I scored a last minute EP 23 for mid August. Must have been a cancellation. Never been that direction, although it's my 10th BW trip. Recommendations? Bringing my two girls (21 & 14). They can handle portages, and we want to get out of the traffic...

Turn left at Fourtown and head up through Boot, Fairy, Gun and beyond. Nice camp sites, smaller lakes and good fishing.

I hear the loop up to Gun, Bullet, Moosecamp, Moosecamp River and back to Fourtown is nice, either as part of your travel route or as a daytrip if you're camped on any of the loop lakes.

How many nights do you have? My wife and I did that loop last June with 1 night on Fairy, 2 nights on Gun, then down the Moosecamp river for our last night on Fourtown. We loved that trip. We were hoping to spend our second night on Beartrap but it was ridiculously windy which is why we only made it to Gun.

At this point just 4 nights, but I'm working on that...

Thanks. It does look good up there on those smaller lakes.

Thanks. I'll check it out.

My son and I are departing on August 12 and doing the loop all the way thru horse and around crooked and back down thru moosecamp lake.
We also got the one permit available for the PMA #4 for that week so we will be staying inside there as well.

I imagine Basswood falls will be busy but I have not seen it and will brave the traffic to do so at least this one time.

Happy paddling!

Did that route last September (Mudro 22). Wear some footwear with good ankle support! Mudro to Fourtown portages: the first two are rocky paths. After those, any others you take are easy. Camped on site 1089 Moosecamp Lake. Had the lake to myself. Very nice site. Paddling down the Moosecamp River is so relaxing.

Hands down, favorite EP.

That was our very first trip, and for me at least it doesn't compare.

Here is my trip report.

and a longish video of our trip.

Our [7 year old at the time] daughter did just fine on the portages, and my good friend just came out today with her almost 2nd grader, and soon to be kindergartener just fine.

Enjoy

HayRiverDrifter: "Turn left at Fourtown and head up through Boot, Fairy, Gun and beyond. Nice camp sites, smaller lakes and good fishing."

+1

Exited through 23 last week. The portage’s are rocky up down and full of mud. Second the wear good footwear.

You can make it to gun lake in one half day. You can then head east or west to some of the smaller lakes to get away from traffic.

Gun was quiet compared to Fourtown and Boot.

The Fourtown/Boot/Fairy/Gun/Bullet/Moosecamp/river/Fourtown loop is a nice trip for sure. Take in Gull for a little fishing too!

Enjoy whatever route you take!

Bushman: "My son and I are departing on August 12 and doing the loop all the way thru horse and around crooked and back down thru moosecamp lake.
We also got the one permit available for the PMA #4 for that week so we will be staying inside there as well.


I imagine Basswood falls will be busy but I have not seen it and will brave the traffic to do so at least this one time.


Happy paddling!"

Sounds like a great route. Lower Basswood Falls is well worth it!

I too will be entering there August 14, my first time. Thanks for the boot tip for those portages. Everything is packed except food, will be flying there so I'll pick up more food on the way. For the past few weeks I have been thinking about footwear, used old hiking boots on a trip once and boy were they heavy after getting soaked. I have a sneaker type with drain holes but no ankle support. Thinking about those boots Piragis sells, app $110. Heard good and poor reviews. Hey, are there used gear stores in Ely? enjoy.

Awesome EP! Probably my favorite! I'd highly recommend a day trip to Lower Basswood Falls - if you base camp on Horse Lake, it will be a great day trip. It takes about 2-2.5 hours to paddle down the Horse to LBF - you won't regret it. It will likely be busy if you're up there on a weekend for sure...but a day trip would be worth it IMHO. A lot of options on this EP!

Last fall, I went thru Mudro up to LBF up the Basswood River all the way through to Basswood Lake. Then, Jackfish Bay back to Sandpit and then Mudro. To view the Mudro EP, Pickett Creek, Mudro Lake, and the Lower Basswood Falls, check out my video of my trip. Enjoy your time!! You'll have a blast!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyF9CNa8H24

coldfeet: " Hey, are there used gear stores in Ely? enjoy."

Yes, the Ely Surplus Store next to Piragus.

My wife and I base camped 3 nights on boot and 3 nights on Fourtown last September and it was awesome! Fishing was not great but did manage some smallies. Also did a day trip up to Gun which was awesome!

MN_Lindsey: "

coldfeet: " Hey, are there used gear stores in Ely? enjoy."

Yes, the Ely Surplus Store next to Piragus."

Good deals there.