I need help....well, I need lots of help, but in this case, it is planning a trip for my first-timer wife who is scared to death of bears and big water. She is in good shape and can handle portages and paddling, but for reasons I don't want to get into in this forum, we do not want to go very far into the BWCA.

My problem is that I don't like to run into a lot of traffic when I go into the BWCA. We are thinking a September trip after the Labor Day rush. I am used to going in at Moose Lake or Snowbank and heading north and east. With her I would like to stay away from rivers or big water if possible. I am hoping to take a long portage into a less used area and just get a lake or two in and then base camp from there.

I was looking at entry point 69 and heading to Pine area. The more I think about it, the more I realize I don't know the east end of the BWCA at all and I would be better off using the vast knowledge represented on here for trip ideas.

It has taken me 3 years and countless video trip reports to get her ready to go. We tent camp often so I am not worried about her dealing with the conditions. I know she will love it. She is very nervous over the remoteness and how long it would take to leave quickly if we needed to.

Anyone have any suggestions that might fit this? Thank you!

First suggestion would be to rent a satellite phone, or another quick response item. That would give her some peace of mind, knowing that help is just a call away. If you're doing the Gunflint side, Crocodile Lake would be a good choice, but there are many, many, others...

Selfsuffi: "...we do not want to go very far into the BWCA.

I am hoping to take a long portage into a less-used area and just get a lake or two in and then base camp from there. "

Then that's exactly what you ought to do.

Never say a word about it. The two of you just plan the trip accordingly (even though it may very well be you doing the majority of the planning), but include her in as much of the discussion as possible. Pack efficiently and make the trip special for her. Only you know the best way for that to happen. (When I took my now-wife on her first BW trip, I packed in frozen walleye fillets from our grocery store. It guaranteed that we'd have a walleye shorelunch... and wine.)

Again, put any "he-man" tendencies on the back burner for this trip. Maybe look at going one extra lake in to push her just a little, but only you know how that will work.

Again, never say a word about the trip being "too soft" or "we normally go a lot further into the BW than this". Let her experience the beauty of the BW and canoe tripping and it's my guess that at some point during the ride home, she'll say she's ready to go again. I hope so.

walllee: "First suggestion would be to rent a satellite phone, or another quick response item. That would give her some peace of mind, knowing that help is just a call away. If you're doing the Gunflint side Crocodile Lake would be a good choice, but there are many, many, others..."

I think I have her convinced in just a ResQlink. I am pretty open to any area. I will check out Crocodile Lake. thank you.

Thank you Jackfish. I am going overboard to cater this one for her. The only way she is going to get comfortable with going in farther is to just get inside first and I am planning for a short 3-4 day trip. We have been married for just over 30 years so I am pretty comfortable with what her concerns are and what she likes to do (and not do). I need to thank Solo Over 50 for her video's of her solo trip. Even though she had some difficulties she still enjoyed the trip. After watching those my wife said if she can go in alone I can go in with you....lol

Consider the Timber Frear paddling loop. It's not in the BW, but has portages and campsites on the lakes. It gets way less use so you will have isolation, a picnic table and less chance for bear encounters because their limited use should minimize bears being human and food conditioned.
You will also have quick acess to your vehicle and or a rescue if needed since you are not far off the road system.

Timber Frear loop download the map

LindenTree: "Consider the Timber Frear paddling loop. It's not in the BW, but has portages and campsites on the lakes. It gets way less use so you will have isolation, a picnic table and less chance for bear encounters because their limited use should minimize bears being human and food conditioned.
You will also have quick acess to your vehicle and or a rescue if needed since you are not far off the road system.


Timber Frear loop download the map "

Thank you Lindentree! I forgot about this. I have heard of it before when someone was talking about small trailer camping on the edge of the BWCA. I bet there is more info on this message board too. I will run a search. Good idea as well.

Selfsuffi... Here's the trip report from our 4-day, 3-night trip into the BW. I had been to Quetico close to 30 times, but it was Debbie's first BW canoe trip. She did great.

