BWCA Border Route Trail (Center) EP Boundary Waters Group Forum: On Foot
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07/18/2021 04:12PM  
Work and other commitments mean I have really just two full days. Original plan had been to enter Kek East, as I did the western half of the Kek last year with my daughter, but both it and BRT West were all taken. So I took BRT Center, which was available. I'm going to run over to Midwest and get Mackenzie #2 and maybe a BRT guidebook, but thought I'd check here - should I go east or west from the BRT center EP? In my perfect world I'd hike out 12-15 miles on day one then hike back to my car on day 2.
 
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07/18/2021 06:35PM  
Okay so I'm thinking Caribou Rock to BRT to South Lake to Moss Lake for a loop, and if I'm feeling good enough when I get to the junction of BRT and South Lake I may continue west with the stretch goal of seeing Bridal Falls, but won't commit to that if I'm doubtful.
 
09/08/2021 09:24PM  
Did ya do it Tom?
 
11/18/2021 10:01AM  
So apparently I forgot about BWCA.com or something. I did it! I ended up doing just the loop - Caribou Rock to BRT to South Lake to Moss Lake. It's a good, challenging hike.

The Caribou Rock trail is tough and will definitely slow anybody down, but it's a nice trail and it's in good shape - just lots of quick elevation change. The BRT itself is pretty easy in this section, and the campsite at Partridge Lake is really secluded and nice.

The South Lake trail feels almost like a state park trail, and it's so much wider and clearer than the Moss Lake trail that it's super easy to miss the turn. The Moss Lake trail isn't as difficult at the Caribou Rock trail, but it's narrow and mostly made up of ankle-turner rocks. I ruined a trekking pole in what likely would have done in my ankle if I hadn't had the pole; personally I think it would be unwise to do the Moss Lake trail with trail runners, as the ankle support proved crucial even when I wasn't ruining my trekking pole.

One could definitely do the whole loop in a long day, but breaking it into two days made for two fun and comfortable days with a secluded campsite in the middle. I highly recommend it!

 
BearBurrito
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11/19/2021 07:57AM  
Sounds awesome. Definitely on my to hike list.
 
TuscaroraBorealis
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11/20/2021 02:27PM  
TominMpls: "So apparently I forgot about BWCA.com or something. I did it! I ended up doing just the loop - Caribou Rock to BRT to South Lake to Moss Lake. It's a good, challenging hike.


The Caribou Rock trail is tough and will definitely slow anybody down, but it's a nice trail and it's in good shape - just lots of quick elevation change. The BRT itself is pretty easy in this section, and the campsite at Partridge Lake is really secluded and nice.


The South Lake trail feels almost like a state park trail, and it's so much wider and clearer than the Moss Lake trail that it's super easy to miss the turn. The Moss Lake trail isn't as difficult at the Caribou Rock trail, but it's narrow and mostly made up of ankle-turner rocks. I ruined a trekking pole in what likely would have done in my ankle if I hadn't had the pole; personally I think it would be unwise to do the Moss Lake trail with trail runners, as the ankle support proved crucial even when I wasn't ruining my trekking pole.


One could definitely do the whole loop in a long day, but breaking it into two days made for two fun and comfortable days with a secluded campsite in the middle. I highly recommend it!


"










Thanks for the mini-trip report. Appreciate that you took the time to report back. My Daughter & I were in that area last summer. We hiked from Patridge to Rose and back. Stunning beauty there. Interesting to hear about other nearby sections of the trail.
 
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