Heading up in a bit for two 1 week trips both out of Sawbill. I'll be spending a few days before, between and after the trips at Sawbill Campground and just today found out that the Sawbill Outfitter showers are closed and will continue to be closed to the public. So it looks like bucket cleansing and solar showers for me just so I can live with myself.

Have fun Jerry! The height of Summer will be a great time to be there. I just got back from a month on The Gunflint Trail. I wasn’t able to take a traditional shower either. I got by with sex trade worker baths and an occasional pan of warm water dumped over my head. The bright side was I knew I didn’t have COVID-19 because I didn’t lose my sense of smell. I could always tell when I began to smell bad! I hope you have as good of a time as I did.

I wonder why the showers are closed? I just got back home from two Minnesota state parks and they both had showers and bathrooms open. A shower is a shower, I don’t see the difference.

I think showers can be open if they are given extra cleaning. It might be a hassle to have them open and they may not have the staff to do the extra cleaning. That’s why Devil Track Campground has been closed. It’s managed by the same folks that manage nearby Two Island Lake Campground and it was too much for them to do the extra cleaning of just Latrines. I’m glad the showers are open in State Parks.

Solar showers during a summer Boundary Waters trip are heavenly! We put down a little tarp to save the feet from little sharp objects and enjoy :-) There is so much grime from sunscreen, dirt, bug repellant, etc. to wash away. Just hope the bugs aren't terrible.

I'm told for the Sawbill showers it is closed to the public because the staff also uses those shower facilities and the outfitter wants to keep them safe for the staff to use during the paddling season. They certainly can't afford for the staff to all get sick.

I'm okay with that.

We always take solar showers (2). Even if you swim, a nice rinse with filtered water is hard to beat. When hot, it is necessary to take a shower for better sleeping. They are worth their weight for us.

Forget the “solar “shower. Just heat water on the stove and pour into the solar shower. I’m always amazed at how little water is used to feel clean!!!

Showers are good. I just heat up enough water to slightly warm the lake water. Invigorating, ya?

Guess I'll have to bring my noisy generator to recharge travel trailer house battery since Sawbill's showers are for employees only these days. (Just kidding.)
Sawbill Outfitters is looking out for its employees. I like that.

mjmkjun: " Showers are good. I just heat up enough water to slightly warm the lake water. Invigorating, ya?


Guess I'll have to bring my noisy generator to recharge travel trailer house battery since Sawbill's showers are for employees only these days. (Just kidding.)
Sawbill Outfitters is looking out for its employees. I like that."

I like it too...and in looking out for their employees, they're looking out for their customers too. If the staff become disease vectors, then Sawbill becomes a Superspreader Site.

ghamer: "Solar showers during a summer Boundary Waters trip are heavenly! We put down a little tarp to save the feet from little sharp objects and enjoy :-) There is so much grime from sunscreen, dirt, bug repellant, etc. to wash away. Just hope the bugs aren't terrible.
"

Exactly what we do, only we use a small piece of Tyvek to stand on. A hot shower does wonders, and on multiple week adventures, really makes a difference. Jumping in the cold lake water does nothing whatsoever except to make you wet and cool you off.

bwcadan: "We always take solar showers (2). Even if you swim, a nice rinse with filtered water is hard to beat. When hot, it is necessary to take a shower for better sleeping. They are worth their weight for us."

I really want to know what is the difference? This time of year, a swim after each portage or at the campsite is heavenly. I don't know how the water in a shower is any different except you are not all wet at the same time?

I have a Sea to Summit Pocket Shower and I love it. I bought two really light weight tent footprints on clearance. I use one for the "floor" and the other for a privacy screen/wind break. I also hang my towel and wash cloth on it. I fill the Pocket Shower almost full of lake water then add about a liter of boiling water. It's enough water for two showers. I paddle in the shoulder seasons and it's too darn cold for me to swim.

I always take one. Lay it on a flat rock in the morning and it's ready for use in the evening.

I think it's hilarious to filter water before showering.
Nature- it's trying to kill me.