BWCA Early May route Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
   Trip Planning Forum
      Early May route     
 Forum Sponsor

Author

Text

mickelsr
  
04/28/2019 08:28PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Hey everyone. Through an extremely fortuitous bit of timing between the end of school and graduation a buddy and I are going to be able to do a trip very soon, entering around a week from tomorrow (likely May 6 or 7), assuming the ice is mostly out by then. Having pretty much free pickings on entry permits, and 6-9 days available, where should we go?

We're very experienced paddlers and backcountry campers and have a really dialed in light/ultralight gear setup, including our own MN II, and should be able to handle whatever weather and temperatures. Big days and long portages aren't a problem, but I'm not aiming for masochism for its own sake either.

Given the very early entry date I'm tempted by something like the Frost or Louse River loops, especially since the water levels and any residual ice won't be problems, but on the other hand I think the early date is a unique opportunity to experience the park and its more popular areas in relative solitude.

Fishing is off the table since I'm not bringing gear for the couple days we'll have after the opener. I'm interested in the most beautiful scenery available, great campsites, and enjoying the park in a season I've never gone in before.

I've been monitoring the ice situation on this site and it's looking like most lakes will be navigable very soon.

Where would you go?
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next
Jackfish
Moderator
  
04/28/2019 08:57PM  
mickelsr: "Where would you go?"

Quetico. Seriously.
BigCurrent
distinguished member(642)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
04/28/2019 10:26PM  
I'll put my vote in for a loop from #14 LIS through Shell/Agnes/Iron to Crooked and down the Basswood/Horse Rivers and exiting at #23 Mudro. If you wanted an extra layover day or you could enter at #16 Moose River North instead. Beautiful area with a nice blend of Rivers and big water. The entry and exit points are popular during the peak season, so the early May entry would be a great time to do this loop.
Bdubr
distinguished member (190)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
04/28/2019 10:27PM  
Honesty, I would focus on Border lakes. I would also not leave the fishing gear at home as smallmouth, crappie and pike are continuous on border lakes and the fishing would probably be phenomenal. Just my .02

You could enter at EP 23 Mudro and head up to Beartrap Lake on day 1, then head north via the Beartrap River to Iron lake where you can find slab crappies, paddle size bass and lunker pike. Eventually work your way east through Crooked and back out via Horse River or even Basswood? I know that wasn’t the area you mentioned in your post but a great route and lots of big water to paddle and fish, as well as some awesome campsites along the way. A similar route could be done in many other areas depending on where you choose to trip....
BobDobbs
distinguished member (472)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
04/29/2019 08:39AM  
I would absolutely do the Frost/Louse River loops! If planning on both, I would recommend doing the Frost first (downstream to Afton) and then the Louse. While I haven't done the Frost, I've heard numerous times that this is one river route easier done downstream (due to the beaver dams more than the current).

04/29/2019 11:15AM  
At this time of year the water will be dangerously cold. In the unlikely event of a swamping you’d have minutes before hypothermia sets in. If you were a group of two canoes there would added safety. Also the bwca will be virtually empty, you’ll be on your own. Wind speeds are higher in spring than summer. I’d stay off the big lakes, go to all the places that you avoid in the summer due to the crowds. This sounds like a great trip, I love the bwca when there are no people around, it feels like actual wilderness.
TuscaroraBorealis
distinguished member(5665)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
04/29/2019 03:08PM  
Look into exploring the really popular areas like one of the 'golf course' river areas. Little Indian Sioux, Mudro, Kawishiwi, Moose River north etc.

These areas are very popular for very good reasons. And, since you'll be there before the crowds descend, you should be afforded the opportunity to enjoy these usually busy areas in relative solitude.
Ice
Guest Paddler
  
04/29/2019 06:57PM  
I’m guessing there’s gonna be a bit of an ice situation on May 6th. The Gunflint Trail lakes have a lot of ice yet, getting a snowstorm today, and lots of temps below freezing this week.
mickelsr
  
04/29/2019 10:41PM  
jwartman59: "At this time of year the water will be dangerously cold. In the unlikely event of a swamping you’d have minutes before hypothermia sets in. If you were a group of two canoes there would added safety. Also the bwca will be virtually empty, you’ll be on your own. Wind speeds are higher in spring than summer. I’d stay off the big lakes, go to all the places that you avoid in the summer due to the crowds. This sounds like a great trip, I love the bwca when there are no people around, it feels like actual wilderness."


The safety concerns are well noted and entirely appropriate. I'll be putting togther dump kits to attach to both of our PFDs that will be worn 100% of the time on the water, and I've got a PLB device as well. Non-food gear goes into a sealline dry pack. I've been paddling with this partner for over a decade and we both know how to handle ourselves in a canoe as well as knowing our limits when weather threatens travel.

As of now Mudro and LIS look like prime options in order to hit popular spots at a lull of activity. Will likely go into the trip without a really set in stone plan, and probably won't reserve permits until next weekend when I have a better forecast and ice reports.
Bdubr
distinguished member (190)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
04/30/2019 08:30PM  
I think you're making the right choice with Mudro or LIS....hard to go wrong. Also, even though you're going in early, keep an eye on those permits and try to snag one SOON! I've seen early permits (especially for those EP's) get totally wiped out. Just a thought...
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next
Trip Planning Sponsor:
Cliff Wold's Outfitting Co.