Looking for ideas on a 5 day trip for a group of five in three canoes to include a day hike on the Kek or BRT. Trip will be second or third week in Sept. Have a couple good ideas already for a route that includes the SHT, looking to give my group a couple other options. Flexible as far as loop or base camp but want the second and third nights in the same site so we have a full day to hike, fish and lounge in a hammock. Would like to be able to access the trail without portaging but one easy portage to/from campsite would be OK. 12-15 mile days are within our capabilities (we plan to start at dawn on day one) but not looking for an ironman trip. Will be renting a canoe or two but have our own camping gear. Thanks.

Addendum: not interested in a PMA for this trip.

Other than the Sioux-Hustler Trail the best access to a hiking trail that I know from inside the BW is this off the Gunflint Trail:

Entry #54 - Seagull Lake - Travel southwest to Ogishkemuncie Lake (one day). Head southeast out of Ogish to Mueller Lake. You can access the Kek Trail from the portage between Mueller Lake and Agamok Lake. Heading east will take you to Mueller Falls and into the Cavity Lake fire area.

See Voyageur Maps #6

Voyageur #6

You can also access the Kek Trail between Kekakabic Lake and Strup Lake. Take the same entry (Entry 54) and continue west out of Ogishkemuncie Lake to Kek Lake (about another 1/2 day). Go south out of the western portion of Kek. You can see this all on the same Voyageur Map linked above.

Thanks Michwall2. Was looking at those lakes but from a different EP. I like your idea of EP54 better than what I was thinking. Appreciate it.

What about Duncan/Rose, then pickup the BRT headed West @ Duncan falls to the overlook. That'd be a nice daytrip & the scenery is spectacular from what I've seen in photos.

I've got a great idea for you guys...

Head in on E. Bearskin, paddle east thru Alder and Canoe up towards Johnson Falls. Lay over at Caribou or Little Caribou. I hear the sites are GORGEOUS.

From Caribou take one of the three portages into Clearwater, and head to (i'm fairly certain) campsite #685.

We were there on a winter camping trip and two of our tripping partners easily caught up with the Border Route Trail to Rove Lake from this campsite.

After some day hiking/camping with amazing palisade views take the portage to deer to moon and back to E. Bearskin.

Maybe something like this ???

Thanks for the suggestion everyone. Some good trips to choose from