Does anyone know the best entry point or route to get to Insula Lake?

Also, how long does it take to get from the entry point to Insula for a group of 50 year olds who are at least average paddlers?

My first trip was to Insula, went in entry 30, lake one, two, three, four, hudson, then Insula. We made it to the south end on day one but it was a long paddle. Stopping for a night along the way would be very relaxing but you will be in the 2011 burn area. Well worth it though, in my opinion.

12 miles from Lake 1 to Insula. Easily be there with a relaxed paddle in a day

I found EP30 to one of the beach sites on east side by 1:00 or 2:00 pretty easy - 65 year old and 25 year old son.

This past July I did a short solo trip from EP30 to Insula. I was 51 and in very average (at best!) physical condition. I single portaged. I camped at site 1339 which is a very good site. I didn’t see another canoe for two days as its back in a dead end bay.

It took me six hours to get to site 1339 with little-to-no wind, paddling around the east side of Insula and briefly stopping to check out site 1341 (pass!). On the way out I took the more direct route using the “Moose Portage” short cut and did the route in 5 hours with a moderate headwind on Lake Two and Lake One for the last 1.5 hours as it got closer to noon and warmed up.

So 5-6 hours from EP30 to the west, middle of Insula for me.

I'm sure you really mean shortest/least portaging which would be an EP30 permit and the 1-2-3-4-Wilson-Insula route. A path well traveled. While it should be an easy day's paddle, a combination of inclement weather, low water and double+ portaging caused a group I was with a few years ago to stop at Lake Three and, incidentally, never make it to Insula.

But I wanna be that guy and say the "best" way to get to Insula would be the 'Long Rivers Route,' an EP36 Hog Creek to EP37 Kawishiwi Lake loop that includes Bald Eagle, Insula, and Malberg. Entering at 36, Insula should be day 5 or 6 of a leisurely 8-10 day trip.

For an average group of people, I would say 7 hours or so at a leisurely pace, double portaging. That is if you enter at Lake One. I did it solo in July last year and made it to Insula in 4 hours, single portaging. I was really pushing though, as I was traveling about 25 miles that day. You’ll get lots of variation in estimates as wilderness travel rates vary greatly from one group to another. Enjoy yourself, Insula is a gem.

Tony

EP 30 is certainly the easiest way to go. Have done it several times but being in no hurry and double portaging we always considered it a long day. In the busy season there can be quite a backup at a couple of the portages.
Also, it seems we always run across people who have a hard time finding the first portage to Lake Two. So if you don't know the area it can take longer than average.
But it is beautiful and the fishing is usually good.