Hello, fellow paddlers! I’ve never been to the boundary waters and am feeling overwhelmed by all of the possible routes! I would appreciate some guidance. I am planning a trip for the second half of September. At this time, most entry points for this period are still available. I'd like some suggestions for potential routes/entry points that satisfy the following criteria:

(1) suitable for four full days and three nights
(2) minimize seeing other people
(3) some scenic lakes
(4) decent fishing. Sept seems to be a good time for lake trout.
(5) preferably a loop (but not essential)

I will be paddling with one other person. We’re both men in our late twenties in decent shape with extensive backpacking experience, but no paddling experience. We’re not opposed to long portages or even bushwhacks. I’ve been considering primitive management areas, but am not sure if I should try this on my first time in the boundary waters.

Thanks for any help!

Do not attempt a primitive management area on your first trip. The normal routes will be enough to satisfy you. Because you are going in the latter half of September, you will encounter few people.

I'll give you a couple of entry point ideas. First I want to second Ausable's advice: do not attempt a PMA first trip.

Second, we need to consider a few things before talking about routes.

Going in the second half of Sept. and being willing to do some long portages will definitely get you away from crowds, but how far can you travel in 4 days? If I suggest a Missing Link EP #51 entry, how long will it take you to get to Little Saganaga? I don't know if you'll single portage or double portage, which will have an impact. It's hard to guess how fast you'll paddle and how much effect a headwind would have on your speed.

Weather is variable the second half of Sept. and can impact your travel. You can't be out on the water if there's lightning. Nor can you be out there if it's too windy, which often leaves paddlers wind bound. You might get beautiful weather for your 4 days or crappy weather. I did a lot of short trips (4-5 days) early on and had both, so some didn't turn out exactly as planned.

Daylight is getting shorter - 12/13 hours - which limits things. How much time do you want to fish?

I bring this up because there are a lot of unknowns on a first trip, and there are variables beyond the control of anyone. A flexible plan with options is your best bet, and adjust as you go.

So, I already mentioned Missing Link, EP #51. You can be on Tuscarora pretty quickly and it's a nice lake. Or go on to Little Saganaga. I don't really know how fast you'll travel, or how long you'll want to travel, or how the weather will be. You can do a day trip from Little Sag or spend two nights there and one day fishing. You can loop to the north from there back to Round Lake where you started, or just back the way you came. From Tuscarora you can go east through Copper to Snipe if there's time. From Snipe you can go back through Missing Link, or out to Cross Bay and exit at the Cross bay EP, which is just a half-mile walk from your car at Round Lake.

You could enter at Sawbill Lake, EP #38 and head north across the Lujenida-Zenith portage towards Wine or Mesaba, which will eliminate a lot of people.

I'm not a fisherman, but I think there are a couple of lake trout lakes in those options.

Just map out your options. I usually plan 2 mph average travel speed, which is ground miles not map miles since I double portage and about 5 hours travel per day, give or take an hour. I usually allow 1 weather day out of four. And I know my options.

There are other options too - just ask. Questions?

Last year, my wife and I entered on Poplar Lake #47 and looped to Round Lake. Tuscarora Outfitters are great and we slept in their bunkhouse the night before entering, had a great breakfast morning of entry and they transported us to our entry. Upon return, we had a warm shower. We were fully outfitted last year and are returning again end of this week.

We are again going with Tuscarora, but only renting a canoe and minor gear. It is a great loop. Pretty lakes, some challenging portages and very doable in four days, three nights. We did two longer days, a medium day, and then a short final day to get out and get to Duluth before a long drive back home. This also gave us options if weather caused some difficulties.

Lakes we traveled were Lizz, Caribou, Horseshoe, Gaskin, Winchell (1st night). Omega, Kiskadinna, Muskeg, Long Island (2nd night). Karl, Lower George, Rib, Cross Bay, Snipe (3rd night), Missing Link and ended on Round Lake at Tuscarora's dock. We did it this direction for the convenience of ending right at Tuscarora. I am sorry I am no help for fishing.

This trip was my 3rd trip and my wife's first. We loved the route and, like I said earlier, we will be back in the BWCA this Saturday morning. This route won't disappoint. It is a great route to check out. I am guessing that in later September, too many people won't be a problem either.

