Hello,
We are looking for a feedback on a couple routes or thoughts on additional routes.

We will be entering the BWCA via Sawbill on July 22nd, returning July 25th. We have looked at the Frost River Loop and a Louse River/little Sag Loop. Any other suggested routes would be appreciated or feedback on the two above.

We are looking to do a little fishing but it would not have to be a trip just to fish.

Thank you!

Howdy Moose... welcome to the board! You'll find lots of experienced paddlers sharing lots of great information.

Could you be more specific as to what you're looking for regarding the routes? It sounds like you've decided that you're entering at Sawbill, but you're asking about other routes. What are you hoping to learn?

Thanks for the response.

We would like to do a loop if possible (not a 'down and back')

I am curious to know if anyone has a recommendations on a loop starting from Sawbill. We would like to have one day of fishing and ideally be removed from the crowds.

Would the Frost River or Louse River/Sag Loop be too low during this time of year?

Is it also possible to do these loops if we start out in the early morning July 22nd return the 25th ?

Any other loops suggestions would be appreciate too.
Thanks!

If you are looking for a leisurely trip you could head north out of Sawbill to Cherokee then back south into North Temperance and then South Temperance and on down the Temperance River through Weird, Jack, and Kelly, and then back Northwest to Burnt and Smoke and then back to Sawbill. You would have plenty of time to explore and/or fish. Cherokee is a really beautiful lake and South Temperance is said to have vey good fishing. In years past the Temperance River has reportedly been a good place to spot Moose.

So you are looking at 3 night/4 days in the BW.

1. The Louse River/Little Sag routes are out of the question. Too far to cover in the time allotted. (IMHO)

2. Frost River would be doable, but would not allow much time for fishing. e.g. Day 1 Sawbill, Ada Creek, Ada Lake, Skoop Lake, Cherokee Creek, Cherokee Lake, Gordon Lake, Unload Lake, Frost Lake. (Very long day). Day 2 Frost River to Afton Lake. (Very long day). You could press on to Hub Lake). Then Day 3 would be free to fish Hub Lake. Day 4 Out to Sawbill Lake (Very Long Day). We have gone out from Mesaba Lake starting very early in the morning (daybreak) and have been out by about 2 pm. A more reasonable timeline would be: Day 1 Sawbill to Cherokee, Day 2 Cherokee to Frost and fish). Day 3 Frost Lake to Mesaba Lake (very long day). Day 4 Mesaba to Sawbill Lake.

Another consideration for the Frost is that it has been a mostly dry year. Water levels could be lower and make the Frost River a much longer slog. This would make the loop very sketchy in 4 days.

3. I like the route suggested by Whendrix - Cherokee Loop. We did this exact trip last Sept. Day 1 Sawbill to Cherokee. Day 2 Cherokee to South Temperance and fish. Day 3 South Temperance to Kelly Lake or Burnt Lake and fish. Day 4 Kelly or Burnt to Sawbill Lake.

If you want any kind of seclusion with that short of a time frame the Cherokee loop is the only thing I can think of. Without knowing your age or experience I don't want you to think it is a cake walk though. You will cross the height of land several times and the portages, while well maintained and used, are rugged, especially if muddy. Cherokee is a stunning lake. I didn't have much success fishing it, but that is not saying much. You may decide to base camp on Cherokee and come back the way you came via Ada Creek. No shame in that. Have to be flexible with shorter trips, especially if it is windy and rainy.

With the time constraints you have, I'd also recommend a Sawbill Loop or an in/ back out same route. I've done that loop clockwise, counterclockwise, and in/back out. It's a scenic route, for sure. Cherokee Creek itself is a gem too. A half-day at a good pace (but not rushed) will get you to Cherokee L. from Sawbill dock. The terrain is a bit more rugged as you head out of Cherokee Lake on a clockwise loop route towards north and south temperance lakes. Quite doable in 3 days/3 nights without leaving you totally exhausted at nights from a more demanding route. (maybe a little achy) There will be beaver dams and bit of mud/muck here and there. Not much, though.

One idea

These are great. Cherokee to Temperance is probably the route we will take. If anyone has a recommend side trip off that route let me know.

Appreciate all the help and looking forward to our trip. Thanks again.

BWCA_Moose: "These are great.
Cherokee to Temperance is probably the route we will take.
If anyone has a recommend side trip off that route let me know.


Appreciate all the help and looking forward to our trip.
Thanks again


"

It's not much of a side trip but very interesting: On the Jack Lake to Kelly Lake portage there is an abandoned gold mine about 50 yards to the west. There is a trail real close to the Jack Lake side of the portage. I didn't enter the mine since I was on a solo trip, but definitely would have if there was other people with me.
FISHONFISHOFF

I might be late to the party but another great option would be the lady chain. Start at Sawbill and have it lined up for them to pick you up at Kawishiwi lake landing the day you're taking out. Never see the same place twice and the lady chain is a nice scenic route with smaller lakes and streams and plenty of fish.

If you wanted more flexibility on your take-out day, have them shuttle you back the morning you put in so your car is parked at the take out point. Then you still start @ Sawbill but then you end up at your own car and bring everything back to Sawbill. (if you're renting any gear from them)

WHendrix: "If you are looking for a leisurely trip you could head north out of Sawbill to Cherokee then back south into North Temperance and then South Temperance and on down the Temperance River through Weird, Jack, and Kelly, and then back Northwest to Burnt and Smoke and then back to Sawbill. You would have plenty of time to explore and/or fish. Cherokee is a really beautiful lake and South Temperance is said to have vey good fishing. In years past the Temperance River has reportedly been a good place to spot Moose."

Not only is this not a "leisurely trip", I find the whole route suggested a pretty aggressive track given .. what did they say? 2-3 days? At 55 years old, Ive done the Sawbill to Cherokee route. I found it fairly hard and maybe would have been easier if I hadn't had to triple turn the 180 heading into the creek because my friend was exhausted. That said, I was pretty pissy by the time we made our camp.

okinaw55, sorry you had a hard turn at the 180r portage. That likely factored in needless frustration/fuming. Perhaps 'leisure' is a slight stretch. It's not a cake-walk but the last time I did the loop I was 67. I certainly was sore but it's just part of the whole enchilada. I loved it! The toughest part for me was Kelly to Burnt portage-camel hump--which was on the tail-end of that trip. Pack some Tylenol/Ibuprofen to help ease the discomfort from toils.

I Base Camped at Cherokee in October a few years ago and did a day paddle to Frost Lake that I really liked! Gordon Lake is very pretty and we even had luck catching Northerns too!

I like the Lady Lake chain route also. Very scenic, a couple challenging portages but not as hard as some of the ones on the Cherokee loop. Some lakes, rivers, and burn areas.

Northwoodsman: "I like the Lady Lake chain route also. Very scenic, a couple challenging portages but not as hard as some of the ones on the Cherokee loop. Some lakes, rivers, and burn areas."

Shuttles are running out of Sawbill Outfitters. Very doable route, as well.