BWCA Colder Weather Tripping, Who Likes It? Boundary Waters Listening Point - General Discussion
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09/21/2018 10:53AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Heading in next Friday to Mudro. Could be a challenge, even talking a little snow, but hopefully it will scare a few people away. Weather really doesn't bother me. We've had snow on a few trips. Hopefully my girlfriend can stay warm. I just keep telling her it will be a fun time.
 
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SourisMan
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09/21/2018 11:25AM  
I'm hoping to head in for an early October trip. I'd love daytime temps in the 50's and overnight in the 40's. We'll see.
 
Gadfly
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09/21/2018 11:45AM  
I don't make trips in June, July or August anymore. The cold temps and short days are a lot easier to deal with than people and bugs and the fishing is usually better. We are coming up on the best time of year to be in the woods. Hoping to get a trip in before deer season and then I'll be checking the forecast every day to see when I can expect to get a winter trip in.
 
HowardSprague
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09/21/2018 12:03PM  
Well, I'm going in next week as well, sort of by default. I much prefer July, August or June because the temps are more comfortable/relaxing for me, nighttime doesn't arrive as soon, don't have to pack as much in the way of "just in case" clothing, I can count on losing a pound or two or three during a summer trip, and I've had my best fishing in the spring and summer. And you can go for a nice swim to rinse off the grime.
But things got busy, and so going now is better than not at all. And maybe my fishing luck will pick up. And the ease of getting a permit for normally busy EP's was nice. I did do an overnight once at the same time, and it was pretty nice.
The onset of Fall, for me, usually means "Wake me up for football games and then again in March or April."
Maybe that'll change.
 
09/21/2018 12:20PM  
Gadfly: "I don't make trips in June, July or August anymore. The cold temps and short days are a lot easier to deal with than people and bugs and the fishing is usually better. We are coming up on the best time of year to be in the woods. Hoping to get a trip in before deer season and then I'll be checking the forecast every day to see when I can expect to get a winter trip in. "
I love the shoulder seasons, bugs and heat make it harder to travel.
 
DanCooke
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09/21/2018 04:04PM  
I prefer cold weather trips in the BWCAW over summer BWCAW canoeing
 
pswith5
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09/21/2018 04:16PM  
I think if I start going as late as October, I will bring a bigger tent. Something I can sit in after dark. Like 5 pm. Otherwise i can deal with temps.
 
bwcasolo
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09/21/2018 06:15PM  
oh yea, it's my annual fall trip at east bearskin arriving sept 29th. i embrace cooler, fall temps. sometimes just plain frosty, ok by me, tent open, stars a glowing, quiet, quiet, quiet. doesn't get any better.
 
ozarkpaddler
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09/21/2018 07:13PM  
I like cold weather paddling on the river, but never tripped in the BWCAW after 2-3 week of September. Since I'm starting a new job October 29th I'm considering a late BWCAW trip, like October 22nd? Anyone tripped late October? I know Stu does his hunting trips.
 
09/21/2018 07:51PM  
Like most others on this thread I too try to only trip spring and fall.
 
09/21/2018 07:57PM  
A lovely campfire on a July evening when it's 80° and still very light is just about worthless. Does nothing but keep bugs away. The same fire in September or October breaks the darkness and provides a touch of welcome warmth. Bugs, and crowds, are virtually gone. Pulling a down bag up close to my neck means I will sleep well. Fall is a magnificent time to paddle.
 
09/21/2018 07:59PM  
I like cold weather trips. On one late-October trip off the Gunflint in the early 1990s we followed the snowplow into Clearwater Lake after an 11-inch snowfall. It was a winter-camping/canoe trip combo. It got down to 16 F one night, and while that is pretty mild for a winter trip, it's cold for a canoe trip.
 
prizes14
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09/23/2018 05:32PM  
I'm planning on heading in #14 on October 1 for a solo. Looks like rain, cloudy and colder weather than I was hoping. Fall is the best time to go but a week of rain doesn't look fun.
 
Dooger
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09/23/2018 08:07PM  
The latest I’ve tripped was mid-November. Had to break some ice though.