Selfsuffi: "I think I have her convinced in just a ResQlink. I am pretty open to any area. I will check out Crocodile Lake. thank you."

Fuhgeddabout the ResQLink. Buy a Garmin inReach device, get the subscription that suits your needs and either of you can chat away as needed by text messages with anyone with Internet access. I first got one for a moose hunt a few years ago, and my wife deeply appreciates being able to track my whereabouts and communicate with me, not to mention the emergency response that is just a push of a button away:

InReach Global Satellite Technology

Other possibilities you might want to look into would be Meeds Lake, Cross Bay, Snipe, Tuscarora.

EP#37 Kawishiwi Lake. You can stay right on the lake.

EP #39 Baker Lake. Head to Kelly, Burnt, or Jack

EP #47 Lizz/Meeds. Head to Caribou or Horseshoe.

EP #50 Cross Bay Lake. Head to Ham Lake or keep going just a little bit farther as she feels comfortable.

thank you both Boonie and northwoodsman, I will add these to the list to check out. All great suggestions so far. I appreciate it.

If you want a long portage try EP 45 Morgan Lake. After that mile long portage only a couple of short ones to Vista Lake. Of course you could come down through EP 47 to Caribou, then Horseshoe then Vista. I would think Vista would be pretty quiet after Labor Day.

Selfsuffi - with the 4 routes that I mentioned you can be at a campsite in an hour or less. If after the first night your wife want's to continue a little farther, there are many campsites along the way and you can stop when she wants. The exception is #37 Kawishiwi. Once you leave Kawishiwi you need to go to Polly before you find another decent campsite.

You could also do EP #38 Sawbill Lake but Sawbill is big-ish water. You can stay at the campground on Sawbill also.

EP#6 Slim Lake. It's a popular entry, but shoud be quiet after Labor Day. Slim Lake is beautiful or you can go on to Rice Lake, Hook Lake or Keneu Lake. They are all small lakes and the last three each have only one campsite.

EP#50 Cross Bay as mentioned. Cross River to Ham Lake to Cross Bay Lake to Snipe Lake to Missing Lake to Round Lake. Snipe has a few areas to explore or could day trip to Tuscarora.

Link to the Superior National Forest Canoe Routes:

Superior National Forest Canoe Routes

The Timber-Frear route has been mentioned. I took some first timers on the Fenske, Sletten, Tee route. Only saw one canoe out for a day trip. Nice quiet area.

EP# 64 East Bearskin. There are a few small lakes off Alder that have just a few campsites. And Crocodile Lake that was previously mentioned is off East Bearskin.

EP #20 Angleworm Lake if you want a long portage in. Another beautiful area (aren't they all?)

Reading some trip reports of all the areas everybody's mentioned should give you an idea if it's what you're looking for.

Northwoodsman: "Selfsuffi - with the 4 routes that I mentioned you can be at a campsite in an hour or less. If after the first night your wife want's to continue a little farther, there are many campsites along the way and you can stop when she wants. The exception is #37 Kawishiwi. Once you leave Kawishiwi you need to go to Polly before you find another decent campsite.


You could also do EP #38 Sawbill Lake but Sawbill is big-ish water. You can stay at the campground on Sawbill also."

Our first trip was 38 sawbill, quick portage to smoke, another quickie to burnt then we went to the dead end flame lake. Did it in September and there’s only one site on flame so we had it to ourselves the whole trip. Plan b would be camp on burnt. Sawbill is big but you can hug the shore to the portage into smoke. Smoke isn’t very big at all, burnt is decent sized but the portage to flame is very close to the portage from smoke. Flame is small, we were able to fish in any wind conditions by selecting a sheltered shore. It took us less than 3 hours to exit from flame to sawbill ep.

LindenTree: "Consider the Timber Frear paddling loop. It's not in the BW, but has portages and campsites on the lakes. It gets way less use so you will have isolation, a picnic table and less chance for bear encounters because their limited use should minimize bears being human and food conditioned.
You will also have quick acess to your vehicle and or a rescue if needed since you are not far off the road system.


