It’s coming soon. Who visits the BWCA and Q during the shoulder seasons?

I try to. It is a bit different feel though. No birds are singing as much, there is a twinge of cold/winter in the air, and the sun sets way earlier. The trips always feel more contemplative and a "putting to rest" kinda feel to them.

I do :)

I love the shoulder seasons. No bugs, few people.

It's all I do unless I take scouts.

Well, not sure that September 6-12 really qualifies as "shoulder season", but we will be at a cabin at Rockwood Lodge over those dates. Hoping for some nice weather and some quiet time. It will actually be 11 years to the day since the "Celebration Trip" we took after Spartan1's kidney transplant.

Will be missing our granddaughter, who usually goes with us. She is off at college now.

We do most of our trips in October, and a lot in May, so I guess my wife and I do. Doing the Sioux Hustler trail again sometime after October 15 this year.

We did an August paddling trip this year and it wasn't that bad for crowds, but definitely a different (better IMO) experience going in October or November. Never done a winter trip but it will eventually happen.

Spartan2: "Well, not sure that September 6-12 really qualifies as "shoulder season", but we will be at a cabin at Rockwood Lodge over those dates. Hoping for some nice weather and some quiet time. It will actually be 11 years to the day since the "Celebration Trip" we took after Spartan1's kidney transplant.


Will be missing our granddaughter, who usually goes with us. She is off at college now."

Wonderful that she's in college, which is its own grand adventure. Sad she won't be with Spartans 1 and 2.

Our originally planned June trip was canceled due to concerns about the safety of travel. We did have her with us for a week in July at a "staycation" here in Michigan.

Making lemonade. :-)

Permit booked for 9/20.

Curious, what do you consider "shoulder seasons"?

I really don't know, guess I considered them to be Mid Sept and later, to before May 15.

LindenTree: "Curious, what do you consider "shoulder seasons"?

I really don't know, guess I considered them to be Mid Sept and later, to before May 15."

I had the same question. And those dates match my personal definition.

I also call it “long underwear” season :-)

I’ll be up on the trail sept 7-13 doing touristy stuff. So excited, can’t wait!

I'm always in for May and October!

TipsyPaddler: "

LindenTree: "Curious, what do you consider "shoulder seasons"?


I really don't know, guess I considered them to be Mid Sept and later, to before May 15."

I had the same question. And those dates match my personal definition.


I also call it “long underwear” season :-)"

I always thought before memorial weekend and after Labor Day. Early October is a great time to camp... and the early ice out years were fun too in late April.

Mocha: "I’ll be up on the trail sept 7-13 doing touristy stuff. So excited, can’t wait!"

It must almost feel like you are going home! Maybe I will keep an eye out. Suppose to be going up the 9th. Got a flying moose?

Fall, winter and spring, in that order are my favorite seasons.

I always go up mid-late September. Usually it's pretty quiet. Can't believe the number of permits that are pulled for mid-september this year!

I had considered a June trip this year, COVID changed that. I am back to my annual fall trip. Fewer bugs and people, color change, some thoughts that Equinox increases solar activity and when wing nights were still being held a great halfway stop. Shorter days and being solo means more time in camp and weather can be iffy are a couple of the downsides.
Going in 9/20 for the week.

I will be there the last week of Sept

pswith5: "

Mocha: "I’ll be up on the trail sept 7-13 doing touristy stuff. So excited, can’t wait!"

It must almost feel like you are going home! Maybe I will keep an eye out. Suppose to be going up the 9th. Got a flying moose?"

Almost, Pete! Lots of changes from what I hear. Looking forward to catching up, moose searching, fishing and relaxing. No sticker yet. Got a new vehicle and not a new sticker yet.

bhouse46: "I had considered a June trip this year, COVID changed that. I am back to my annual fall trip. Fewer bugs and people, color change, some thoughts that Equinox increases solar activity and when wing nights were still being held a great halfway stop. Shorter days and being solo means more time in camp and weather can be iffy are a couple of the downsides.
Going in 9/20 for the week."

Where you going Ben? I'll be on Clearwater that week.

Spring and fall are the only times I go. No BWCA for me this year though, I decided to spend 6 days hiking the length of Isle Royale this fall instead.

BearBurrito: "Spring and fall are the only times I go. No BWCA for me this year though, I decided to spend 6 days hiking the length of Isle Royale this fall instead."

Would love to hear more details about this trip. Transportation, camping? Sounds spectacular.

I'm going in at Sawbill on 9/15. I'll be at the campground on the 14th if any one else is there an wants to get together.

Jim,
Going in Brule to Cherokee. Hope to be in Tofte for lunch Sat.
Ben

LindenTree: "Curious, what do you consider "shoulder seasons"?

I really don't know, guess I considered them to be Mid Sept and later, to before May 15."

For me it’s May and October or later. I will be exploring and fishing up there September and October .

What’s going on with Trail Center these days .

Love the last week of lake trout season end of September and leaves turning-best time of the whole year.

fadersup: "

BearBurrito: "I decided to spend 6 days hiking the length of Isle Royale this fall instead."

Would love to hear more details about this trip. Transportation, camping? Sounds spectacular. "

How much detail would you like, Fader? I've been to Isle Royale three times over the years, the last trip being seven years ago with my wife where we hiked the length of the island - Rock Harbor to Windigo. I consider the experience on par with any BW or Q trip. Love Isle Royale.

Jackfish: "

fadersup: "

BearBurrito: "I decided to spend 6 days hiking the length of Isle Royale this fall instead."

Would love to hear more details about this trip. Transportation, camping? Sounds spectacular. "

How much detail would you like, Fader? I've been to Isle Royale three times over the years, the last trip being seven years ago with my wife where we hiked the length of the island - Rock Harbor to Windigo. I consider the experience on par with any BW or Q trip. Love Isle Royale. "

Thanks Jackfish, did you tent camp, stay at a lodge or a combo? How many days do your recommend as a minimum first visit?

We're not backpackers but I think I could make it work for a couple of nights. Is the hiking rugged or moderate?

Have you done any fishing? Paddling? Wildlife sightings?

Sorry for any thread hijacking, feel free to shoot me an email.

fadersup: "

BearBurrito: "Spring and fall are the only times I go. No BWCA for me this year though, I decided to spend 6 days hiking the length of Isle Royale this fall instead."

Would love to hear more details about this trip. Transportation, camping? Sounds spectacular. "

It's my first time going so I don't have a lot of info about camping yet. This trip has been on my radar for a few years, and I decided to pull the trigger this year since the ferries are shut down. The only access this year is by float plane so there shouldn't be a lot of people on the island. I plan on hiking the Greenstone ridge trail from Rock Harbor to Windigo. Campsites seem to be from 6-8 miles apart so I'm planning on taking short days and spending time exploring side trails or just hanging out in camp.

Yep will be in the Agnes/Oyster/LLC area Sept 17-20. Can’t wait

We are heading in on Sept 13. This will be the latest we have ever gone. Hope it's not too cold. I always wet foot the exit and entry at portages.

Canoe42: "We are heading in on Sept 13. This will be the latest we have ever gone. Hope it's not too cold. I always wet foot the exit and entry at portages."

Water will be real warm still,nights might be a little frost, usually no bugs but not always. Leaves will be just starting to turn.

usually the weather around Oct. 1 the weather can be super hot or a freak snowstorm which will melt in two days.

I visit the BW every month of the year.

BearBurrito: "

fadersup: "

BearBurrito: "Spring and fall are the only times I go. No BWCA for me this year though, I decided to spend 6 days hiking the length of Isle Royale this fall instead."

Would love to hear more details about this trip. Transportation, camping? Sounds spectacular. "

It's my first time going so I don't have a lot of info about camping yet. This trip has been on my radar for a few years, and I decided to pull the trigger this year since the ferries are shut down. The only access this year is by float plane so there shouldn't be a lot of people on the island. I plan on hiking the Greenstone ridge trail from Rock Harbor to Windigo. Campsites seem to be from 6-8 miles apart so I'm planning on taking short days and spending time exploring side trails or just hanging out in camp."

Good for you! I spoke with the office today and they said park traffic is about 25% this year. You made the right decision, hope your trip is excellent and we'll look forward to the details when you get back.

November, cold, wet snow, wet boots. No people, just us and the moose. Daughter couldn’t be happier.

egknuti: "I visit the BW every month of the year. "

Over the years I have also.

AmarilloJim: "

bhouse46: "I had considered a June trip this year, COVID changed that. I am back to my annual fall trip. Fewer bugs and people, color change, some thoughts that Equinox increases solar activity and when wing nights were still being held a great halfway stop. Shorter days and being solo means more time in camp and weather can be iffy are a couple of the downsides.
Going in 9/20 for the week."

Where you going Ben? I'll be on Clearwater that week."

we will be on CW that weekend (25-26-27) as well. Bringing my dad up and staying in a small cabin there. It will be dads first time in the BWCA and he’s 66. Never too late!

Basspro69: "What’s going on with Trail Center these days ."

Alive and kicking! We had a feast of chicken strips and milkshakes in the parking lot in June.

jwartman59: " "

That's priceless!

Canoe42: "We are heading in on Sept 13. This will be the latest we have ever gone. Hope it's not too cold. I always wet foot the exit and entry at portages."

