hang my food due to bears?

Biscuit: "
Also do I need to hang my food due to bears?
"

Yup. Or you could just get a bear vault and then you don't have to worry about it. No food in the tent, obviously.

I've done both of these EPs, on separate trips. You'll have a great time!

Yes, take the bear precautions seriously, somewhere on these forums someone mentioned a particularly persistent bear on Shell lake this year. Not something you want to mess around with.

Again, I wouldn't worry about it, but I wouldn't cut any corners.

Here's my trip report from 2016 at least up to Lynx.

LIS N to Lynx.