Timber Frear loop download the map "

So - where do you start the Timber Frear paddling loop? Is there a USFS map of the area that you can give me a link to? Thanks. Tomster

I empowered my wife and gave her bear spray. I carry a firearm and she carries the bear spray. Piece of mind for latrine visits and security around camp during the day.

Well you asked for help so here it is you said:
"My problem is that I don't like to run into a lot of traffic when I go into the BWCA. "
Yep perhaps that is your problem, but is it hers? Is this trip about you, or about her? Are you trying to push her into the deep end of the pool and convince her it will be okay because you know how to swim?

My suggestion is to start small, pick a lake not so secluded, such as Insula, find a campsite off the main travel route where you can have seclusion but she will occasionally see others thus reducing her initial fears. Then next trip she will not be as reluctant to go on the trip you want.

nooneuno: "Well you asked for help so here it is you said:
"My problem is that I don't like to run into a lot of traffic when I go into the BWCA. "
Yep perhaps that is your problem, but is it hers? Is this trip about you, or about her? Are you trying to push her into the deep end of the pool and convince her it will be okay because you know how to swim?

My suggestion is to start small, pick a lake not so secluded, such as Insula, find a campsite off the main travel route where you can have seclusion but she will occasionally see others thus reducing her initial fears. Then next trip she will not be as reluctant to go on the trip you want.
"

Actually, she doesn't want to run into a lot of people and specifically asked if we could go to a lake with no one else on it without having to go way into the BWCA. I am not pushing her anywhere. The worst thing I could do would be to try and push anything on her. that would immediately make her say NO to a trip. My wife and I have been married over 30 years and we both know and trust each other. I know what she would and wouldn't like. She trusts me to pick a trip that will suit her needs and desires for a trip. I want to make this the best possible choice for a trip that covers what she is looking for. I understand where you are coming from but I am not trying to force my style of a trip on my wife. Thus the request I have placed out on this message board and I have been receiving great advice on potential routes and options. I thank everyone for the time and thought they have offered up on this. I will be pouring over the maps quite a bit for the next few days. :)

Thanks for the clarification, that paints a different picture from you original post.

Fear is an unruly, unpredictable visitor. Until she can relax and come to grasp--through experience--that a bear-in-camp is not the norm for most campers then stay in camp during her 1st trip. Don't go off fishing or the likes of that unless she accompanies you. Seems obvious but just saying it might be overlooked by those who have already gained self-reliance and confidence. I can understand her concerns about remoteness and that moment of realization when one realizes how far away the safety of the grid. (Of course, she won't be alone.)

Entry Point 64/ East Bearskin Lake-->Alder-->Crystal or Pierz (small lakes/decent fishing) would be a tame introduction. Not remote but still the feel. It can be busy or it can be sparse--dependant on month. North end of Sawbill Lake or nearby Alton Lake are two other suggestions. Alton is deep and does get dicey when the wind picks up.

Don't forget the pocket-shower and the tarp for a makeshift shower stall. Also, get a 2'x2'segment of drawer liner sold for tool chest--to use as a shower mat. Comfy, drains well and keeps forest floor off bottom of feet. Luxury!

nooneuno: "Thanks for the clarification, that paints a different picture from you original post. "

No problem, this message board constitutes all of my interaction with social media....lol I guess I am not the clearest at times. I do appreciate the advice though. In my younger years I would have been guilty of doing just that. Time and experience have helped me to be wiser as I got older :) no worries.

Give Homer a look. I did my first solo through there last September. Easy portages and options to paddle, fish, and explore. I camped on Vern for 3 days and didn't see anyone until the day I left. It felt remote but you're still not all that far from the EP.

Intriguing question....solitude without going real far. The super long portage entry options come to mind but those can be a beast especially with full food pack. (Angleworm, Stuart,etc)

My couple options to add are Crab lake entry 4....take a tow across Burntside so you're not dealing with big water. Then a decently long portage into Crab keeps the crowds out, if anyone is there that time of year they seem to head north toward Cumming. You could head west in Crab and stay there off the travel corridor or move farther if you feel up for it into Clark, Saca, etc. all small lakes.

