I'm at that phase where I'm constantly thinking about my next BWCA trip. What are some contenders for 2020 destination plans that you're wrestling with? Or firm on?

I'm thinking:
1. Go back to SAK via Moose, would be my first time going back to an Entry point I've already been to. FYI the Tow from LaTourell's is the best thing you can buy for this trip. I didn't make it to Kekekabic last time, but I would make a point of it this time.

2. Fishdance and Malberg via EP 37. Always loved reading about the "heebie jeebies" ppl say they get on Fishdance, want to go there and see for myself!

3. EP 16 Nina Moose to LLC, would also be my first time going back to a familiar EP. Only concern here is that I wasn't as impressed with the fishing on LLC compared to other areas in the BW.

I have been using this time off over the holidays to start planning trips. This year I am currently planning 2 trips, one solo and one with my husband. Our son is going to be gone most of the summer on an invitational canoe trip with Camp Menogyn.

I am still debating entry point for my solo. I can't decide if I want to travel an area that is super familiar east of the Gunflint Trail or try some new areas west of the Gunflint. It will be my first solo.

For our tandem trip, I think we have decided to try for the Frost River since we had to bail on it last summer after we were behind schedule exiting the Hairy Lake PMA. Entry point 50 then Frost River followed by Louse River and back around to Brant Lake exit. This will be challenging, which we like and cover new territory for us.

I just got done inventorying our maps and figuring out what maps I need to order.

straighthairedcurly: "I am still debating entry point for my solo. I can't decide if I want to travel an area that is super familiar east of the Gunflint Trail or try some new areas west of the Gunflint. It will be my first solo. "

I'm considering doing my first solo this year as well. I wouldn't like to see the familiar on a trip by myself. I would need the new challenges and mystery to keep me from going crazy being by myself.

2019: first solo. Liked it a lot; did two more before the water went into solid state.
2020:first time to WCPP and Wabakimi.

SHC - have you considered bower-trout for your first solo?

Leaning toward Crooked Lake. Also looking at the Turtle River north of Atikokan.

Debating our first ever Q trip for 2020

Planning a 1st trip to WCPP. Still have to gather info and look at route options. So far I'm hoping to fly in to Artery if I can find a way to make that feasible and paddle up the Bloodvein. Still have to look at some options out of Johnson or Leano. Looks like a solo at the moment, but may find someone to cut cost.

jillpine: "2019: first solo. Liked it a lot; did two more before the water went into solid state.
2020:first time to WCPP and Wabakimi.

SHC - have you considered bower-trout for your first solo? "

Actually, I was looking at that area the other day. I have never been there and it looked like a good solo option. I haven't fully mapped it out yet, but it is still an option. So many possibilities, so little time :)

Thinking WCPP to Lake Winnipeg via the Bloodvein Rv. Discussing this trip with several longtime tripping partners.

Hoping to finally get my wife in a canoe this year. I’m thinking a 2 night short trip to Vern going in at Homer. Maybe she’ll be a new tripping partner after an easy “newbie “ trip.

I’m in the planning stage for the first of three or four summer trips for next year. We bought a used Bell Northwoods 4 person canoe from an outfitter off the Gunflint Trail and are going to hike the Kekekabic Trail from Ely to the Gunflint to pick up the canoe and then paddle it back to Ely. It’ll be just my wife and I on this trip, no kids. I’m thinking 3 days for the Kek hike and then 4 days paddling back to Snowbank. For the paddle portion we’ll enter at Brant Lake and make our way west from there. Thinking we’ll go as close to ice out as possible, but I’d like to fish during the paddle portion so we need to make sure we’re after the fishing opener for the paddle portion. The “new” canoe will bring my fleet to 5 canoes now, does that get me into the “Canoe Junkie” club?

Cheers to a fun paddle planning season! I hope all of you have fun planning your future routes.

Tony

Planning stage still, but probably S Kawishiwi River thru the numbered lakes and Fishdance, then over to the lady chain and ending at sawbill. Ambitious, but I figure now is the time, I'm not getting any younger!
Also a shorter trip, maybe granite river over to sag and back to seagull via alpine/red rock.

And a super short easy trip into Sylvania with my hubby- just 3 days, see how he does after his knee replacement.

Mudro to Sandpit, Tin Can, Horse, up the river to Basswood, and then to the pictos. Plan on basecamping on Horse or Basswood for 2 or 3 days, then back the same way. Not much for most of you, but this will be our first "big" one. That is the basic outline, things sometimes have a way changing, but the pictos are the main objective, along with fishing.

Gonna do a bucket list trip in Quetico with my dog that involves bushwhacking.

GearGuy: "I'm at that phase where I'm constantly thinking about my next BWCA trip. What are some contenders for 2020 destination plans that you're wrestling with? Or firm on?

This will be my 5th BWCA trip. The 4th that I've planned out. I usually trip with my adult son and some of his friends. We like 4 day,3 night trips. We don't fish and we travel each day. Just to give you an idea of what we like, two years ago we did the Frost river route looping from Sawbill in 4 days and 3 nights. 1st night was on Wine Lake. The 2nd night was on Trail Lake. The 3rd night was on Lake Polly. We had a long 4th day, but made it back to Sawbill late in the day.

For 2020 I'm heavily leaning towards entry 50, Cross Bay with a tow from Rockwood Outfitters. We'll go in right after Labor day in September. 1st night on Long Island Lake. 2nd night on Winchell Lake and the 3rd night on Caribou. Then back to Poplar Lake and Rockwood on the 4th day. I've never been on any of these lakes, but from trip reports I've read, it looks pretty nice.

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

If I went on a trip I think I’d go to Ottertrack and through Ester, Hanson, Cherry, Lake of the clouds and back.

Thinking of doing an epic (for me) Q trip this June. Enter at French. Go to Russell, Jean, Quetico, Badwater, Sturgeon and layover in Poohbah. Do the Memory lane and Death march portages. Head over through the poets chain, down Kawnipi and over to McKenzie. Explore Ferguson for a day before heading up through the Cache lake portages back to French. 2 weeks, 170 miles and some of the baddest portages Quetico has to offer. I've always wanted to do some of these portages and I'm not getting any younger.

cyclones30: "Debating our first ever Q trip for 2020 "

Way to go, Cyclones!

AmarilloJim: "Thinking of doing an epic (for me) Q trip this June. Enter at French. Go to Russell, Jean, Quetico, Badwater, Sturgeon and layover in Poohbah. Do the Memory lane and Death march portages. Head over through the poets chain, down Kawnipi and over to McKenzie. Explore Ferguson for a day before heading up through the Cache lake portages back to French. 2 weeks, 170 miles and some of the baddest portages Quetico has to offer. I've always wanted to do some of these portages and I'm not getting any younger."

What do you want us to do with your body? :)

Switching my mid Sept trip to a late May trip... location not yet planned

Trying to figure out where to slot my kids trip as I will be in Alaska this time

My October trip is always dependent on weather but I do know the location for this one. Lots of bushwacking required.