BWCA Sylvania rules? Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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bottomtothetap
distinguished member(1022)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/22/2021 10:28PM  
With the BWCA closure--and likely extension of it and, therefore, the cancellation of our permit, I am considering a quick re-set to Sylvania in Michigan. Looks like they have a few openings for our desired dates and I know it's not quite like the BWCA. Sounds like a "lighter" version canoe trip which would actually work out well for our group.

I am not very familiar with this wilderness so my question is, what rules apply to this park? On the research I'm doing they do refer to and urge following of the "rules" but don't really say what they are. I've only been able to find that they're posted at park entrances. It would help in planning to know what you will need to abide by before arriving. What about fires/fire wood? What fishing restrictions apply (special rules for this have been alluded to but again, not specified.)?

Who can help me with any links or specifics? Thanks!!
 
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08/23/2021 08:22AM  
I reserved a site for next week just in case BW extends closure. From what I’ve read fires are still permitted in pit at site. Same leave no trace rules as BW and hanging food or vaults are recommended. Fishing rules are a bit tricky. Barbless hooks only. I think Bass is catch and release only. I’m not sure but I think I read can only keep 1 walleye a day and there is a slot limit? You could call Sylvania outfitters. I rented canoe from them for this trip and they were very nice. They would be able to answer most/all of your questions.
08/23/2021 08:33AM  
I have been using Sylvania since the mid-1970’s. The USFS considers it a wilderness so their usual wilderness rules apply. Camping is allowed only at designated campsites which you reserve. Fires are only allowed in the fire rings at campsites. Firewood is what you pickup off the forest floor. By this time of the season you will probably have to get well away from your campsite to find much firewood. We usually take the canoe away from the campsite and find firewood plentiful. As moray noted fishing rules are more restrictive on the lakes fully within the wilderness, whereas the fishing rules on the lakes which are only partially within the wilderness are under the state fishing regulations. Beware that the fishing rules within the wilderness are strictly enforced to preserve the fish populations. My son-in-law is an avid bass fisherman and considers Sylvania a high quality bass fishery, particularly Deer Island Lake. Do not bring any cans or bottles into the wilderness. The area is regularly patrolled by USFS rangers and they will cite any violations with hefty fines. Be aware that Sylvania is heavily used which will be apparent when you see the campsites. I only go there now during the shoulder seasons. This year I had a nice three night trip in early May during mid-week and only encountered one other canoeist. Last fall I had a nice three night trip in early November and was surprised by the number of people who hiked past my campsite on Clark Lake doing the 7 mile hike around the lake. Sylvania is virgin forest and within the forest the large trees form a canopy which keeps undergrowth to a minimum so you have great sight lines in the forest. I really like to go spring and fall and try to align my trips with full moon - being in the forest during a full moon, particularly when the trees are without leaves is almost magical. As moray noted Sylvania Outfitters (Bob Zelinski) on Hwy 2 is a great resource. He will even drop off/pickup rental canoes at your entry point. There are two entry points - Clark Lake and Crooked Lake.
08/23/2021 08:42AM  
If you do a search for Sylvania Wilderness rules you can find Forest Service website with links to fishing and camping rules.
08/23/2021 08:54AM  
There is also a video explaining the rules on the Ottawa National Forest site.
bottomtothetap
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08/23/2021 09:35AM  
Found the video. Thanks, everyone. Gonna see if we can now do a pivot to Sylvania instead of BWCA.
mjmkjun
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08/23/2021 01:27PM  
Trolling motors allowed on Crooked but not Clark. Fishing regs. less restrictive on Crooked. Go by MN DNR fishing regulations when fishing on Crooked--but with special limits/size of catches. Limit: 1 pike over 30", 1 walleye over 20", etc.
Just know going in that's it's a far cry from BWCA. Campsites are paired and often close together sharing same landing. Example: Fox 1 & Fox 2, Pine 1 & Pine 2, etc. etc. Pit toilets not too private/or set deep in the woods at some sites cuz there's no undergrowth. Used to be wealthy mans' playground so some of the 'roads' transformed into perfect hiking paths. The old-forest timber was spared because of the wealthy, in this case. Bears and eagles.
If you're OK with that then enjoy!
Porcupine Mountains State Park with its dispersed camping is 1.5 hours to the slight northwest. When I checked earlier this morning the dispersed hike-in sites are booked-up for Labor Day holiday. Might be worth a stop at the visitor's center. Info gathered for a future trip, maybe?
If you spot an old man hunkered in a blue hammock at Fox 2, wave! :D
WindChill
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08/23/2021 02:33PM  
Ive also booked a Sylvania Wilderness site (9/19 -9/24) hoping that it will be a reasonable alternative.

