BWCA Winter Newbie Questions Boundary Waters Winter Camping and Activities
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Rodgifier
member (13)member
  
01/06/2021 09:47AM  
Hey everyone,
I'm looking to do my first winter camping up in the BWCA later in Feb. I'm looking for a good "first-time" overnight that isn't too far of a drive from Mpls., has accessible entry point in winter, and isn't overly challenging in terms of distance and terrain travelled.

I've narrowed it down to these 3 options:

-Hegman Lake (camping on south or north lake, check out pictographs)
-Snowbank to Disappointment
-Snowbank to Parent

I'll be pulling a pulk w/snowshoes and cold camping.

Does anyone have recommendations between these options, or have other tips that will help in my planning?
Thanks!
Mark
 
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Kraut88
senior member (53)senior membersenior member
  
01/06/2021 03:27PM  
Hegman would be super easy. Picto Visitors will have a good trail put in and you can camp in the bays away from the picto route and should have some privacy that way. Lakes have nice scenery and you don't have to go far down the Echo trail and both the trail and the parking lot get plowed. That's a good option for a first time winter outing for a few nights.
wharrier
member (50)member
  
01/06/2021 07:55PM  
I've not camped at any of those but am planning to do Disappointment in February as well. The benefits of that destination is that there is a dogsled trail. I can't express how much easier it is to travel on a packed dog sled trail than breaking a trail through deep snow. You still need snow shoes because it's not hard packed. And since you asked about Parent, you can just head towards disappointment and if you get to Parent and you think it's far enough, just stop there.

I'm also excited to head up to Ahsub, just north of Disappointment. It has brook trout in it. So, that's going to be one of my day trips.
SevenofNine
distinguished member(2472)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/06/2021 08:43PM  
Herman is a good lake for a newbie. You can travel on to little Bass to the northeast if you want more of a secluded experience.

Tips: Remember everything freezes, simple premade meals are easier, cooking over a stove is simpler, hand warmers are great for when you get cold and a fire is a long ways off. So many more tips out there.
Rodgifier
member (13)member
  
01/10/2021 03:01PM  
Thanks for the tips everyone. I'll post a report after the trip!
01/21/2021 11:12PM  
My husband and I have done Snowbank to Parent, and camped on Parent.

We were deciding between some of the same spots as you.

Winter Camping Report, Snowbank to Parent
 
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