This message has had HTML content edited out of it.
A pair of BWCA newbies planning a 5 day trip, entering at Wood Lake and existing at Fall Lake via a trip around United States Point. Looking for advice/feedback.

Here are current plans:
Dates: Aug 17 through Aug 22
Taking kayaks... not looking for debate on kayak vs canoe, etc. We are both experienced backpackers with ultra-light gear(MSR pocket rocket stove, titanium cooking gear, light hammocks, etc) and used to packing light. We both have kayaks (Tsunami 140 and Axis 12) and are moderately to very experienced with kayaks. We both have portage yokes for our boats. Very aware of the issues of unpacking kayak to pack portage bag, etc. Neither of us have canoe experience. Neither of us have portaged our kayaks long distances (maybe a hundred feet). I am planning to go to a local trail and try a mile hike with mine (can't wait to see the looks I get... there is no water remotely close to the park).

Day 1, Aug 17: Enter Wood Lake, traverse the lake, portage to Hula, traverse lake, portage to Good Lake, traverse the lake and portage to Basswood. >>> Paddle Basswood and camp somewhere in the area of Washington Island. Mapping this out, appears to be roughly 6-7 miles of travel with 380 or 450 rods of total portage, depending on whether Good Creek is floatable. Longest portages will be 195 rods from Entry 26 parking to Wood Lake and 130 rods from Hula Lake to Good Lake.

Day 2, Aug 18: Break camp and paddle around United States Point. Camp somewhere between Hausons Island and Jackfish Bay... ideally closer to Hausons Island end of that area. Estimate around 8 miles of travel, no portages.

Day 3 and Day 4, Aug 19 and Aug 20: Continue to camp in same spot. Fish, explore, including going to Basswood River for the falls, etc.

Day 5, Aug 21: Break camp and travel 6-ish miles down into Lewis Narrows area, setting up camp. No portages.

Day 6, Aug 22: Break camp and travel into Pipestone Bay to the Pipestone Bay - Newton Lake portage. Portage to Newton Lake. Traverse the lake to the Fall Lake portage. Portage to Fall Lake. Paddle to entry 24.

That's the current plan.

Questions:
1) Is this reasonable for 2 BWCA newbies? The portages SEEM reasonable... not too long, nothing too severe/rough. However, should we plan something with less portages... i.e. enter and return at Fall Lake versus enter at Wood Lake?
2) Is the distance for our travel days reasonable? I know with my kayak moderately empty, I can do 6-8 miles in around 2.5 hours. Obviously it will be somewhat slower with the addition of more cargo but still except to be able to over 8 miles in a reasonable time, even factoring in some site seeing along the way.
3) I realize that Basswood Lake is pretty easily accessible, plus has the areas where motors are allowed and I understand it can be relatively "crowded" for the BWCA. Are we going to have issues finding campsites in the areas described during the 2nd half of August?
4) Obviously our plan involves a shuttle. We were planning to leave vehicle at entry 24 and get a shuttle to put in at entry 26. Are their companies/people in the area who do this? If so, any particular recommendations?

Any other advice/thoughts/guidance?

Thanks!
Jason

It's reasonable I'd say. But, unless you want to paddle through some smaller no-motor lakes to get there I'd say you might as well start and stop at Fall Lake. Less portaging. Or for even less portaging if you still want a shuttle trip, start at Moose Lake just down the road. Paddle up to Prairie Portage and one portage and you're on Basswood. LOTS of paddling on that route. But it's also small boat territory until you're past the motor line like you'd be looking at on your original route.

Whichever of those 3 options you feel sounds best (and has open permits yet) I'd give it a shot. You'll be able to do well over 6 to 8 miles a day on those lakes (as long as the wind allows)

I'd target a camp in the no-motor zone north end of Jackfish or along the border west of US point. Get there on Day 2, stay a day or two, and head out. You'll like the river/falls area. Pull your boats up and out of the way and hike the trails and take your fishing stuff.

I can’t help with much info, since I have never tried a kayak in the BW.

I can tell you this though- Good Creek is floatable, but by that time of year is choked with wild rice, especially near the Basswood end. You will save time and effort taking the portage from Good into Basswood. Hula will also have a lot of wild rice on it, especially the end near Wood Lake, but it’s not as thick or long of a stretch as Good Creek.

I haven't done that full route. That being said, day 1 is aggressive, but I suppose doable....part of it is wind dependent. Although Wood is not like some of the bigger lakes, I have been on it days when it is really rough and difficult-the same with Basswood.

The length seems mildly aggressive, but again doable. If you are looking for speed the first day, don't take the creek-it is faster to do the portage into Basswood.

The portages are pretty decent, so there is not real issues there.

You will be moving right along to stay at your schedule, but if you have time, make sure to head left out of the portage into Basswood--to Hoist Bay. Some neat evidence of the old logging days all around including a sunken steam engine....

I've never stayed in Basswood-to many motors for my liking, but that's just me.

The best advice that I wish would have been given me on my first trip was to take time and "smell the roses".

Based on the feedback received so far, we have changed up our plans a bit. Going to enter and leave at Fall Lake (EP24). Depending on how we do, how we are feeling, etc, we MAY still do a loop(really a lollipop) and portage from Back Bay into Lewis Narrows.

I did put my portage yoke on my kayak and walk it 1.2 miles, including a pretty good hill. I was definitely needing a break at the end but only required about 10-15 rest and then was fully recovered.