The special fishing rules are listed in the state fishing regs brochure (pg 26 as I recall).

I found several videos on YouTube of people's trips so you can get an idea of landings and campsites. Might even find your specific site.
eagleriverwalleye
member (32)member
  
08/23/2021 03:18PM  
I've been to the BWCA 4x and Sylvania maybe 12x-14x or so, with the latter prevalence simply due to proximity to where I live. Sylvania is often characterized, correctly I think, as Boundary Waters-lite. The biggest water in Sylvania is Clark lake, which I would rate similar to something like Ogish in the BWCA--no place to screw around in big waves or wind, but hardly the beast that Basswood or Saganaga can be. The landings and portages are generally easy relative to the BWCA. I wouldn't get too concerned about the campsite pairing, as most are close to a football field apart from one another with foliage generally shielding the view. If someone's partying hard into the night you will hear them, otherwise it's never been a concern. You can get just as much solitude in Sylvania as in the BWCA, and my recent experience has been that Sylvania is better in this regard if you travel south of busy Loon lake into Big Bateau, Cub, and Deer Island. These lakes have no campsites and are much less visited, with excellent smallmouth fishing to be had there.
whyzata
senior member (51)senior membersenior member
  
08/23/2021 05:16PM  
Spent five days in Sylvania. Loved the hiking trails. Many rules on fishing. Unable to eat fish on my trip because of regulations, but the fishing was excellent. They recommend using barbless hooks. Portaging was easy but expect to see many groups at each one. Water great for swimming. No Canadian Shield type of rocks so camp kitchen proved difficult. Lot of bending. Campsites set back in woods about 50 yards because hiking trails go next to shore. Also, most campsites offer two sites next to each other so you will have "neighbors". Crooked lake allows motorboats so you might hear an engine now and then. Definitely not like our Boundary Waters but worth a visit.
martian
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08/23/2021 05:40PM  
How busy is the place? I just tried to do some booking and October when I was hoping to head north it's all first come first served.
mjmkjun
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08/23/2021 05:55PM  
martian: "How busy is the place? I just tried to do some booking and October when I was hoping to head north it's all first come first served. "

It was lean pickings when I booked yesterday but the dates immediately following were 'Not Yet Released'. I don't know what that means. It's supposed to be open for rerservations until Sept 30th.

helpful link
If that is no help call reservation dot gov. They may know why sites aren up for reserving.
08/23/2021 07:41PM  
martian: "How busy is the place? I just tried to do some booking and October when I was hoping to head north it's all first come first served. "


Sylvania is open as in the entrance station and Clark Lake beach pavilion are open and rangers are patrolling the area from May 15th thru September 30. Outside of those dates it is still open for use but no facilities are open and it is not likely the hand pumps for fresh water at the two entry points (Clark Lake and Crooked Lake) are still functional. The upside is there are no fees off season and likely no USFS personnel in the area. Occasionally you may encounter Friends of Sylvania volunteers doing backcountry maintenance work. Years ago you would find no one in the fall season after the fall foliage dropped in late September - same in the spring prior to May 15th. Now you can see a few others from ice out which used to be during the first week in May but is now occurring earlier and October and into November. Personally I have long preferred the shoulder seasons for cool temps, no bugs and most importantly few to no people (but please don’t tell anyone).

