BWCA In need of a Trip Boundary Waters Listening Point - General Discussion
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sotaman
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03/11/2021 02:49PM  
Its been a very long time since I have been on this website. I am coming to the quick realization I need a trip to the BWCA. My family moved back to North Dakota in 2012 and I haven't been back into the BWCA or the North woods since than. My internal battery needs a recharge of listening to loons and wind through the pines. This feels crazy to me as I like to plan and take charge but I don't have it in me. I have been the Commander of our local VFW post this last year as well as sat on another organization as the president. I just wanna go and paddle, portage and collect firewood.


PS I am not asking to tag along with anyone. I need to snap out of the funk and plan a trip with my bride.
 
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03/11/2021 03:18PM  
Planning the trip and the funk should disappear while doing so. If not, take the trip and it will disappear.
 
03/11/2021 03:48PM  
I totally get it. Maybe you and your bride should just show up at the Sawbill Campground (with any gear you already have), look around and grab a map, (Voyager #8 is perfect for the area), some food and a permit , a canoe and go.
 
03/11/2021 04:39PM  
Welcome back, sotaman!!

Otherwise, what OneMatch said. :-)
 
03/11/2021 05:56PM  
Welcome back. I hope you find what your looking for.
 
03/11/2021 06:10PM  
To build on OneMatch's idea, Burntside is an option to just put in and go. Sag also gives you a lot of options as you paddle away. Take a couple of maps for your entry points and have fun!
 
03/11/2021 07:57PM  
Put just enough work/research into it to find an entry point that gives you options to shorten or lengthen the trip, go in different directions and see different things. Book the permit then you don't need to worry about it much until a few days before the trip when you will need to get serious about planning. By then hopefully your enthusiasm and energy for that will be at a high level:)

Lizz Lake entry would be a good one (out of Poplar) with lots of great options.
Sawbill as mentioned is one of those spots with many trip choices of all different flavors and challenges.
Little Indian Sioux river is another one with multiple choices and lengths to consider.

Take the plunge, at least halfway for now. Worry about the details later.
 
PeaceFrog
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03/12/2021 07:53AM  
sotaman - I encourage you to start planning now. It doesn't matter which lake, campground in the BW or just close by. Get cracking and plan. It's been 6 years since my last trip. (Way Too Long!!) I am actively planning my next trip and it isn't even until June 2022. It's just me and my best bud and I can't wait because I have been trying to get him up there for 20 years. Like others have said, the planning process helps with the funk. Best of luck to you
 
sotaman
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03/12/2021 09:12AM  
Thanks everyone!!! I may have articulated my lack of desire to plan. I normally love it but lately I have just made to many decisions. LOL AND I DONT WANT TO ANYMORE.. I am being childish I know. But in my dream world I wanna drive to the entry point jump in a canoe and paddle..
 
03/12/2021 06:18PM  
sota, given your lack of energy for planning coupled with your desire to get the northwoods experience, Perhaps a fairly remote SNF campground would fit the bill.

There are several nice campgrounds but none better than Crescent Lake campground. It is about a mile or two as the crow flies from the Baker Lake entry point to the BWCA, to give you an idea of the remoteness. Quite a few campsites but still very quiet. If you can get one of the several drive in sites on the lake you will be in heaven. If not still a nice place to be. They have several walk in sites that are all nice and right on the water and I would highly recommend them if they are available. Site 2 in particular is very nice with a large flat living area and a nice gravel landing to pull up the canoe(or boat)

Crescent Lake is about as pretty a lake as you could imagine, filled with points, bays and islands and totally undeveloped. Fishing can be very good, it is a good smallmouth and walleye lake and there a lot of muskies there as well that are very catchable. In fact keep a close eye on that stringer of walleye hanging off the boat, muskies have been known to attack it.

South Temperance Lake in the BWCA is known as one of the pretties BWCA lakes -Crescent reminds me a lot of that lake. But I wouldn't be exaggerating to say that Crescent is at least as nice if not nicer.

Because it is car camping, or walk in camping with a car nearby the planning piece is limited for now to reserving a site. It is truly one of my favorite spots in MN and I have been camping, backpacking and canoeing in Mn for 50 years. It may just scratch your itch for a place to hear the loons, gather firewood and appreciate the northwoods in its finest.

I want you to get a plan to get back to the northwoods sir. Sounds like you need it. I can relate to that. Crescent Lake is a gem.

 
03/13/2021 01:10PM  
sotaman: "Thanks everyone!!! I may have articulated my lack of desire to plan. I normally love it but lately I have just made to many decisions. LOL AND I DONT WANT TO ANYMORE.. I am being childish I know. But in my dream world I wanna drive to the entry point jump in a canoe and paddle.. "


Then I suggest driving to the Fenske Lake parking lot (on the Echo Trail) and go in there. No permits and it's just like a BW trip. Campsites with grates and latrines and great scenery. You can go in and out or do a loop. I've done it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Probably going to do it again this year.
 
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