Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone had some veteran advice for winter camping in the BWCA? Me and a buddy are planning on making a trip from Dec 8-11th. We are both are experienced campers but still pretty new to winter camping (I've been to BWCA during the winter a few years back, his first time). We aren't worried about the cold so much (we're both camped/hiked in Colorado/ND/MN) but aren't familiar with ice in or snow conditions in early December.

We don't have a lake/route picked out yet, but need to know which ones would likely be frozen by then as we plan to hike/ski in. Also, would their be a chance of enough snow (predictions being difficult to come by) to build a quinzee? We're bringing a tent as backup.

Thanks in advance!

Jon

My advice would be to go later in the season. Ice will be thin and snow could be absent. You need a lot of snow to build a quinzee. Ask again when you have a specific route picked.

ps.. Welcome to the Forum.

If you can’t change your timeline I recommend you check Sawbill outfitters website and plan a trip in their area. They update their website often as to winter conditions.

I would use the quinnzee as a back up..bring a hot tent

I would agree that the ice may be thin at those early dates. There are land trails you might consider in the BWCAW.
https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=48.07349114169717&b_tl_lng=-92.06405639648438&b_br_lat=47.81361563260797&b_br_lng=-91.58065795898438

If you’re dead set on December I would recommend hiking the Sioux Hustler Trail.

Ice is too unpredictable in December.

Here's the trail from SHUG - hiker, and very experienced winter camper.

Hey now, winter camping is my fav, just wondering how did this trip go?