Just "me and my Pringles" headed into Slim Lake area (ep6) for a quick solo. I'll be arriving in Ely late (past 9pm). Any tips on a good place to stay night before as close to EP as possible just to rest the head, car camp or bunk. Not picky.
Thanks! ~jp

Fenske Lake Campground is 4 miles from Slim Lake.

Fenske Campground

Echo Trail Outfitters on Fenske Lake is about the same distance. They have a couple of nice bunkhouses, but I believe they have minimum rate of $75. That may have changed as we were there several years ago.

Never mind, I'll hit Fenske. Didn't realize it was so close. I'm pretty excited. It's been some years since I've been to this area.

I see you found it while I was posting. Enjoy your trip. I've only been there once, but it's one of my favorites.

Thanks, QW, I only had my phone when I got the permit. I'm home now and got the maps out. Hoping to get some fall fishing in before the snow flies. Or even if the snow flies. Thank you. For me too, a special place and it's been - incredibly - 25 years already since I last visited this ep.

I’m hoping you write up a report, I’ve been thinking about going in at this EP for a few years now. I’d love to hear how it is for you. Have a great trip!

Tony

jillpine: "Thanks, QW, I only had my phone when I got the permit. I'm home now and got the maps out. Hoping to get some fall fishing in before the snow flies. Or even if the snow flies. Thank you. For me too, a special place and it's been - incredibly - 25 years already since I last visited this ep. "

Just got back from there with my 20 yr old daughter. We went back to Hook Lake and stayed on the campsite there. Wolves howling when were on Slim in the afternoon and then again in the evening and again in the morning.....first time I have heard wolves in the BWCA. Simply beautiful. We had a real short trip but I will try and get a trip report done this week with a few photos.

Selfsuffi, would love to read your trip report. Glad you had a great time.

Tony, I had just read your post about the canoe marathon (still can't believe it!) when I was reviewing the maps and recalled this route was the location of the Big Rice portage. I thought to myself, "GopherAdventure would do this portage, about 16 times, and call it good."

I have about a six-hour window to prepare and pack. We'll see how it goes.

Enjoy your trip... great spot for a short trip. Should be beautiful... bring warm clothes and rain gear. But you should have sun too. Bring lots of Pringle’s!

Happy to report that packing was achieved in under four hours. Granted I'm about 25% done but I'm calling it a win.
Rain gear - check (two sets for a comparison of performance and efficacy)
Coffee - check
Wool layering and wools socks - check
Coffee - check
Compass, water filter, cookset, monocular - check
Coffee-check
Bwca.com beanie - check
Coffee - check
Hammock, tarp- check
Fluffy, ridiculously comfy and bulky camp pillow - whew, almost not a check!!

What's not on this list? My Pringles.
Also, my map of the area is dated 1992.

jillpine: "Happy to report that packing was achieved in under four hours. Granted I'm about 25% done but I'm calling it a win.
Rain gear - check (two sets for a comparison of performance and efficacy)
Coffee - check
Wool layering and wools socks - check
Coffee - check
Compass, water filter, cookset, monocular - check
Coffee-check
Bwca.com beanie - check
Coffee - check
Hammock, tarp- check
Fluffy, ridiculously comfy and bulky camp pillow - whew, almost not a check!!

What's not on this list? My Pringles.
Also, my map of the area is dated 1992. "

Map from 1992 CHECK.....this will be fine. there is a new campsite on Slim though. Just south of the bay you enter on and on the east side right where the hiking trails come close to the lake. This is in addition to the one all the way down in the south tip of Slim. Have a great trip!

Hold the phone. Found one from 1995! Progress!

New camp site-check!!!

Also....if you go back to Rice Lake don't step in the pile of wolf poo in the middle of the portage trail....lol At least I think it is wolf scat. Anyone able to tell from a photo? I thought it was but not a lot of fur in it. Not that I was going to examine it that close.

this might help....

Ignore the slug crawling across it. There was also a big mark at the Rice Lake side of the portage that looked like a bear took a big swipe at the pine straw looking for grubs.

Don't forget to bring your coffee. :-)

Great area, have a nice trip.

Selfsuffi, I'm going to go with someone's Canis lupus familiaris leaving a few presents in the middle of the portage trail. This looks like "extruded diet" dog poop from a 50 lb pup. Just my guess.

Back to packing. Actually, I'm working (lunch break) and it's killing me to not be packing.

I was afraid it might be that but I hate to think someone would just leave it in the middle of the portage trail......I will keep it as a wild and free wolf in my mind...lol

I am working too, well kinda. I am working when I am not reading or posting on this forum. :)