It was 44 in the eastern U.P. today.
 
09/23/2018 08:11PM  
I love camping mid-may, and mid-October.

My favorites!
 
09/23/2018 10:56PM  
If the fishing wasn't so good in June I would save all my BW vacation for the last half of September and the first week of October.
 
goatroti
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09/24/2018 07:00AM  
I'm a Leo; summertime is the right time for canoeing and camping, preferably August.
 
treehorn
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09/24/2018 11:20AM  
I don't think I'm a fan.

The idea of some crisp air and that perfect autumn day and night is definitely appealing. Leaves crunching as you walk, no bugs, no humidity....

But I played golf last Thursday when it was about 50, raining steady - sometimes horizontally - and windy. My hands were getting numb and I was generally miserable. I remember telling myself during that round - I'm glad I'm not in the BW right now.

I would need to make a significant investment in better rain & warm weather gear to go in October.

Besides, I like swimming & wearing shorts.
 
Driftless
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09/24/2018 11:55AM  
It's all good to me! The best time for a BWCA trip is whenever I can!
 
HayRiverDrifter
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09/24/2018 12:16PM  
Heading in at Mudro Thursday. Should be no bugs.
 
landoftheskytintedwater
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09/24/2018 12:22PM  
+1
Jaywalker: "A lovely campfire on a July evening when it's 80° and still very light is just about worthless. Does nothing but keep bugs away. The same fire in September or October breaks the darkness and provides a touch of welcome warmth. Bugs, and crowds, are virtually gone. Pulling a down bag up close to my neck means I will sleep well. Fall is a magnificent time to paddle. "
 
09/24/2018 02:34PM  
HayRiverDrifter: "Heading in at Mudro Thursday. Should be no bugs."
which way you heading? We're heading in Friday, working are way to crooked through horse river, then back through Friday bay.
 
BearBurrito
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09/24/2018 02:46PM  
It's the only time I camp. Spring and fall with lows around 30-40's is my favorite. Warmer weather for me is used for projects around the house.
 
BearBurrito
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09/24/2018 02:46PM  
It's the only time I camp. Spring and fall with lows around 30-40's is my favorite. Warmer weather for me is used for projects around the house.
 
carmike
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09/24/2018 02:48PM  
I love shoulder season tripping, though I tend to get out as soon as the ice is off the lakes. Since I always wet foot, I often have to dip my boots in the lake to thaw them enough to get my feet in. Brrrrrr. :)
 
HayRiverDrifter
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09/24/2018 04:06PM  
housty9: "
HayRiverDrifter: "Heading in at Mudro Thursday. Should be no bugs."
which way you heading? We're heading in Friday, working are way to crooked through horse river, then back through Friday bay."


Heading up to Gull.
 
09/24/2018 04:34PM  
HayRiverDrifter: "
housty9: "
HayRiverDrifter: "Heading in at Mudro Thursday. Should be no bugs."
which way you heading? We're heading in Friday, working are way to crooked through horse river, then back through Friday bay."



Heading up to Gull."
have a great trip, who knows we might cross paths, be wearing blue coats.
 
GraniteCliffs
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09/24/2018 06:15PM  
I just got back today from Quetico. The weather was great the last number of days---except it was very windy, temps down to 33 degrees and rain all the time. Other than those few minor exceptions the weather was terrific.
 
09/24/2018 08:05PM  
Did Mudro 2nd week of October last year. I hit the weather just right. Low 60s and sunny day time. High 30s at night.I was lucky, it's not always that nice. Take enough time to gather fire wood because you'll have a lot of dark hours.
 
Dooger
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09/24/2018 08:51PM  
This pic was from November 13th!
 
09/24/2018 09:54PM  
Fall trips are best.
Short days and long nights though
 
09/24/2018 09:54PM  
Fall trips are best.
Short days and long nights though
 
ozarkpaddler
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09/25/2018 12:12PM  
Dooger: "This pic was from November 13th! "






Love it, great pic and a really nice buck!
 