I will entering EP37 on 9/13 for my first solo. Hoping to get a first come site at the Sawbill Campground on 9/12. If it is full, Sawbill Outfitters said there is an old CCC camp in the area. It still has clearings to park a car in for dispersed camping.

Canoe42: "We are heading in on Sept 13. This will be the latest we have ever gone. Hope it's not too cold. I always wet foot the exit and entry at portages."

I will entering EP37 on 9/13 for my first solo. Hoping to get a first come site at the Sawbill Campground on 9/12. If it is full, Sawbill Outfitters said there is an old CCC camp in the area. There are clearings to park a car in for dispersed camping.

jwartman59: "



November, cold, wet snow, wet boots. No people, just us and the moose. Daughter couldn’t be happier."

Same daughter that went to Alaska?
If so, I bet she is used to the rain, cold and wet boots now.

thegildedgopher: "

AmarilloJim: "

bhouse46: "I had considered a June trip this year, COVID changed that. I am back to my annual fall trip. Fewer bugs and people, color change, some thoughts that Equinox increases solar activity and when wing nights were still being held a great halfway stop. Shorter days and being solo means more time in camp and weather can be iffy are a couple of the downsides.
Going in 9/20 for the week."

Where you going Ben? I'll be on Clearwater that week."

we will be on CW that weekend (25-26-27) as well. Bringing my dad up and staying in a small cabin there. It will be dads first time in the BWCA and he’s 66. Never too late!"

We will be coming out on the 26th. If you see 2 red canoes heading west come give us a holler. We should have the LT dialed in by then.

AmarilloJim: "

thegildedgopher: "

AmarilloJim: "

bhouse46: "I had considered a June trip this year, COVID changed that. I am back to my annual fall trip. Fewer bugs and people, color change, some thoughts that Equinox increases solar activity and when wing nights were still being held a great halfway stop. Shorter days and being solo means more time in camp and weather can be iffy are a couple of the downsides.
Going in 9/20 for the week."

Where you going Ben? I'll be on Clearwater that week."

we will be on CW that weekend (25-26-27) as well. Bringing my dad up and staying in a small cabin there. It will be dads first time in the BWCA and he’s 66. Never too late!"

We will be coming out on the 26th. If you see 2 red canoes heading west come give us a holler. We should have the LT dialed in by then."

I'll look for ya! We'll be 3 generations of guys with smiles on our faces, either in our white Alumacraft or one of the green Lunds from the lodge.

Also coming out the 26th.

AmarilloJim: "

thegildedgopher: "

AmarilloJim: "

bhouse46: "I had considered a June trip this year, COVID changed that. I am back to my annual fall trip. Fewer bugs and people, color change, some thoughts that Equinox increases solar activity and when wing nights were still being held a great halfway stop. Shorter days and being solo means more time in camp and weather can be iffy are a couple of the downsides.
Going in 9/20 for the week."

Where you going Ben? I'll be on Clearwater that week."

we will be on CW that weekend (25-26-27) as well. Bringing my dad up and staying in a small cabin there. It will be dads first time in the BWCA and he’s 66. Never too late!"

We will be coming out on the 26th. If you see 2 red canoes heading west come give us a holler. We should have the LT dialed in by then."

Have Fun your Dad at 66 is just a young pup. But always go when you can, put it off and you will never go.

LindenTree: "

jwartman59: "



November, cold, wet snow, wet boots. No people, just us and the moose. Daughter couldn’t be happier."

Same daughter that went to Alaska?
If so, I bet she is used to the rain, cold and wet boots now."

The one and only. I have one rule when we are tripping, no complaining allowed, ever. She is expressing her lack of enthusiasm for the 8” of wet, sloppy snow we got that morning.

We have a trip coming up and it will be close to Fall temperatures. Should be fun. I love the Fall with the cooler temperatures and less bugs.

Falls a time when weather temps start cooling down, but the change in temps just like the spring can be windier than heck. Once it seems like you start getting morw mornings with frost and all that energy in the air is gone you enter a period the lakes can be glass calm for many days.

Twice I have been up there like Oct. 7th and had a snow blizzard hit down by the Isabella lake country to Isabella town area. Once around 2012 we got like 8 inches than In 1976 it was really isolated but had 20 inches of snow than and highway 1 was solid trees across it for about a mile or so. I had a moose permit that year and the snow was past are knees and you could see about 20 feet, snowing so hard. Well in about 5 days it got hot and snow melted fast.

thegildedgopher: "

Basspro69: "What’s going on with Trail Center these days ."

Alive and kicking! We had a feast of chicken strips and milkshakes in the parking lot in June."

Awesome can’t wait to stop in !

cowdoc: "Permit booked for 9/20.


"

Permit booked for 9/21