One issue I have noticed in the last few years is in the off season you self register at a kiosk at the entrance station picking any campsite which is open and then find someone is occupying the site without having self registered for it. Also this spring the drive in campground at Clark Lake had one loop open for off season use. This was never in case in previous years.
eagleriverwalleye
member (32)member
  
08/23/2021 07:44PM  
You will have no problems securing a campsite after Labor Day, and it's my understanding that as much as 20% of the campsites are left unreserved and are 1st come/1st served at the ranger station. Be sure to investigate, however, as the ranger station where the walk-up reservations were made was closed (covid?) when I was there a few weeks ago. It may be that you will have to contact them by phone beforehand and secure your site that way if the website campsites all look booked. In any event, you can't just paddle up to a site and claim it like we do in the BWCA, and must have a permit for that specific campsite for a set period of nights. I adore all of the lakes within Sylvania and have camped on most of them, but we always seem to gravitate to the sites on Loon so we have easy access to the less-travelled areas south of there. Just a splendid area.
08/23/2021 08:00PM  
My understanding is that this season as last year all reservations had to be done online thru recreation.gov since the entrance is not being staffed due to the pandemic. In more normal times 20 or 25% of campsites were kept open for drive up registration.
08/23/2021 08:41PM  
When I was looking for a site for next week there was not much left. The site I chose had 3 days available and the rest of the days were listed as unreleased. When I plugged in exit date it released the remaining days and let me book them.
bottomtothetap
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08/23/2021 09:08PM  
The rest of the group has not yet decided if they want to substitute Sylvania for BWCA yet but there was only one site left for the dates we wanted so I made a reservation-- actually NONE for dates we wanted so first night will be camped at Clark Lake campground and then two nights on Mountain, if we go. I got the confirmation from recreation.gov but is that the "permit"? If not, how do you get that if the issuing station is closed this year?

Sorry, again, I'm new to this park and I appreciate everyone's help as I learn the process!
martian
distinguished member (194)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/23/2021 09:32PM  
Thanks everyone, definitely learned something new today. Seems a hard pivot northeasterly on my way up in my future is possible. A completely new adventure sounds awesome!
eagleriverwalleye
member (32)member
  
08/24/2021 06:06AM  
Your printed reservation will be your permit if the ranger station remains closed.
08/24/2021 09:20AM  
Does anyone know if the showers at Clark lake are open? Is there any other shower options in the area? I have a long drive when I exit and would sure like not having to smell myself for 8 hours!
egrabi1
member (23)member
  
08/24/2021 09:53AM  
they are not open.
mjmkjun
distinguished member(2885)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/24/2021 10:02AM  
Moray, inquire with Sylvania Outfitters 1-906-358-4766. They might offer the showers. ??
bottomtothetap
distinguished member(1022)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/24/2021 10:56AM  
mjmkjun: "Moray, inquire with Sylvania Outfitters 1-906-358-4766. They might offer the showers. ??"


asked that yesterday and was told they do not
whyzata
senior member (51)senior membersenior member
  
08/24/2021 11:14AM  
Best NF campground I have ever seen. Layout is excellent. New roads. Showers are not open. Plan on visiting a Michigan SP to shower. Or hotel in Ironwood, etc. The trails and fishing are excellent. Backcountry CG's not the best. Very manageable wilderness. But if you like to travel large distances might be surprised at how much you can do in one day. A week is too long. Best site on Clark is Pine 2. Most CG's in wilderness are not west facing so if you want to catch a sunset plan on being on the water. Plan on hauling gear 50 yards from water to fire grate. Make sure to get a great map at the Kiosk upon entry. Enjoy your trip.



mjmkjun
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08/24/2021 04:22PM  
eagleriverwalleye: "Your printed reservation will be your permit if the ranger station remains closed."

Yep. However, there is one more form to fill because the ranger station is closed: It's the 2nd item on bulleted list below--which I copied & pasted here.
"SYLVANIA WILDERNESS BACKCOUNTY CAMPING
• All backcountry campers must have a campsite reservation prior to camping
between May 15 and September 30. All backcountry camping sites are by
RESERVATION ONLY. All reservations must be made through recreation.gov.
NO CAMPING FEES PAID ON SITE, you must make a reservation if you wish to
camp in the backcountry.
• You will need to fill out a backcountry permit on site with your reservation confirmation information before you proceed to your campsite, and keep the blue backcountry permit with you at all times in the backcountry.
• If you have arrived without a reservation, you can reserve a site by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visit Recreation.gov and search “Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping.”
• If you are unable to reserve a backcountry site upon arrival, you can stay in the Clark Lake Campground.
• All rules and regulations apply and all backcountry campers must camp at a designated site with proof of reservation.
• Rules and Regulations for Sylvania can be found on all the bulletin boards located at the entrance station, trailheads, canoe launches, as well as on the back of the blue backcountry permit.
mjmkjun
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08/24/2021 04:34PM  
moray: "Does anyone know if the showers at Clark lake are open? Is there any other shower options in the area? I have a long drive when I exit and would sure like not having to smell myself for 8 hours!
"

