Hi all,
My brother and I are heading out on a trip in mid-July. We'll be driving from Duluth in the morning, so the first day will be a little shortened. We are reasonably fit and planning to move each day.

Option 1: Meeds Lake
I actually have a Meeds permit booked, but am still exploring all options. I did a solo trip a month back through Liz, Caribou, Horseshoe, Gaskin, Allen, Hensen, Winchell, etc. so I'm a bit keen on exploring other areas (was pondering Meeds to Long Island and out through Skipper) or a loop that hit Brule and came back through Horseshoe (MOOSE).

Option 2: Daniels Lake
Some variant of looping to Mountain, etc., and back through Clearwater/Caribou to West Bearskin (portage road from Clearwater). I was a Menogyn staff and camper, so this area feels like my backyard. Did a similar family trip last fall.

Option 3: Baker Lake
I haven't looked at this closely, and haven't been there, but there's still a permit open....

My brother hasn't been to the BWCA in awhile, but has paddled a bunch in his life and is game. I've been torn about permits because I love the Mountain Lake palisade border route feel, but also the more subdued quintessential bwca moose country south of the Gunflint.....feeling pressure of planning a good trip for my bro!

The only one I have not done is Baker Lake.

#1 We did a Meeds entry a few years back and really enjoyed it. You don't see very many people in Meeds, Hensen, Pillsbery, etc. We only did a 2 night so we covered less area than you. My son is making a slight detour on his trip to get up to Meeds just because he enjoyed the peacefulness and the long skinny lakes around there.

#2 As another Menogyn alum, I totally understand the pull to be back in that part of the BW. And I may be biased, but I think it is one of the prettiness areas in the whole region. You can't go wrong with this route.

Cherokee Loop out of Baker Lake in 3 days can be done, but is a lot of travel time. Especially if the first day is shortened.

E.g. Day 1 Baker to South or North Temperance.
Day 2. South Temperance to the north end of Sawbill.
Day 3. Sawbill to Baker Lake.

All of these days have campsite uncertainty due to proximity to entry lakes.

If you could start at Baker and end at Sawbill, it would be much more doable. You would need a shuttle from Sawbill Outfitter to Baker Lake.

Day 1. Baker to Jack Lake or Temperance Lakes depending on time.
Day 2. Temperance Lakes to Cherokee.
Day 3. Cherokee to Sawbill.

That itinerary would give you a lot more fishing time.

I'd choose meeds to skillet as u describe.

The Daniels mountain area deserves a trip if 4 or 5 days so u have adequate time to explore rise, mountain, moose...

Never been to baker so can't comment on that.

The meeds area offers more bushy swampy areas with more opportunity for wildlife sightings

I'd go Meeds as well. Lots of areas to go there. Baker is ok but you are either base camping not too far in or you have to go a decent distance which would be better with like five days to play with.