Birdknowsbest
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09/25/2018 11:53PM  
 
Birdknowsbest
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09/25/2018 11:53PM  
Love fall or any cold weather trips. Headed in mid October with my Snowtrekker tent and stove. A couple reasons I bring my hot tent. Tent weighs 26lbs, wood stove with pipe etc weighs 12lbs.

It is not as much for the warmth the hot tent provides as much as it allows you to dry all your gear in case of rain or snow.

Bc its gets dark so early it is nice to sit in the hot tent and enjoy the evening in a tee shirts and sweatpants. If you are going to sit outside around the camp fire, you burn a lot more wood bc of the temp and bc it gets dark 4 or 5 hours earlier than in spring/summer trips. The stove is a more efficient use of wood.

More to portage but sitting in the tent listening to the wood stove and playing cards with friends is a great way to spend a cool fall night in the bdubs. And if I am being honest, any night in a hot tent is great. I have yet to ever regret bringing it. Can't recommend one enough. Winter camping in one makes real hard to go back to cold winter camping. Spendy, but worth it and you will have it forever.
 
09/26/2018 09:36AM  
In October I have been in snowstorms to very hot temps. Makes it interesting. I do not like being caught on a big lake with cold water and cold temps-not good. Do love the fall color regime.
 
09/26/2018 10:00AM  
Although I backpack a bunch from early spring to late fall, I haven't paddled in cold weather until my quick overnight this past weekend. Paddling out with the air temp at 35 and a light drizzle, I was actually comfortable except for my fingers, which were stupidly cold despite my gloves. I was wearing my Chota knee-high waders, and my feet were fabulously comfortable.

Do you all wear neoprene gloves for cold-weather paddling? I was thinking they'd probably do a lot to help. Along the same lines, anybody consider wearing a wetsuit under your clothes in case you go in?
 
09/26/2018 01:00PM  
TominMpls: "Although I backpack a bunch from early spring to late fall, I haven't paddled in cold weather until my quick overnight this past weekend. Paddling out with the air temp at 35 and a light drizzle, I was actually comfortable except for my fingers, which were stupidly cold despite my gloves. I was wearing my Chota knee-high waders, and my feet were fabulously comfortable.


Do you all wear neoprene gloves for cold-weather paddling? I was thinking they'd probably do a lot to help. Along the same lines, anybody consider wearing a wetsuit under your clothes in case you go in?"
I wear neoprene mittens, and sometimes I'll wear neoprene bottoms up, this year I'm trying neoprene diving boots and neoprene socks, will see what happens.
 
09/26/2018 01:18PM  
Love it. Traded the warm Cities sunshine this past weekend for cold gray rainy paddling. Did not regret it a bit. Brought plenty to read and gear for the weather. Ended up stoking a fire for 8 hours one relaxing day and missing most of the downpours. I do enjoy summer trip swimming, but spring and fall are extra special and I love the cool nights.
 
09/26/2018 01:35PM  
Love the shoulder seasons and cooler weather it can bring for tripping!!!
 
GeneH
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09/29/2018 12:03PM  
Love fall and early spring camping and hiking. Never knowing if it's going to be hot sunshine, rain, or snow. Maybe all three. Short sleeves early in the trip, and breaking ice to paddle back a few days later. I do miss getting to the BWCA, and won't make it again this year. Nothing like spending days fishing and just hanging around.

Then there is the rain and 40 degrees in the woods - getting totally high on the smells! A little dampness on the ground or snow to minimize fire danger. I prefer temps above the 20's as that's my low daytime comfort zone when just sitting around camp. It's fun bushwacking or trails all day down to about 10 degrees with just enough snow to make it interesting.

This year I'm going to use a cheap tarp for sitting around, and possibly forgoing the tent altogether if the weather promises to be calm. Next year a UL tarp for hiking, supplementing the tent.
 
luft
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10/05/2018 02:39AM  
April/May and September/October are my favorite trip months. If the ice is gone I'm in! I don't mind putting on layers to keep warm and dry.

BWpaddler and I paddled in near Ely the weekend of 9/22. Temps were a little chilly but it was gloriously bug free.

 
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