We took our first trip to the BWCA last June. We went in to Insula via the numbered lakes. We want to go back to Insula and it looks like there is a route through Snowbank. Has anyone done this trip recently? Looks to be a few miles further with about 3X the portages. Thanks!

I entered at Snowbank and eventually made my way to Insula on this trip.

Obviously it wasnt the most direct route but, it should give you an idea of what the area is like.

What an ambitious solo trip. Do you think going the northern route through boot lake is preferable over the southern route through dissapointment? We will be taking two days to get to Insula and and back out the same way.

For easy of travel and better fishing lakes, I would use the southern route through Disappointment lake. But, perhaps to mix it up, you could alternate? Go in the north, come out the south?

Just to confuse the issue...enter at Kawishiwi Lake and head up to Malberg Lake for night one, about 6.5 to 7 hours. Head over to River Lake and south towards Fishdance. Take the portage to Alice and cross the southern end of this lake and there are two options from there. I like the path that takes the narrow waterway out of the southwestern corner of Alice, leading to Insula lake. But you could also go through Hum lake. To be honest I have not done this entire route but I have researched it and it looks to be a beautiful paddle and an adventure.

From there it depends on your situation, could head back out the same way or go out to Lake One or Snowbank with a waiting car...or a shuttle.

Sand beach campsites on Malberg and Alice, good fishing and a very scenic area. Just a thought.

lindylair: "Just to confuse the issue...enter at Kawishiwi Lake and head up to Malberg Lake for night one, about 6.5 to 7 hours. Head over to River Lake and south towards Fishdance. Take the portage to Alice and cross the southern end of this lake and there are two options from there. I like the path that takes the narrow waterway out of the southwestern corner of Alice, leading to Insula lake. But you could also go through Hum lake. To be honest I have not done this entire route but I have researched it and it looks to be a beautiful paddle and an adventure.


From there it depends on your situation, could head back out the same way or go out to Lake One or Snowbank with a waiting car...or a shuttle.


Sand beach campsites on Malberg and Alice, good fishing and a very scenic area. Just a thought. "

Insula has been a "go to" lake for me over the past three decades. As far as getting there as quickly as possible, I like just getting through the very direct, well-traveled route of the numbered lakes. If Insula is just part of a loop or longer trip, I like to travel the route that Lindylair posted, followed second by the southern loop through Disappointment. Northern route also great, so do just what TB says - one each way. Snowbank is big, round and tough in windy weather.

For a change of scenery getting to Insula try going south out of Lake Three to Horseshoe to North Wilder and then take Wilder Creek to Hudson. I haven't traveled this route since the fire so it may be burnt but you will lose the crowds.

lindylair: "Just to confuse the issue...enter at Kawishiwi Lake and head up to Malberg Lake for night one, about 6.5 to 7 hours. Head over to River Lake and south towards Fishdance. Take the portage to Alice and cross the southern end of this lake and there are two options from there. I like the path that takes the narrow waterway out of the southwestern corner of Alice, leading to Insula lake. But you could also go through Hum lake. To be honest I have not done this entire route but I have researched it and it looks to be a beautiful paddle and an adventure.


From there it depends on your situation, could head back out the same way or go out to Lake One or Snowbank with a waiting car...or a shuttle.


Sand beach campsites on Malberg and Alice, good fishing and a very scenic area. Just a thought. "

I think this might be the route we take. It does look to be a little longer but avoids a few of the bigger lakes. Thanks!

Just booked our permit for EP 37. Time to stare at maps for 4 months!