Good afternoon,

I am looking at taking my family on a much easier route than I have in the past and looking for a fun route for them. Any ideas?

-CanoeViking

The Granite River fits that bill! Enter at either Magnetic Lake EP57 or Larch Creek EP80. My preference would be to enter thru Magnetic Lake via Gunflint Lake, then follow Pine River. Locals will crank out that route in a long day. You end on Saganaga and can hit one of many island campsites, then paddle in the following morning. Good fishing throughout, many nice campsites... only a few portages around rapids and they are easy... some nice swimming holes. Can get crowded during peak times, though, depending on when you go. Lots of blueberries! Route follows the border. You will see several border markers.

Mike

I was thinking the same thing.

What makes it fun for them? Rapids? Narrow winding stream? Fishing?

I know some fun rivers but some people's definition of fun are different :)

Fishing is a must, rapids are a big plus, nice campsite is hopeful, swimming would be fun, but not required. This will likely be late July or August.

I'd say Granite fits as mentioned above. It's not super long but supposed to be good fishing and a few nice rapids/falls. It's not real difficult either but will give a good mix of river, lake, and a few portages. Tumblehome podcast just did an episode on this route, I highly recommend.

Granite River!!

Agree with Granite River. Not worrying about the wind is nice on a river route, fishing is decent especially when you get up around Marabeouf and Devil's elbow.

For swimming, if you can grab the campsite on the north end of Clove, it's a nice sandy beach that slopes out gradually into the water, perfect for swimming.

Basswood river would be my first choice. Super scenic area. Rapids, falls and pictographs.

A little more on the Granite.....you can do a fairly easy trip in 3-4 days or stretch it out 5-7 days doubling up at a couple of nice sites which is what I did when I did that route a few years ago.....Once you hit The Sag Falls at the end of the trip, we took 2 easy days to get in island hopping. you just have to be careful on the big lake with wind/waves....it can kick up quick. some people arrange a tow to pick them up at the falls rather than paddle in.....you could also run the route in reverse and start at the falls and work your way upstream....I've never been on the Basswood River so can't give you a comparison....

Mike

Another vote for the Granite river. I did this trip in August 1976 and still remember how nice it was compared to many other BW trips. But then I tend to favor river trips over lake paddling.

never been a fan of "moving water" so i will add that as scenic as the granite river is, it is a good route. my preference is to start at Sag and paddle back to Gunflint, that way i know for certain i won't get sucked into any rapids because i'm not paying attention (due to gazing at the scenic beauty). the only current is at the rapids so i'm not sure it really matters which direction the river is paddled. there is not that much elevation change on this route so the argument of more uphill portaging would not be true, except maybe on the the 105 rd portage.

if made to do the river with the current i'd prefer to start at EP 80, Larch Creek, and meander my way to Larch lake. i've seen more cool plants, flowers and "stuff" on this creek.

also, if renting canoes from an outfitter you might be surprised to find out they don't want you running the rapids with their canoes! go figure.

water levels also play a role in the enjoyability factor of this route. the lower the water the more boulders and mud you'll encounter.

I will second that. Been on many a trip. They all end up on the Basswood River.

Dodger.

To those that have done the Granite River, can anyone tell me what McKenzie maps would be needed to go from Magnetic Lake to Sag? I had a bit of trouble determining the map boundaries from the overview map in the McKenzie website. Also, is EP 57 accessed from Gunflint Lake?

Map#5 “Magnetic Lake” will take you from gunflint lake al the way to Sag and down the sag corridor to the takeout....also has the Larch lake entry on it....and yes ep 57 is accessed from gunflint lake....you paddle across and thru the “notch” into magnetic...we stayed in a bunkhouse at gunflint outfitters and launched from their beach....as far as Mocha’s advice....there probably isn’t anyone on here more knowledgeable on that route than her....just sayin’...

Mike