What is your exit date?
08/24/2021 04:51PM  
My partner and I exit on the 7th. He’s driving back to Indiana and I’m driving to California. I’m planning on making it to at least Sioux Falls that day so I can just shower at hotel there.
08/24/2021 04:56PM  
moray: "Does anyone know if the showers at Clark lake are open? Is there any other shower options in the area? I have a long drive when I exit and would sure like not having to smell myself for 8 hours!
"


Try contacting Ottawa NF hdgrs in Watersmeet re the Clark Lake pavilion being open for showers. Otherwise go to the truck stop on the NE corner of Hwys 45/2 and ask about a shower. The last time I used the showers there it was $5.00, but that may have been 6-8 years ago.
08/24/2021 05:35PM  
Thanks!
08/24/2021 07:20PM  
Does anyone know if there is cell phone reception. thinking about taking the grandkids up there but they have e-learning.
08/24/2021 10:47PM  
SteveF: "Does anyone know if there is cell phone reception. thinking about taking the grandkids up there but they have e-learning. "


I have found cell phone reception on the northern half of Clark Lake.
bottomtothetap
distinguished member(1022)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/24/2021 10:50PM  
Alas...rest of group was not interested in Sylvania so won't be going there either and cancelled THAT reservation right after Forest Service cancelled my BWCA one this afternoon. As I learned about Sylvania, became very interested to still go there someday--maybe even yet this season. Good to learn also about the truck stop for showers in Watersmeet. What is the name of this place?
08/25/2021 06:32AM  
bottomtothetap: "Alas...rest of group was not interested in Sylvania so won't be going there either and cancelled THAT reservation right after Forest Service cancelled my BWCA one this afternoon. As I learned about Sylvania, became very interested to still go there someday--maybe even yet this season. Good to learn also about the truck stop for showers in Watersmeet. What is the name of this place? "


Nordine’s (Hwys 45/2 Watersmeet, MI - 906-358-4717
08/25/2021 08:29AM  
If you're there for a week......what's the rules on parking....and where? (just starting to look into this option) Thanks
08/25/2021 09:19AM  
cowdoc: "If you're there for a week......what's the rules on parking....and where? (just starting to look into this option) Thanks"


If you have a backwoods camping permit parking is free at Clark and Crooked lakes. Day use parking is $5.00
08/25/2021 11:13AM  
moray: "
cowdoc: "If you're there for a week......what's the rules on parking....and where? (just starting to look into this option) Thanks"



If you have a backwoods camping permit parking is free at Clark and Crooked lakes. Day use parking is $5.00"



Thank you
whyzata
senior member (51)senior membersenior member
  
08/25/2021 12:11PM  
Correct. Very spotty. I also, had reception over by the trail that leads to East Bear. But needed to do a zoom meeting so when I was on Clark I got out and drove the the 3 miles to HWY 2.
08/25/2021 12:44PM  
cowdoc: "
moray: "
cowdoc: "If you're there for a week......what's the rules on parking....and where? (just starting to look into this option) Thanks"




If you have a backwoods camping permit parking is free at Clark and Crooked lakes. Day use parking is $5.00"




Thank you"


My last trip to Sylvania was a decade ago, but at the time I thought we had to purchase parking stickers which were basically the cost of 2 days parking? I no longer have the car that would have those stickers on it.....
mjmkjun
distinguished member(2885)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/25/2021 01:07PM  
I lucked out and booked one night at raccoon site on small High Lake & one at Fox 2. Always wanted to camp at High Lake. I read somewhere the water is crystal clear in High Lake to a good depth so bit of a challenge to fish because of it.
edit: Google Earth show parking lots fairly well.
08/25/2021 01:11PM  
mirth: "
cowdoc: "
moray: "
cowdoc: "If you're there for a week......what's the rules on parking....and where? (just starting to look into this option) Thanks"




If you have a backwoods camping permit parking is free at Clark and Crooked lakes. Day use parking is $5.00"




Thank you"



My last trip to Sylvania was a decade ago, but at the time I thought we had to purchase parking stickers which were basically the cost of 2 days parking? I no longer have the car that would have those stickers on it....."