I did 2NDpaddlers' route in reverse several years ago. I stayed at Rockwood and they shuttled me to Cross Bay EP and I exited to Poplar Lake and Rockwood. It would be a fun trip for you and has several variations if you are interested.

East Bearskin, Alder, Canoe, Pine, (Johnson Falls), Little Caribou, Caribou, Deer, Moon....and back to East Bearskin.

Hey William, curious username. You a fan of Art Blakey?

Like others have said, don't get too overeager with your first trip. You may want to pack and be prepared to encounter 3 seasons of weather. I took a mid September trip once and paddled in under clear blue skies & 80 degrees. On the paddle out it was grey and 45, and a couple days earlier it snowed on us.

boonie: "I did 2NDpaddlers' route in reverse several years ago. I stayed at Rockwood and they shuttled me to Cross Bay EP and I exited to Poplar Lake and Rockwood. It would be a fun trip for you and has several variations if you are interested. "

i would second this - great route, lots of beautiful cliffs and good fishing. We just did this two years ago and are doing a variant this year. We did have another night in our trip which meant a layover on Winchell Lake, where my brother caught a massive northern around dusk. But it's easily doable in 3 nights and that last day will be pretty straightforward.

You mention no paddling experience. It would be wise to take a paddling class prior to your BWCA trip. Canoeing is much more enjoyable when you can go in a straight line.

Thank you, everybody, for the helpful suggestions. It’s much appreciated! I’ve decided to go with 2NDpaddlers’s suggested route—EP #47 to Round Lake. It satisfies the criteria and the potential alternate routes provides flexibility, which I may need. mirth, yes, I am a Blakey fan. I’m trained as a jazz drummer. Re your second comment, I plan on bringing my 3-season backpacking gear that I’ve used to hike in the Sierras. jwartman59, I’ll heed your advice and practice paddling at the local lake.
Thank you all very much! You've been immensely helpful!

Sweet. Have a great trip!

You will like that route. You'll be going downhill on the Kiskadinna-Muskeg portage. I saw a moose in Muskeg Creek, so keep your eyes open. The portage out of there to LI is an ankle breaker. And there are options to lengthen a little. It may be a little busy around the entry, but not too bad and less so the rest of the way. Enjoy the trip!

Thread you may find useful

I'll be on part of that loop starting Sept 21st. Look for the flying moose stickers on a pair of kevlar tandems and say hi.

Don't know if you are still on, jazzmessenger, but I have a couple things to add.

Mid to late September is a beautiful time to be in the park, and you should have enough solitude to suit you. Keep in mind, however, that the days are getting shorter by that time, so don't plan to stop too late, or you will be cooking supper and cleaning up after dark. Not the end of the world, but some people don't prefer it.

Also, it can be gorgeous weather, but it also can be very cold. Have a good sleeping pad, a warm sleeping bag, several layers, and wool socks! Be prepared for temps in the 60's, 70's, etc. on a nice day, and also be prepared for 40 degrees, blowing snow, and a cold wind. We have had it both ways in September.

Have a great trip. I would have suggested you take CowDoc's itinerary, out of East Bearskin, but the trip you have picked is also a very nice one.

Great to hear you are taking this route. My wife and I just returned today from basically this same route again this year. We entered Meeds instead of Lizz entry this year and went thru Henson instead of down to Winchell. Portages to be aware of on your route: 37 rod from Omega to Kiskadina is very steep right as you drop into Kiskadinna. As challenging a 37 rod as you will find. "The Wall" the 185 rod from Kiskadinna to Muskeg is downhill, but it is tricky. Lots of mud, rocks, elevation, this baby has it all. The last portage I will mention is the Muskeg to Long Island Lake. It is a beaver dam mess. You will first pull over a beaver dam and then paddle thru a channel to another beaver dam where there is a 20 rod portage. This is nothing but boulders. Last year just boulders. This year boulders with water running down basically the entire length of the portage. Some places knee deep or more, footing is tough, rocks are slippery, and landings are terrible. Nothing easy about it. These 3 portages are not forgettable, and one right after another. After getting thru these portages - If you are staying on Long Island Lake - reward yourself with campsite #585. It is an island site and might be the best site we have ever stayed on our entire trips the past 2 years thru the area. First site you get to and sits high on a point with great views. Good Luck, have fun and enjoy this great area. We have loved both trips.

Campsite #585

Campsite #585