BWCA Baker Cherokee Sawbill loop Boundary Waters Group Forum: Solo Tripping
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      Baker Cherokee Sawbill loop     

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10/11/2019 10:28AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Entered at Baker with minnmike on 9/15. We traveled up to S Temperance and took the first site, which was very nice. It was elevated with a large granite outcrop, which I prefer, with great views and good tent pads.

It was fun comparing notes with another soloist. We had a nice evening watching loons, mergansers, and the sky. In the morning we split with Mike heading east to Brûlée’s, while I headed for Cherokee. I met michwall and his wife on the N Temperance to Sitka portage (hope you and Paula had a good finish to your trip, Mike) and was cautioned about the next portage.

The Sitka-Cherokee portage was a hard one for me and slow going, but I eventually got to Cherokee, where I stayed a couple of days before exiting out Cherokee Creek to Sawbill. High water made it possible for me to paddle out with minimal portaging.

I saw quite a few groups headed north, but Sawbill itself was not busy at all. I took another elevated site on a granite outcrop on the east shore. I went to Burnt - Smoke was busy and possibly full - and took the first site. Burnt was also fairly busy. Bad weather was in the forecast the next day and I headed out fairly early, reaching Baker exit at 10am, and putting the canoe on the car as it started to rain.
 
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pswith5
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10/13/2019 07:26PM  
I was a little disappointed not to make it to Cherokee. Ended up staying on Island lake due to what was pretty much an all day rain on Tuesday. I was planning on pushing off in the morning and spending time searching for you. Trip was a little unorganized due to youngest son cancelling at last moment. I still enjoyed my time with two of the kids. Maybe we will meet up next time. Pete
 
10/13/2019 10:52PM  
Yeah, I didn’t know if you made it or not. I didn’t get all the way up to the north end though. Maybe next time. Glad you got to enjoy a trip with your kids.
 
10/14/2019 12:44AM  
Thanks for the Report Boonie! I am starting to be intrigued by that route after reading the trip report on the "mechanic chain route"! Seems like it would be fun, of course it would be fun to eat walleye on one of my solo's, but the only meal I've managed in 4 trips is a pair of rock bass last spring. Keep up the trips and the reports, one of these falls I will get up there, or at least to Duluth to meet you. I appreciate all the help you have been.
 
Michwall2
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11/04/2019 07:59PM  
boonie: "Entered at Baker with minnmike on 9/15. We traveled up to S Temperance and took the first site, which was very nice. It was elevated with a large granite outcrop, which I prefer, with great views and good tent pads. It was fun comparing notes with another soloist. We had a nice evening watching loons, mergansers, and the sky. In the morning we split with Mike heading east to Brûlée’s, while I headed for Cherokee. I met michwall and his wife on the N Temperance to Sitka portage (hope you and Paula had a good finish to your trip, Mike) and was cautioned about the next portage. The Sitka-Cherokee portage was a hard one for me and slow going, but I eventually got to Cherokee, where I stayed a couple of days before exiting out Cherokee Creek to Sawbill. High water made it possible for me to paddle out with minimal portaging. I saw quite a few groups headed north, but Sawbill itself was not busy at all. I took another elevated site on a granite outcrop on the east shore. I went to Burnt - Smoke was busy and possibly full - and took the first site. Burnt was also fairly busy. Bad weather was in the forecast the next day and I headed out fairly early, reaching Baker exit at 10am, and putting the canoe on the car as it started to rain."


That Sitka Portage always kicks my butt. We were the next campers on the same site on S. Temperance. It was a great site. We got rained on the next day as we travelled to Kelly Lake. About 4-5 hours of rain, then a short let up and we got food, then the rain came back. It was pretty muddy and damp, but we had a good sleep. Paddled out the next day. Some wind, but it ended up being a great day. Cleaned up and spent some time in Grand Marais and the next day drove down the North Shore. Thanks for thinking of us!
 
11/04/2019 10:20PM  
I liked that site (I like elevated sites) - it had great views, good tent pads. The rain was a real "gully washer" on Cherokee. I was glad to sit it out with the tarp set up and a well-drained tent pad. Always nice to spend some time in GM and on the North Shore.
 
11/05/2019 12:09AM  
Like you said Boonie it was great to spend 24 hours with another soloist. I learned a lot from your posts when I was planning my first solo last year so was great to meet you. I hope we can do it again.
I had a great paddle across Brule and stayed the night on South Cone the 2nd day. I did hear thunder but had a perfect weather day. It wasn't I had set up camp on Gaskin, day 3, I got my first rain.
Can't wait to see what next year brings!
 
mjmkjun
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11/05/2019 06:03AM  
It was encouraging to read the water was high enough to paddle with relative ease. The last time I paddled that loop, the beaver dam was still intact so avoided the muddy, mucky Ada lake portage. That was one stinky beaver dam too!

 
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