We're going on a 3 day trip in June. At first it was just my buddy who's getting married and me, but the wedding plans are changing things. Long story short, more people are going and we need to redo the decision making process about where to go. I have some ideas but what seems to be of interest to the group is lots of granite. Cliffs, waterfalls, rock piles, rapids, things like that. What are some good options for a 3 day trip with granite in mind?

Other priorities for the group are fishing, good campsites, and solitude if we can get it. No one in the group is afraid of hard work and we are all experienced. We are thinking the trip will be in early June, later just doesn't seem to fit. We are also leaning towards the east side again, mainly because there are less people and more rock.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions.

ep 57 Magnetic Lake or ep 80 Larch Creek. both will end up on the Granite River system. waterfalls, rapids, cliffs, granite. the MN/Canada border pretty much splits the waterway (pay close attention to your map). portages can be difficult to find if it's your first time on the river or if the water is low or high.

Mocha: "ep 57 Magnetic Lake or ep 80 Larch Creek. both will end up on the Granite River system. waterfalls, rapids, cliffs, granite. the MN/Canada border pretty much splits the waterway (pay close attention to your map). portages can be difficult to find if it's your first time on the river or if the water is low or high."

That's a good route. Lots of elevation changes, a few small waterfalls, fair amount of granite. No big water that might get you stuck in camp on a windy day. Possibly a rapid or two you might be able to shoot if the water levels are just right, (just not in a Kevlar canoe). Lots of blueberries later part of July.

Clearwater EP #62

Plenty of cliffs and rock slides along the way plus there's the Mountain Lake overlooks in one direction, the idyllic tumbling creek along the trail up to Gogebic in another - plus Johnson Falls is easily reachable in another direction.

Option 1 - Entry 54 - Seagull Lake to Ogishkemuncie.
Large palisades on Seagull. Rapids between Alpine and Jasper. Day trip from Ogish to Mueller Falls to the South. (Head south out of Ogish through Mueller Lake. On the portage between Mueller and Agamok you will cross the Kekekabic Trail. Head east for about 1/4 mi and you will find a bridge over the falls.)

And/or head up to Eddy Falls to the northwest. (Head northwest out of Ogish through Annie, Jenny, and Eddy Lakes. At the start of the Eddy Lake to SAK Lake step over to the top of the falls and take in the vista of SAK. Make sure to step in and take in Eddy Falls. Lots of trails off the portage here.

If you have all day, you could also head down to Thunder Point (where the two bays of Knife lake separate) for an iconic view of the USA/Canada border.


Option 2 - Entry 47 - Lizz Lake to Winchell Lake.
Moose are commonly seen on Horseshoe Lake. You might stop there and camp because Winchell is a busy lake. If you go on to Winchell, start early and grab a site early. There is a small waterfall on the south side of Winchell Lake across from campsite #761. Although not a large site, we stayed there and could hear the waterfall. Winchell Lake Waterfall
You can also climb the cliffs on the south side of the lake for an iconic BW view.

TuscaroraBorealis: "Clearwater EP #62

Plenty of cliffs and rock slides along the way plus there's the Mountain Lake overlooks in one direction, the idyllic tumbling creek along the trail up to Gogebic in another plus Johnson Falls is easily reachable in another direction. "

This. Try to make it midweek to reduce the fishing pressure on Mountain if you can. Schweady's chart from a week ago will show you why you need to get going right now on a permit if this is your plan: