BWCA From Snowbank to One: radial trips and lakes to stay longer Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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TeamGB
member (8)member
  
07/16/2020 07:37AM  
Hi guys,
in 2011-2012 I made two good loops from Lake One to Snowbank. The first one was the shortest route through Insula, Thomas, Ima, Disappointment.
The latter one was quite a challenging single-portaging trip via Alice, Adams, Boulder, Kekekabic, Vera, and Ensign.
In less than 10 days I plan to go with a mixed and weakened team of 3 generations for a very modest trip in the opposite direction, from Snowbank to One. We will have 8 nights, and I plan to stay for two nights at the same camp twice.

Could you please recommend me the lakes and places to stay at or investigate more thoroughly? I mean I passed through many of them but I cannot say that I know Insula, Ima, Thomas, or The-Numbered-ones well.
Any radial day-trips you could recommend?
For example, I really liked the L-shaped channel to Alice and narrow waterways towards Adams. Would it be a good direction for there and back for a day or overnight trip? Or maybe to Malberg, which I touched but did not have time to look at on my other entry-point-trip (Poly-Makwa segment)?

Would you recommend to look closer or stay a night at Alice instead of upper Insula? By the way, what would you say about the portage between Thomas and Alice, is it too difficult for a mixed group? Is it worth looking at Upper Alice?
Finally, any specific difficulties going clockwise? It means our last part will be on Lakes 3, 2 , 1. Are they as good and crowded as before? Any good corner to try? Any recent fires in the area?
Thank you much!
 
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Scott S
Guest Paddler
  
07/16/2020 11:23AM  
Team GB.

I did this loop in 2018 with 4 dads and 4 scouts. 1st day Snowbank, Parent, Disappointment, Ahsub, Jitterbug, Adventure, Cattyman, Jordan. Stayed Jordan 2 nights. Picto's on the NW rocks to your left as you enter the lake from Cattyman. Alos possible pictos on the west side of the narrows heading to the portage into Ima. good fishing just before the portage. 3rd day Jordan, Ima, Hatchet, Thomas, Kiana, Insula. We stayed on the island site (1326) for 2 nights. You can day trip to Alice to see the picto's at Fishdance. Fishing is great right off the island, Pike and Walleye right from the shore landing. Day 4 south to Kawishiwi river and west to Hudson. Camped at the fist site on lake Four after the portage. Very nice site. trails to an old logging site to the east and great swimming rigght in front of the site. Last day lakes 3,2,1 and out at EP 30. Easy paddle!!! Enjoy yourself!! Doing a Poplar Long Island loop n 3 weeks, CAN"T WAIT!!!
TeamGB
member (8)member
  
07/17/2020 10:14AM  
Great trip report! Thanks! I have to read carefully, but I have recognized that hole in the wall to/from Ima. In 2011, it was very bad weather, and it was really scary to go there through the hole into Ima, into wind and waves. And Kekekabik (spelling!), I crossed from south to up north but have not seen its rocky eastern shores.
07/18/2020 09:28AM  
Not sure if you went and seen it on your last trip, but if you paddle across Cattyman to the portage over to Gibson, there is a gorgeous waterfall just off the trail mid portage, great place to stop for a break or lunch, and it's not that far across Cattyman Lake. Not sure how far you plan on going the first day, last September, it took us about 4 hours from Snowbank, through Parent, to get to the cliff campsite on Ahsub, just to give you a little reference. We only daytripped up to Jordan and Ima, so can't give you any suggestions from there on out. I would suggest getting a really early start on Snowbank as it can get pretty windy! Hope you enjoy your trip and happy paddling!!
07/18/2020 11:26AM  
From Snowbank to Ima and Thomas is well described. Rather than head south through Alice swing north. The passage into Frazier is impressive and some nice camping on Frazier. A day trip back to Roe is pretty primitive and has good walleye options. And instead of going through Alice go through Kiana. The southern part of Thomas is quiet and while there is a 179 rod portage it is gently rolling and mostly gravel. Once on Insula you can make it out in a push day or catch one of many good sites to stage the last night from along the way.
TeamGB
member (8)member
  
07/21/2020 07:02AM  
bhouse46: "From Snowbank to Ima and Thomas is well described. Rather than head south through Alice swing north. "
Does it mean north part of Alice is not so worth looking at comparatively?
What's about heading east through Alice from Insula? I thought Kavi River should be interesting.
bhouse46: " The passage into Frazier is impressive and some nice camping on Frazier. A day trip back to Roe is pretty primitive and has good walleye options. "
Frazer looks interesting, including the passage from Thomas. I touched those places on the way from Boulder to Keke.
Thank you for input!
07/21/2020 07:18AM  
The river from Insula to Alice is a nice paddle, watch for rocks. You will pass right by it coming from Kianna and entering the larger body of Insula. The island site and other north Insula campsites are nice and a great staging for a trip down that river and you could make a day trip to Fishdance and catch the pictos.
I am not familiar with north Alice, so cannot compare to southern Thomas.
thistlekicker
distinguished member (471)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/21/2020 03:37PM  
The portage between Thomas and Alice (actually, Cacabic) had two short sections of shallow standing water when we came through last week. I'd say the deepest spots would be knee-deep on most adults, but deep enough to overtop most boots. We were double portaging with kids ages 9 and 11 and they made it through OK but it was slow going.

Cattyman Falls is worth the short side trip.
TeamGB
member (8)member
  
07/21/2020 10:29PM  
thistlekicker: "The portage between Thomas and Alice (actually, Cacabic)...
Cattyman Falls is worth the short side trip."

Thanks!! It's the freshest info on the portage! We have 8 nights for this relatively short trip, and I think about some extra entertainment for my team.
 
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