Or Homer entry 40, should be pretty quiet in an out of the way corner of the park. Short portages into Pipe, Vern, and beyond all very small waters.

mjmkjun: "Don't forget the pocket-shower and the tarp for a makeshift shower stall. Also, get a 2'x2'segment of drawer liner sold for tool chest--to use as a shower mat. Comfy, drains well and keeps forest floor off bottom of feet. Luxury!"

Nice tip on the shower mat....I actually have some of that but would never have thought of using it for that. I will consider that a luxury item for sure.

AG4: "Give Homer a look. I did my first solo through there last September. Easy portages and options to paddle, fish, and explore. I camped on Vern for 3 days and didn't see anyone until the day I left. It felt remote but you're still not all that far from the EP."

Will do, thank you!

If you do EP 64 and stay on Pierz or Crystal you can do day trips to Johnson falls or the old mine camp on Spaulding.

AmarilloJim: "If you do EP 64 and stay on Pierz or Crystal you can do day trips to Johnson falls or the old mine camp on Spaulding."

I was thinking of the Johnson Falls but she watched a video of a trip that showed a guy hiking back to the falls and she didn't like the trail back to it. Of course he was commenting on how high and narrow the trail was and I said it probably isn't as bad as he is making it looks. It wouldn't be fun to get close and have the heights and narrow trail stop the show. I think I will save that one for a later trip. I would love to see them myself but trying to keep this one pretty calm for her. Honestly, she will be thrilled just to be camping with just a few people or no people around and able to chill in the hammock and read a book or just paddle around a small lake. Right now for several reasons the front runner is EP6 on Slim Lake. It checks quite a few boxes and I have never been there so if it wasn't for this post I wouldn't have zoomed in on it. This forum is amazing with the knowledge available from its membership.

To get solitude close to an entry point I would look for single campsite lakes that only have one portage into them, or are not part of a loop. In doing that kind of search, I found this lake that I haven't noticed before (Thank you for that, I may also check it out some time). You could enter at Sawbill (EP38), paddle south through Alton and take the 200 rod portage into Wonder Lake. In the off chance that campsite is occupied, there is also a small river (sorry) that you can paddle to Sunhigh Lake.

I think you've selected a wonderful time of the year to take your wife on her first trip, and are quite committed to making it a successful trip for her. Have fun!

Stuart EP19. Mile and a half portage in, not too bad though. Grab the first site on Stuart and camp there. With 1 permit per day you shouldn't run into many people. Also you have the falls to check out and the dahlgreen portage which is nice too.

I will check that out as well! Thank you.

quark2222: "So - where do you start the Timber Frear paddling loop? Is there a USFS map of the area that you can give me a link to? Thanks. Tomster"

Start at Whitefish Lake. Timber Frear PDF

Selfsuffi: "Anyone have any suggestions that might fit this? Thank you!"

Bower Trout?

You're not far off the mark with entry 69, but Pine lake is definitely big water in my book. I'd recommend John lake, same parking spot but head North instead. A couple of really nice sites on the lake, literally 12 minute paddle back to the car. After a night or two on John could head to East Pike where there's a campsite within casting distance of the end of the portage.

I agree with Sawbill entry being a good option too, or East Bearskin. A non-bwca option in the area would be the USFS site on West Bearskin, I wouldn't expect solitude there though.

If you live in Wisconsin...consider Turtle River Flambeau Flowage to canoe camp. Good test run.

Also consider going in Lake 1 EP and go south rather than to Lake One... way easy and close.

dr bob

I highly recommend entry point 43 for what you are looking for. Only 1 permit per day. We entered there the last week of August last year and didn't see another person for the first 3 days until we reached Brule Lake. The first couple portages are pretty easy and they get you to small, quiet lakes. If you think you can push her a little further, you can make the trek to Swan Lake. 4 small portages and small water to get there. Swan is a little larger lake, but worth it. The remoteness of this area is very peaceful and relaxing!

CampingJon: "I highly recommend entry point 43 for what you are looking for. "

Thank you! I am not familiar with that area so I will have to check it out. This is worth while so for looking at areas of the BWCA I really haven't paid any attention to before.

