Hi all,

I'm in the process of beginning a plan for a ~30 day trip with my wife in the Boundary Waters this summer (mid-June through mid-July). We're not going to be crazy ambitious about covering distance (probably sitting tight at good sites for a few days before moving on for a few days), but we'll definitely want to get somewhat deep and away from the busy traffic when the time comes. I also don't think we'll plan a specific route - just dive in and explore from week to week.

So... my question is: Any suggestions on a starting point for this on the East side (we'll be in Grand Marais the week before)?

We're looking for:
-Grand Marais-side put-in
-No long portages in first few days (heavy food packs!)
-Lots of route options to explore over a 2-3 week period
-All the obvious desired perks (few people, good fishing, beautiful landscape...etc)

Ideas?!? Thanks!

Saganaga would probably best fit your desires, maybe Seagull. I don't know what you consider a long portage, but some long ones are fairly easy and some short ones are pretty hard. In fact, a bunch of short ones can be tough even if they are easy, just due to the loading and unloading.

Yea Seagull or Saganaga and either south thru Alpine, Ogish, for starters or west to Ottertrack and Knife area were my thoughts. Plenty of space without much for big portages.

Sag to French Lake....

If you take a tow to American Point from the end of the Gunflint Trail you only have four portages from Big Sag to South Arm Knife Lake. Lots of options from there.

TomP: "If you take a tow to American Point from the end of the Gunflint Trail you only have four portages from Big Sag to South Arm Knife Lake. Lots of options from there. "

You could also get there in 3 pretty short portages following the border....especially if you're not in a hurry having a whole month for the trip.

I have been planning a trip like you're talking about for years. But never have the time. I've always wanted to start on Round lake with a #52 and end at Ham. Camping or at least fishing on Gillis, Peter, Little Sag, Boulder/Adams, Raven, Malberg and the Frost River. Maybe Alton, maybe Cherokee (and end through Tuscarora). Maybe Gabi/Ogish/Kek/SAK early on. No famous waterfalls and few big famous lakes should equate to few people encountered.

Jealous that you have the time to take such a trip!