I want to paddle the border lakes from West to East this June/ July. Any suggestions?

Get a good map or more than one and consider a tow to the edge of the BWCA in the west. Read the trip reports about how others did this trip or piece together several reports for additional info. Allow a lot of time if you are planning to take in the entire border which extends almost to lake Superior in the east. Consider layover days and time for fishing if a part of your trip. This could take 2 or more weeks and be sure your travel companions if any are up for this as well. This will take a lot of food especially if cooking 1 or 2 meals a day. Plan on double portaging for much if not all of the route and travel as light as possible.

Where are you thinking of starting? Lake of the Woods? International Falls? Or more like Crane Lake?

Reading suggestion:

Portage Into The Past

There are also some good threads on this board. One in particular was a solo trip.

Watch your maps on Crooked, it is very easy to get turned around there.

Porkeater: "Reading suggestion:

https://www.upress.umn.edu/book-division/books/portage-into-the-past

There are also some good threads on this board. One in particular was a solo trip."

Porkeater... don't forget to use the "Add a link to this message" function found directly below the white text box. It's pretty simple to use, but if you need help, here is the tutorial. Thanks.

Starting at Crane with a resupply in Ely & possibly at Seagull. I'm having trouble finding someone that wants to commit to such a long trip, so I may meet people at Ely & leave them at Seagull.
Thanks for the references & suggestions. I'll update when I put together my full route. I plan on spending a layover day at Basswood & Knife for sure. I'll allow time for one or two impromptu layovers where the fishing is good or if I just need a camp day to recoup.

Jackfish:
Porkeater... don't forget to use the "Add a link to this message" function found directly below the white text box. It's pretty simple to use, but if you need help, here is the tutorial. Thanks."

Thanks for the tip. Fixed it.

JDins: "Starting at Crane with a resupply in Ely & possibly at Seagull. I'm having trouble finding someone that wants to commit to such a long trip, so I may meet people at Ely & leave them at Seagull.
Thanks for the references & suggestions. I'll update when I put together my full route. I plan on spending a layover day at Basswood & Knife for sure. I'll allow time for one or two impromptu layovers where the fishing is good or if I just need a camp day to recoup. "

Consider the September-MN Border Route Challenge. We group up Sept. 13 in Ely, put in at Rainy on the 15th and head to Grand Portage. Shuttles are shared as well as a fun celebration of completion at the Grand Portage Casino. The paddlers make it in just 8 days. Check the trip reports - BeaV, Kelso and Muddy Feet have written accounts of their journey in 2017 and 2018

this would be one of few routes in the BW where a kayak would be useful

BobDobbs: "this would be one of few routes in the BW where a kayak would be useful"

Useful - maybe - nasty to portage-across the 2 mile, 600+ rods at Rose heading east - for sure!

There is that. And areas of the Granite River that are difficult in low water no matter what craft you have. Fowl portage with a kayak in spots is fun. The pigeon could be good for a kayak, or a nightmare. Depends on water levels and frame of mind.

I support the west to east decision. The wind up there is liable to do almost anything, but if you bet on west every day you're gonna win a lot more than you lose.

BobDobbs: "this would be one of few routes in the BW where a kayak would be useful"

I did the Border Route this past May and I wouldn’t wish a kayak on my worst enemy for that route. The thought is alone is sickening once you realize how many portages you need to complete, let alone the ones once on Gunflint side. Carrying a kayak over Grand Portage would be the last trip for many, lol...

maxxbhp: "I support the west to east decision. The wind up there is liable to do almost anything, but if you bet on west every day you're gonna win a lot more than you lose. "

Yeah but dont you have to carry 600 pounds of beaver pelts going that way?