Hey everyone, looking for some assistance.

I had a group trip planned for May 23-29 of this year but all of my buddies had to drop out due to work or family. I've always wanted to do a solo trip and feel this could be the perfect opportunity. Our original trip idea was EP 23 with a guide up to crooked lake to fish. It was a 6 day trip but I'm thinknig scrap the guide and do a solo 4 day paddle instead... I have decent paddle skills and good back packing skills. I'm 29 years old and in pretty good shape.

My question for you all would be should I stick with EP 23? What's a good solo route from EP 23? What other entry points and routes would you recommend?

Fishing for food is more important to me than prize fish as well.

Thanks everyone for your feedback!

Hi Josh,

I did my first solo in July 2018. I made a short 5 day 4 night loop entering and exiting on Mudro. I had been to the BWCA a few times but it had been 15 years. I felt it was an enjoyable easy route so did it again with my wife last July.

Did you buy a new tent? I read your post a while back.

John

Tomcat: "Hi Josh,


I did my first solo in July 2018. I made a short 5 day 4 night loop entering and exiting on Mudro. I had been to the BWCA a few times but it had been 15 years. I felt it was an enjoyable easy route so did it again with my wife last July.


Did you buy a new tent? I read your post a while back.


John



"

Hey Tomcat! I did end up getting a new tent. I went with the Kuiu Mountain Star 2 person. I've set it up in the yard twice so far and I think my golden retriever likes it more than I do. Appreciate your feedback and thanks for sharing your map. Taking a look at that route!

Of the tents you were considering the Mountain Star would have been my choice. What color did you get, gunmetal/olive or gunmetal/orange? I see that they are discounted 15%.

I wasn't planning on a BWCA trip this year but now I am considering doing an expanded loop out of Mudro. Would like to Get a PMA and loop through Sunday and Beartrap. The 14 hour drive is the biggest issue for me. I may see if I can get a permit next week.

Tomcat: "Of the tents you were considering the Mountain Star would have been my choice. What color did you get, gunmetal/olive or gunmetal/orange? I see that they are discounted 15%.


I wasn't planning on a BWCA trip this year but now I am considering doing an expanded loop out of Mudro. Would like to Get a PMA and loop through Sunday and Beartrap. The 14 hour drive is the biggest issue for me. I may see if I can get a permit next week.



"

I got the olive and gunmetal but i wanted the orange. Its a really nice setup and believe it or not, easier to set up than my old MSR Hubba Hubba I have. If you end making the trip let me know.

I have been on many trips starting at EP 23. I think it would be a great first solo area. I usually head up the smaller lakes to the west: Boot, Gun, Gull,...

Once you are past the longer portage into Fourtown, the rest of the portages a short.

Do you have a solo canoe?

I don't need another tent but now that the mountain star is dsicounted I am considering buying one.

I believe permits are available starting January 29th. I will be looking for sometime the third week of July. I have had good luck with weather and insects on July trips. I also like the long day light hours.

I bought a Northstar Northwind 16 from Paragis in Ely when I went on my solo in 2018. It has worked well both solo and tandem. I would like to try a 14 ft. Swift prospector but I don't paddle enough to justify buying another canoe.

I think there’s a great loop there. I went solo in 2007 but had 8 nights. I went through Fourtown up the Moosecamp River and laid over there before continuing through Gull Fairy, Boot and back to Mudro. I would try to get 5-6 nights and go for it.

That's the way I ended up doing my first solo in 2006 from LISN to Finger, Oyster, out MRN. I'm sure you are at least as prepared as I was and should survive. When I went in Mudro, I also went up through Fourtown, Gun, Moosecamp rather than Horse Lake. You don't really need a guide to get around.

I wouldn't shorten the trip because you're solo. I like longer trips.