My friend(s) and I are planning to do our first ever overnight hike in the BWCA late summer this year. My first choice would be the Kekekabic, but logistics of car dropoffs are proving to be a limiting factor. Ive sent out a few emails to outfitters to see if anyone offers a shuttle service from one end to the other, but based on the almost 4 hour drive time I think it may be cost prohibitive, if its even an option.

We are seasoned backpackers, and experienced BWCA canoe adventurers, and competent with map and compass. And will be bringing a GPS.

So if the Kek is out, Souix Hustler, Border Route, and Pow Wow are left. We are leaning away from Pow Wow because of the Pagami fire area.

Soiux Hustler seems slightly preferable at this point because its a loop and makes logistics easier. Ive found trail guides published by the different trail volunteer groups for the Kek and BRT, but nothing for Souix Hustler.

Looking for any suggestions or advice from anyone who has hiked any of these trails in recent years.

Thanks!

Angleworm trail is gorgeous, and IIRC about a 14 mile loop. Add in the egregiously long spur from the EP parking lot and you have a perfect overnighter. It's a good mix of woods and open views, many of which are magnificent. Only a couple swampy/wet sections.

Kek trail, especially around Kek lake has long stretches through the 1999 blowdown. Not terribly pretty IMO. A lot of this stretch has been subject to controlled burns.

SH is kind of a green tunnel, and passes through several swampy areas. We did a stretch one October and it was great. A couple of years later went in Sept and it was like being in a tunnel (and buggy as hell).

Another option to consider is the Snowbank Lake Trail +/- connecting trails depending on how long of a trip you are looking for. The Snowbank Lake Trail alone is roughly 21 miles (I think) and depending on what other trails you add (Old Pines Trail, Benezie-Becoosin) you can make a much longer trip. All three of these trails were cleared late last year.

I did all three of the Sioux Hustler, Angleworm, and Snowbank Lake trails last years, and found Snowbank to be the most scenic. It has fantastic viewpoints of the lake and takes you over some pretty varied terrain.

The Sioux Hustler can feel a bit like a "green tunnel" as Bob mentions, but it is much more remote and you are less likely to see other hikers/canoeists. There are some really nice camp sites along the trail and you won't have to race for them like you may have to with the fairly popular Angleworm.

One trail I haven't done yet is the Rose Cliffs loop that links together the BRT and a few spur trails to create a short loop with a lot of elevation. This is on my list for 2020.

I would suggest the Snowbank Trail and add the Disappointment Loop to it for added distance. If you really wanted to do the Kek I have a suggestion for you, put a post out on this site and other hiking sites informing people of your dates. Maybe there’s someone or a group that can hike it from one side while you hike it from the other, then you can meet halfway and exchange car keys. When you’re done and the other group is done you could meet up in Duluth and get your respective vehicles back. Or, even better, you could swap vehicles in Duluth on your way up and then you can finish at your own car. Just an idea. I’m hiking the Kek in mid-May from the Ely side, then I’m canoeing back to Ely through the BW, otherwise I’d swap vehicles with you and go later in the summer.

Tony

geotramper: "Another option to consider is the Snowbank Lake Trail +/- connecting trails depending on how long of a trip you are looking for. The Snowbank Lake Trail alone is roughly 21 miles (I think) and depending on what other trails you add (Old Pines Trail, Benezie-Becoosin) you can make a much longer trip. All three of these trails were cleared late last year.
One trail I haven't done yet is the Rose Cliffs loop that links together the BRT and a few spur trails to create a short loop with a lot of elevation. This is on my list for 2020. "

My wife and I have, I think, hiked every trail in the BWCA. For a first timer looking for a loop I would also suggest the snowbank/Kek loop. The moss lake/caribou rock/BRT loop is the most scenic and also contains the most climbing and descending. The views on Rose are well worth it but the logistics of a kek trailhead trip are easier and there are better and more campsites. Through hiking the Kek is okay. Some parts of it are cool and some parts are meh. If you want to organize logistics of a point to point hike, just do the Border Route. It's fantastic.

Last September I did a solo trip to Rose lake and base camped at the easternmost site. While there I hiked the Border Route Trail in both directions and the trail was amazing. I cannot recommend this trail more highly.

I've not hiked any trails in the BW, but from the comments from the Tumblehome podcast guys I'd say Border Route trail.

If you haven't already done so, check out Shug on YouTube. He has videos of a lot of the BWCA trails.

Shug BWCA playlist

geotramper: "
One trail I haven't done yet is the Rose Cliffs loop that links together the BRT and a few spur trails to create a short loop with a lot of elevation. This is on my list for 2020. "

I did that one last September and it was excellent. Lots of nice views and we saw basically nobody the entire time. I heard about the BRT being challenging before doing it, a little bit about the CRT being challenging too, but the CRT was more continuously difficult than the section of the BRT of the Rose Cliffs loop. That being said, the hike from the Rose Cliffs to the Stairway Portage was quite challenging and wouldn't be something I'd recommend lightly as a day trip if canoeing around that area. An awesome hike overall though; I might have to do it again.

GopherAdventure: "I’m hiking the Kek in mid-May from the Ely side, then I’m canoeing back to Ely through the BW, otherwise I’d swap vehicles with you and go later in the summer.


Tony"

This sounds like a cool way to do it!

A few trail association meetings that would offer opportunities to get more information, as well as 2019 trail conditions:

BWAC - Friends of BWCA Trails (Pow Wow Trail) - Jan 21 info meeting about trail clearing trips, Feb 6 annual meeting with author Cary Griffith (Lost in the Wild, Gunflint Burning) as speaker. Information here: PowWow trail meeting

Border Route Trail Association Annual meeting, featuring a presentation from a recent thru-hiker, Jan 9, info here: BRT annual meeting

geotramper: "
One trail I haven't done yet is the Rose Cliffs loop that links together the BRT and a few spur trails to create a short loop with a lot of elevation. This is on my list for 2020. "

Here's your gpx data with distances for the loop if you want it. I was with a new backpacker and an out of shape backpacker on this trip. They thought it was hard; I did not though there is more vert than any of the other bwca loops. We saw zero signs of humans, even at the trailhead. Course it was November.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1947413521

dex8425: "
Here's your gpx data with distances for the loop if you want it. I was with a new backpacker and an out of shape backpacker on this trip. They thought it was hard; I did not though there is more vert than any of the other bwca loops. We saw zero signs of humans, even at the trailhead. Course it was November.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1947413521"

Much appreciated. Haven't taken any trips that late, but shoulder season is my preferred hiking season. No bugs, fewer people, interesting changes (spring/fall foliage).

Thank you for all of your input!

Decided on doing a section of the Border Route Trail. Booked our permit this morning. Entering at the Partridge Lake / South Lake Access trail, and heading east for a couple days, then back out, possibly dropping out at Clearwater and getting a shuttle back.

Very much looking forward to our first BWCA Backpacking trip!

We are located mid-BRT on the South Lake Trail, if you run into issues just hike down and give us a shout, we'll help you out!