BWCA Ely to Gunflint Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
   Trip Planning Forum
      Ely to Gunflint     
 Forum Sponsor

Author

Text

smokingbunny
member (11)member
  
06/29/2020 09:21AM  
Due to the ongoing plague, this summer's Scouting trip with my son through Northern Tier was cancelled by the Troop. The good news is, it looks like I have my wife convinced to let us do a trip on our own next summer. She doesn't like camping so much any more, but that's for the best as it leaves open the possibility of a shuttle for my son and me. This would be my 5th trip to the BWCA and the second for my son and since he will be going off to college that fall, I'd like to make it something special.

I'm targeting six days and, since the shuttle is an option, I think a trip from somewhere near Ely to somewhere accessed by the Gunflint would be great. I've been looking at routes that use either Moose Lake or Lake One as the entry point and most likely Poplar as the exit as this would be close to where my wife would be staying on the Gunflint.

A route along the Kawishiwi to Little Sag and the South of the Hairy Lake PMA then through Banadad looks interesting. But am curious about the condition of travel along the Frost river. A lot of route websites say it's challenging and there is a lack of campsites. The Louse looks interesting as well but I think that both the Louse and Frost might be a bit too much. any opinions on one or the other and fit into an overall route plan?

At this stage I'm looking get some opinions on what is doable so I don't get is in too deep as far as time. I'd plan on having another day as a buffer so we're not planning on needing to be on the road on a tight schedule. Also interested in what others feel would be an interesting rout that stays away from the "crowds" and keeps a mix of river travel.

Thanks in advance
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next
06/29/2020 10:24AM  
I've done two east-to-west paddles - Sawbill to Lake One in six days with my daughter, and Poplar to Mudro via Quetico in nine days with a friend and his son. Going from west to east will be easier than going from east to west. I *really* liked the Sawbill to Lake One trip, it was scenic and nice and relaxed. Sawbill isn't on the Gunflint, of course, but it's pretty accessible from the Gunflint.
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next