Vehicle permits for parking and entry are daily or seasonal (the seasonal is good for one calendar year). Since I go outside the time frame Sylvania and facilities are “open” (May 15 - September 30), there are no fees or permits required. When I last bought the permit for vehicles a few years ago the daily was $5.00 and the seasonal was $20.00 so I always bought the seasonal because I was there for more than 4 days annually. Also I have the lifetime Senior Nat Parks & Fed Recreational Lands pass which I got as I recall at age 60. This allows you to pay half price on camping fees nation wide. When I got it the one cost was $10.00, now I think it is $80.00. I have used it all over the country, so definitely something to get when you hit your golden years.

08/25/2021 03:58PM  
mirth: "
cowdoc: "
moray: "
cowdoc: "If you're there for a week......what's the rules on parking....and where? (just starting to look into this option) Thanks"

If you have a backwoods camping permit parking is free at Clark and Crooked lakes. Day use parking is $5.00"

Thank you"

My last trip to Sylvania was a decade ago, but at the time I thought we had to purchase parking stickers which were basically the cost of 2 days parking? I no longer have the car that would have those stickers on it....."

This is from my reservation email from Recreation.gov

Registered Sylvania Backcountry Campers are not required to pay the day use fee solely for parking a vehicle at Clark Lake or Crooked Lake Boat Landing areas to access backcountry campsites. Use of the Clark Lake Day Use Area requires a daily $5.00 per vehicle fee, or a season pass for $30 per vehicle. The season pass covers Lake Ottawa Recreation Area, Sylvania Recreation Area, and Black River Harbor Recreation Area.
bottomtothetap
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09/15/2021 10:29PM  
This trip is back on! I leave on the 25th.

I know that this area is mostly catch and release and regarding bass is absolutely so but we will be spending time on Crooked Lake which has looser regulations and is also said to have a healthy population of panfish so looking to have a meal or two of fish. What is the recommended practice for disposing of fish remains at this park?
09/16/2021 07:56AM  
I have been there 3 times, and this last summer was the first time we decided to go after the bluegill (it was a really good choice). We brought the remains way way back into the woods well away from shorelines/trails/camps, which I think it what they prefer, but I can't find that printed anywhere and my previous visit where the ranger station was open was over 5 years ago so my memory is a bit cluttered. The woods there are mostly very open and easy to walk through, other than the boggy areas so its not hard to take them well back and in.

That being said, I would be happy to share some panfishing knowledge with you by email. Nothing about catching bluegills is rocket science of course, but hit me up if you're interested.
mjmkjun
distinguished member(2885)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
09/20/2021 05:32AM  
bottomtothetap: "This trip is back on! I leave on the 25th."

Temps dipping into 30s will make for some crisp mornings. Enjoy!
09/20/2021 04:14PM  
moray: "
mirth: "
cowdoc: "
moray: "
cowdoc: "If you're there for a week......what's the rules on parking....and where? (just starting to look into this option) Thanks"





If you have a backwoods camping permit parking is free at Clark and Crooked lakes. Day use parking is $5.00"






Thank you"


Nice, they must have changed it since then. It always bugged me that I had to buy a sticker when I already had backcountry fees paid. My past trips were all week long excursions, so my memory of the cost of two days' parking was obviously from the cost of the sticker being less than the aggregate daily cost.

Have a great trip guys!





My last trip to Sylvania was a decade ago, but at the time I thought we had to purchase parking stickers which were basically the cost of 2 days parking? I no longer have the car that would have those stickers on it....."



