Please give any tips for a mid Sept. trip. We have done many trips in mid July but My son is scheduling a trip in mid September with a few pals from all over the US. They are going to use an outfitter but as far as weather I know it can be tricky has anyone camped in mid September what was it like? Are 50 degree days really cold or does the sun provide some warmth? What time does sunset? A new experience!! Please share tips and experiences.Thanks!

Everyone has their own sense of temperature. Cold to me may be warm to you.

I go in September (in fact, next week). Almost guaranteed to rain sometime during the trip. Sometimes cloudy, sometimes not. You just go and live with it...that is part of the adventure.

The science is settled on the motion of the earth relative to the sun. All you have to do is google sunset time Ely MN, or something similar.

As the old saying goes, my worst day in the BWCA is better than my best day at the office.

The main thing to know about mid-Sept. weather is that it could be about anything. The averages are about 60-65 and 40-45, but it could be 20-25 warmer or colder. It could be rainy or not, windy or not, and any combination of those. Seriously. It might be 80, sunny, and calm. It might be 45, wet, and windy. You can look up the averages and record highs and lows for their dates.

Equinox is the 22nd, I believe, but could be off a day. 12 hour day and 12 hour nights. I usually check a moon, sun calendar and note how even after sunset there is light for some time, all noted on the calendar with nautical and astronomical twilight and dawn.

Two years ago on Seagull we went last week of September and had sun, then rain, then sleet, then snow. . . sometimes 3 times in the same day. Also wind and white caps. Three years ago. . . .same lake. . .same week. . .we were swimming in the lake and it was in the 70's.

50 degrees and sunny is lovely when you are paddling and portaging. You can work hard and not sweat very much.

However, 50 degrees with wind and rain can be a dangerous temp if you are not dressed for it. I like polar fleece, others like wool. Either way, you want multiple layers that can help retain heat when they are wet. Hat, gloves etc for the extremities. I also bring multiple rain jackets when tripping mid September and later. Keep in mind the life jacket can be used as an insulation layer.

Aside from the potential windy cold rainy September day, it really is a beautiful time to go with fewer bugs and less severe weather. Enjoy the campfires as the days are shorter, and the evenings earlier.

I just came out yesterday from 4 days out of Kawishiwi Lake EP. 60s and 40s with a dip in the 30s the first night sleeping at the primitive campground the night before. I was planning on bringing the 40 degree bag but in the middle of the night switched to the 20 degree and brought that instead, thank GOd! I slept outside under the stars no tent. Weather was perfect except a lot of moisture developed on the outside of the bag, making it a little cold. Perhaps not if slept in a tent. A bivvy bag would probably rectify that.

60-65 water temps. I wet foot with running shoes and wool socks. No issues. Probably the limit of going this way however. ANother tip, try and find sunrise facing sites. Easier to get out of the bag in the morning!

We just came out of EP4, we were up on Lake Cummings. First night hit 26 degrees, so be ready for cold. Learned the boiling water in the naglene bottle trick. Very handy little heater to have in your sleeping bag. Rest of days were 10 degrees warmer at night. Also, fall colors are in full bloom.