My buddy and I were planning to hike a 15-20 mile section of the Superior Hiking Trail this weekend, but we somehow missed that much of the SHT is closed for deer hunting 11/3-11/18. We are now scrambling to find a hike. I have never done a hike in the BWCA, but always wanted to. I have driven by Angleworm hiking trailhead many times while going out of the Ely area on canoe trips. Anyone know if this is a decent hike or of any other good hikes in the BWCA?

Also, we don't have a map so clear trails where a map isn't necessary... or any links to where I can get a map on short notice would be a huge help as well.

Really need a weekend away so I am hoping I can figure something out by in the next few days, we were planning to leave Thursday after work.

I've never done the complete loop, but I've hiked most of it. I definitely think it's worth the time to hike. There are some nice overlooks to the lake as well. This is easily done in one night, two days, but could be stretched into two nights. Angleworm Trail

Are there multiple camp sites through out the length of the trail? Fire grates? Toilets?

Border route trail off the Gunflint comes to mind too. Overlooks galore in some places

The Angleworm is a great 15 mile hike. Off the top of my head I want to say that there are ~7 or 8 campsites scattered around the trail. All have fire grates and latrines. I think it is a great hike and highly recommend it. The tread is generally easy to follow, but a map it always a very good idea. Any outfitter in Ely should be able to sell you a map.

Seems people get lost on Angleworm sometimes when they do have maps. Don't go in the woods without one. And maybe wear some orange too, as deer hunting is allowed in the BWCA.

Right.. Very smart.. A blaze orange Hat minimum is a good idea.

Is the BWCA Ely area pretty heavily hunted. I am admittedly not the biggest fan of guns. I am not opposed to people owning them and not opposed to Hunters, but I may feel on edge knowing there are people out there looking to shoot things in the woods and I am out there walking through the woods. Am I just being paranoid? I really want to get out for a hike, need to clear the head.

Another possibility is the Snowbank hiking trail. It’s longer than Angleworm, and probably has more campsites to choose from than Angleworm. You should definitely have a map though. My Makenzie map of the area has the trail clearly mapped and you can pick them up at several shops in Ely. Voyageur North Outfitters has Makenzie maps and you have to pass their shop to get to Snowbank Lake so I’d stop there. Don’t worry about the hunters, you probably won’t even see one, but still wear some orange, a hat and vest just to make yourself more visible. Have a great hike no matter which trail you do!

Tony

Angleworm Trail loop is a great hike. The cliffs on the western shore are cool to see from the opposite shore and looking out from them is a treat, too. 14 miles or so with 3 sites on the SW shore of Angleworm, a site on the north shore of Home, and then 2 more on Angleworm's eastern shore.

Bass Lake and Dry Lake trails are nice, too, but shorter. You can loop around and backtrack to make it anywhere from a 2 to 10 mile outing. Dry Falls is pretty.

Thisismatthew: "Is the BWCA Ely area pretty heavily hunted. I am admittedly not the biggest fan of guns. I am not opposed to people owning them and not opposed to Hunters, but I may feel on edge knowing there are people out there looking to shoot things in the woods and I am out there walking through the woods. Am I just being paranoid? I really want to get out for a hike, need to clear the head."

I wouldn’t worry about it. You might pass a hunter or two on the first stretch of the trail, but after that, you probably won’t see anymore. That being said, wearing blaze orange is always a good idea.

There are some trip reports in the Trip Reports section of the website for the Angleworm Trail that I think would help you out.

You should look into the Sioux Hustler trail as well. A nice 30 mile hike you can do. The only issue I see is on the west side you have only the Devil's cascade campsite. But remember you can do dispersed camping if you find that it's too late in the day to find a campsite. The minimal daylight hours will be your biggest hurdle at this time of the year. Check out Shug's video on the trail as that will give you an idea of what to expect.

Sioux Hustler

Anyone hike the Pow Wow lately? We were up there a few weeks back. Lot of trees across the trail from the Pagami Fire.