Sawbill can be a nice, self contained trip. Not too far, not too close. After Labor Day there's not much traffic.

I'm not really sure what's big water and what's not, or what the issue is with rivers and whether any kind of "river" is a deal breaker, nor just how far in is too far, or exactly what constitutes too many people, but here's an idea for you to look at that may or may not appeal.

Enter at Sawbill, head north, cut over to Kelso, then take the long portage from Lujenida to Zenith, which eliminates a whole bunch of people. You also have Frederick and Wine not much farther. You may be happy to stop on Kelso, but could be a certain amount traffic going by on day trips the dolmen.

I love the lakes on the east end including Pine Lake. I haven't been to the campsite on Little Caribou in awhile. I love it, though it can be hard to get. Since it is the only one on the lake, you will just have people paddling by during the day, but have it to yourselves otherwise. I have also enjoyed campsites on Pine as they are spread out enough to feel some sense of isolation. I recommend a hike to Johnson Falls, though on a hot summer day will likely see some other groups. But it you hike up farther than the first falls, it can be more secluded. Or go earlier in the day (a lot of people plan it for lunch).

Enjoy...as a fifty something woman, I have been rediscovering the BWCA after a couple decades away. It is a special place.

My problem is that I don't like to run into a lot of traffic when I go into the BWCA. We are thinking a September trip after the Labor Day rush. I am used to going in at Moose Lake or Snowbank and heading north and east. With her I would like to stay away from rivers or big water if possible. I am hoping to take a long portage into a less used area and just get a lake or two in and then base camp from there.

I was looking at entry point 69 and heading to Pine area. The more I think about it, the more I realize I don't know the east end of the BWCA at all and I would be better off using the vast knowledge represented on here for trip ideas.

If you want to try the eastern part, and avoid all big water and rivers, you could try Missing Link to Crossbay, and work your way out to Poplar, then get a shuttle. Avoid Winchell/Brule (both can get nasty if the wind is in the right direction). Should be an easy five day trip with a rest day built in. Not that isolated, but probably not bad in September. Could try camping on Otto (dead end lake) or Davis (longer portages, one campsite) for isolation.

I'd avoid almost anything north of the Gunflint, since the long narrow lakes can have a problem with the wind. Just plan to go slow, take your time, double portage, and pack good food. Don't forget a rest day or two.

If you were okay with the western part, I'd suggest Mudro. For isolation, I've never been there, but I suspect Range Lake is nice and boring, being on a dead end. Plenty of flexibility - loop through Horse/Fourtown, or go up to Thunder/Beartrap. There's also a Hegman/Mudro trip (requiring a shuttle), which has the downside of a long portage, but no rivers or big water (and it has pictographs). I took two other BWCA newbies on a Jackfish Bay/Horse River loop, but that violates both your big water/no rivers requirements (although the rivers aren't scary and Jackfish bay should be fine unless the wind is blowing from the wrong direction). Pretty easy loop though - one night on Basswood, two nights by Lower Basswood falls (take the rest day and visit the pictographs), one night on Fourtown.

After seeing how important getting away from others is, I still like my earlier recommendations of Crab (4) or Homer (40). They're both in less traveled areas and you can get away from people pretty easily I'd think. Get a tow in and out if going to Crab.

cyclones30: "...Get a tow in and out if going to Crab. "

Most definitely. It's a long paddle across Burntside. There are some nice sites on Crab but the portage can take a toll.

Just a thought, you could try the Sylvania Wilderness in the UP instead of the BWCA for a first trip. It won't quite be the solitude of the BWCA, but it is a pretty easy first canoe trip and it would be great practice for the BWCA.

