BWCA Baker Lake entry vs Hog Creek Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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moose664788
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06/26/2020 08:32AM  
Currently, I have a Baker Lake entry in two weeks, but I am thinking of switching. I am worried about the lack of campsites at Baker/the sites not being that nice. My current plan is to not go any farther then Weird lake. Right now Hog creek has no permits taken two days before my date and none on my date so not busy at all. Baker is open two days before my entry but all taken on my selected date.

Taking my family of five. Wife, son (14) daughter (11) and youngest (5). All have been before multiple times besides the five-year-old this is her first trip.

Looking to base camp and explore. Don’t want to travel that far with the youngest since her interest will wane and since my wife / son will be in the other canoe and are not the best paddlers. Spending five days and four nights.

If you had to choose between these two entry points for my duration of trip, what would you select?

Thanks!!

 
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06/26/2020 09:30AM  
I've been to both entry points, I think you will have many more chances for open campstes on Perent Lake off of Hog Creek entry.
mjmkjun
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06/26/2020 09:44AM  
I agree with Linden. Been there several times because I like to paddle Hog Creek and even though the FS roads are close, as the crow flies, it has all of the wilderness feel.
Perent Lake is a relatively shallow lake (20 ft max depth) with some respectable-sized boulders here and there. Some hidden just beneath the water surface. Polarized sunglasses strongly suggested for paddlers. On my first trip there didn't have my shades on and paddled onto a boulder. oops!
The water is choppy in windy conditions and one wonders how in the world such a slight wind can stir up the water so much. The shallowness? Lakebed, maybe? I'm 70 and not a big guy but I handle the choppy waters fine. I do NOT go out if the wind is strong. You might have concerns about the teens handling the water chop and i think they can. If you look at the map on this site you will see the narrow channel between the string of islands (sites) and the mainland (east). A safer zone than being out in the open west side or south end of the lake. Plus, easier to exit if choppy waters on exit day. Keep the bow perpendicular to the wave action.
From reading your earlier postings, you've been toying with the idea prior to this posting. Go for it.
#998 would be ideal. Shade, plenty room for tent placements, trees for hammocks, breezes, and the throne not far but adequate privacy.
Swan family in the northernmost bay last year when I was there.
MikeinMpls
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06/26/2020 09:44AM  
Done both many times. For base camping and exploring, especially with kids, Hog Creek to Perent is definitely the way to go.

Mike
moose664788
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06/26/2020 11:15AM  
Thanks so much for the advice, campsites look better as well on Hog Creek entry.

I showed my wife and she made the decision, we are switching to Hog Creek. She would rather have possibility of more wind / better campsites in Hog Creek area then Baker lake area.

06/26/2020 12:29PM  
My friend and I are taking our 7 year olds into Baker 4 weeks from today. Looking at the entry I have some of the same concerns you brought up. I went back and forth on booking the permit in the first place but figured what the heck lets give it a shot. We'll see how it goes.
salukiguy
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06/26/2020 12:46PM  
I spent a 5 days base camped on Perent and didn’t have one wavy day. I guess maybe we were lucky.
mjmkjun
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06/26/2020 12:51PM  
salukiguy: "I spent a 5 days base camped on Perent and didn’t have one wavy day. I guess maybe we were lucky."

Those are wonderful spells. I've had those too. Linden recently spent time there windbound all three days at the first site out of Hog Creek but he had a dog in training and didn't want to risk a bouncy paddle with the pup. Poor guy.
moose664788
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06/26/2020 12:53PM  
Are there bass in Perent?
salukiguy
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06/26/2020 02:02PM  
moose664788: "Are there bass in Perent?"


No
mjmkjun
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06/26/2020 05:09PM  
moose664788: "Are there bass in Perent?"
Pike and Walleye only. Michael Furtman has compiled a nice little book on fishing data for lakes of the BWCA & Quetico. Inexpensive. Book
It states that Perent Lake has depths of 38'. I stand corrected.
 
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