Hello,

Has anyone ever paddled across the whole BWCA? I’m interested in doing a solo trip. Furthest west entry point across to the furthest east entry point. Just seeing what’s out there if anyone has done this. Thanks

That's a great trip idea! Like it a lot.

Our group did Quetico (North to South) from French Lake to Cache Bay in 2006.

Post a trip report!

I believe the Voyageur Challenge paddlers do that, plus some, as they do something like Rainy lake to Grand Portage. If you like to sleep, though, you might take a few more days than they do... And Nctry Ben has probably done most of it, as he did a 40-day solo in the BWCA.

Just search the site for "Border Route" and you will find numerous reports.

If you're interested in the history of the route, I recommend this book:

Portage into the Past

I plan on doing this, from Rainy Lake to Grand Portage, in the next year or two.

rtallent: "...And Nctry Ben has probably done most of it, as he did a 40-day solo in the BWCA."

Check out Ben's trip report . Quite an accomplishment.

We actually met up with him on Finger Lake near the end of his trip.

Little Vermilion Lake Entry to North Fowl Lake

Sure you don't want to end at Lake Superior?

A wonderful trip and even with the 2 mile Long Portage, the portage number/distance to total miles ratio is very low. That is why it was used as the main route west from the Great Lakes before there were roads. Its amazing how many miles you can make if you don't have to portage much. I've done west end on Rainy to Rose Lake on one trip and Saganaga to Lake Superior on another, but the whole route is a bucket list item I may not see to.

Lots of big lakes, so plan for some wind bound time. Start early in the morning to get miles in before wind starts up, no pancakes and bacon and drying everything in the sun before you pack up. Paddle every good weather(no wind) day, save lay overs for rough conditions.

It can certainly be rushed through, but I would take at least ten days to enjoy it, more if you want to fish a lot. A long day season around the solstice is nice for long travel. Several times we hauled out in rough conditions in the afternoon, but didn't set up camp. Started paddling again in the early evening and put in ten more miles in calm conditions. Some of the prettiest evenings I've enjoyed in my life.

The shuttle is a bear. If you can get family or friend to drop you off and pick you up it would be ideal. Getting an outfitter shuttle would be out of my income range.

Last summer I did a 140 mile trip from Poplar in the East to Mudro in the West, with a route that went up into Quetico, down the Man Chain and then back up to Sarah Lake before reentering the bwca to exit. It was awesome. It would have been harder solo but still not too bad. That's a little different from what you describe, but similar. I have a trip report half written, I should finish it to share what we learned. I recommend it!

[edited to say Sarah Lake; I'd initially written Alice Lake, which I also visited on a different trip last year]

How much time are you allotting? If you start at Lac LaCroix and paddle the border east to Prairie Portage it might be more interesting to then paddle the interior going through lakes like Frazier, Little Saganaga and continue to an exit on Poplar by the Gunflint trail. I would think 3 weeks would be sufficient time.

TominMpls: "Last summer I did a 140 mile trip from Poplar in the East to Mudro in the West, with a route that went up into Quetico, down the Man Chain and then back up to Alice Lake before reentering the bwca to exit. It was awesome. It would have been harder solo but still not too bad. That's a little different from what you describe, but similar. I have a trip report half written, I should finish it to share what we learned. I recommend it!"

Wow! I look forward to your report!

Paddled the length (Border Route) west to east last May with 2 other buddies. Would HIGHLY recommend it. A decent number of people on this forum have done it at least once.
In September some members on here will do the route in teams or solo....

bobbernumber3: "Our group did Quetico (North to South) from French Lake to Cache Bay in 2006. "

Our group did a cross-Quetico trip also. Beaverhouse to Saganagons to Moose Lake. The most fun and rewarding canoe trip I’ve ever done. A cross-BW trip would be just as cool. Go for it. Good luck!

CHockel: "Hello,

Has anyone ever paddled across the whole BWCA? I’m interested in doing a solo trip. Furthest west entry point across to the furthest east entry point. Just seeing what’s out there if anyone has done this. Thanks "

I've gone across the entire Voyguers /BWCA route 3 times- twice from Crane Lake (Little Vermillion entry - to North Fowl and out the Grand Portage to Superior and once from RAINER,mn to Grand Portage . BeaV and others have done it more. Check out ( Google the Kruger Challenge) - and you will get some hits. It's an awesome route and the change in scenery / topography / geology is awesome!!!