I too recommend Stuart L. You can climb the nice rocky bluff with a picnic lunch, portage over to the Dahlgren ( a comfortable picturesque port. that we always enjoy ). Fish for walleye and northern in Stuart. Get a PMA camping permit for Sterling L. and travel through Nibbin and Bibbin., with intriguing names like that who could resist. Spend a night on Sterling and fish for walleye, maybe see a bull moose ( we did,they like solitude too ). You can take the port. to Fox (another mossy and moosey one) and on to Rush where there's only 1 campsite and it's on an island ( good fishing too ). If you're ambitious, on to Iron and explore Peterson Bay, a wild rice area, always teaming with waterfowl. I 2nd the recommendation of an Inreach, and bear spray for her peace of mind. I realize you did say base camp, so some of these ideas are probably too ambitious for a day trip. Everyone is different, but my wife says she'd go crazy base camping.

I had similar anxieties on my first trip to the BWCA, even though I had many many backpacking trips to bear country under my belt, and a few canoe river trips as well. It was bears, but it was also the added X-factors of water, boats, getting stranded, all together. Even during my first trip, I had elevated anxiety and never really felt better until we were done. Once I survived the trip and realized I had the knowledge and skills to successfully complete a BWCA trip, I was fine on all subsequent trips, even with bear notices in our immediate area and bad weather.

I'm guessing she will have a similar experience. Once she gets one trip under her belt, she'll want to have bigger and better BWCA experiences on subsequent trips.

BuckFlicks: "I had similar anxieties on my first trip to the BWCA, even though I had many many backpacking trips to bear country under my belt, and a few canoe river trips as well. It was bears, but it was also the added X-factors of water, boats, getting stranded, all together. Even during my first trip, I had elevated anxiety and never really felt better until we were done. Once I survived the trip and realized I had the knowledge and skills to successfully complete a BWCA trip, I was fine on all subsequent trips, even with bear notices in our immediate area and bad weather.


I'm guessing she will have a similar experience. Once she gets one trip under her belt, she'll want to have bigger and better BWCA experiences on subsequent trips. "

That is what I think too. I am trying very hard to make this a very positive experience for her. She is starting to get more excited about it the more she sees it unfolding and watching a couple videos of the area. Nibi mocs too his spring trip through Slim last year and length and geography look like a really good fit for us.

Wishing you a great trip, with no bears, no strong wind, no storms and an experience that will put a smile on her face! I took my wife on her first trip 11-12 years ago. She was nervous, and we had plenty of adversity, but we bonded like never before. Now we take one to several canoe trips a year and she pushes me, lol. Her initial fear of bears has turned in to a desperate desire to encounter one, since we have seen literally every other species of wildlife that exists up there. Her yearly joke after the first really tough portage is "I think my testicles are starting to drop" lol. I always think YIKES I hope not!! She has become quite the adventurer from the city girl she was, and at 54 and 125# can paddle and haul a load better than some men I've tripped with. A couple of years ago she insisted we do a 106 mile 15 day Quetico trip, and now she's toying with the idea of maybe a month( I'm starting to get a little intimidated) I hope you also will have a new tripping partner after this trip. I think your plan sounds perfect, and you are obviously a great husband.You should visit the international bear center in Ely at some point, it is difficult to have fear of black bears after that.

mgraber: "Wishing you a great trip, with no bears, no strong wind, no storms and an experience that will put a smile on her face! I took my wife on her first trip 11-12 years ago. She was nervous, and we had plenty of adversity, but we bonded like never before. Now we take one to several canoe trips a year and she pushes me, lol. Her initial fear of bears has turned in to a desperate desire to encounter one, since we have seen literally every other species of wildlife that exists up there. Her yearly joke after the first really tough portage is "I think my testicles are starting to drop" lol. I always think YIKES I hope not!! She has become quite the adventurer from the city girl she was, and at 54 and 125# can paddle and haul a load better than some men I've tripped with. A couple of years ago she insisted we do a 106 mile 15 day Quetico trip, and now she's toying with the idea of maybe a month( I'm starting to get a little intimidated) I hope you also will have a new tripping partner after this trip. I think your plan sounds perfect, and you are obviously a great husband.You should visit the international bear center in Ely at some point, it is difficult to have fear of black bears after that."

That is what I am hoping for with this trip. :) I haven't been there in many years. I thought about it but wasn't sure if that would ramp up her imagination.