This is from my reservation email from Recreation.gov


Registered Sylvania Backcountry Campers are not required to pay the day use fee solely for parking a vehicle at Clark Lake or Crooked Lake Boat Landing areas to access backcountry campsites. Use of the Clark Lake Day Use Area requires a daily $5.00 per vehicle fee, or a season pass for $30 per vehicle. The season pass covers Lake Ottawa Recreation Area, Sylvania Recreation Area, and Black River Harbor Recreation Area."
bottomtothetap
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09/20/2021 11:05PM  
mjmkjun: "
bottomtothetap: "This trip is back on! I leave on the 25th."

Temps dipping into 30s will make for some crisp mornings. Enjoy! "


Just checked the latest forecast and I like it! We hit the water on Sunday the 26th and exit on Wed the 29th. It's now showing a mix of clouds and sun over those days with minimal chance of rain and light winds. Predicted temps are highs of mid 60's and lows of low-mid 40's. We'll have along extra layers for warmth and, of course, rain gear too. Between that to wear, a warm sleeping bag and a nice fire, we'll be good!

I remember a mid-late August trip along the Kawishiwi Triangle once where the temps dipped down one night to 27(!) which we were not prepared for and THAT was not comfortable. We're smarter now and we WILL enjoy.

mjmkjun
distinguished member(2885)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
09/21/2021 03:19PM  
Smartwool knit beanie + wool socks + smartwool bottom and you all will be golden. 1st week of September had folks wearing light jackets until mid-mornings. Especially when it rained that one day. I'm tempted to ask which site(s) you reserved but that's insignificant---unless it's Fox 2 which had zero privacy! ha
Hope you share something about your experience there.
bottomtothetap
distinguished member(1022)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
09/21/2021 07:24PM  
mjmkjun: "Smartwool knit beanie + wool socks + smartwool bottom and you all will be golden. 1st week of September had folks wearing light jackets until mid-mornings. Especially when it rained that one day. I'm tempted to ask which site(s) you reserved but that's insignificant---unless it's Fox 2 which had zero privacy! ha
Hope you share something about your experience there. "


Staying one night each at Chipmunk, Lynx-1 and Pine-2

Beanie for sleeping: check
Sleep-pants: check
Sleep-socks: check

The beanie is wool but the rest of my sleep wear is comfy cotton. It will never come outside the tent or it's dry bag so I'm not worried about it getting wet--unless some major disaster happens at which time we could paddle out to the car, which in this park will only be an hour or two away.
09/21/2021 09:31PM  
mjmkjun: "
bottomtothetap: "This trip is back on! I leave on the 25th."

Temps dipping into 30s will make for some crisp mornings. Enjoy! "


Now we’re getting to the time of year when I like to go into the north woods.
mjmkjun
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09/22/2021 07:49AM  
I 'bookmarked' Chipmouk to memory for a future visit. It's a lone site with no climb. When I paddled by to check out the site, the folks at Mink campsites across the bay were yelling to one of the group at Chipmunk, "Hey Steve! We need you over here for a while!" I cringed at the loudness. Bugs weren't bad when I was there. I counted 2 skeeters that landed on me.
Smartwool mentioned because standard wool itches me crazy if I don't underlayer.
Wish I could venture out during shoulder seasons like some. Poor/slowed circulation messes with staying reasonably comfortable in those months. I'd love experience the sound and sight of snowfall at a campsite. (not so much the wind-driven ones)
WindChill
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09/28/2021 09:23AM  
A pseudo trip report -
Two of us were in Sylvania 9/19 - 9/24. Spent the week at Eagle 1 on Loon Lake.

The site sits up the hill about 50 yards into the woods. It is very sheltered but no bugs. Most of the sites are in pairs. Eagle 2 was about 100 yards through the woods. We could not see our neighbors from our site and only heard them once or twice. I saw a message somewhere that sites share a latrine - ours did not.

Our site was well worn - the ground at the tent pad and kitchen area are bare and hard packed. There is spot for one 4-person tent and possibly a 2-person.

Fire rings are more like state park rings but are buried flush in the ground. Be prepared to sit on the ground for cooking on the fire. Our site had a small log/rock kitchen area like we see in the BW.

We paddled some of the smaller lakes south of Loon. Portages are less obvious than BWCAW - a couple were pretty tough to spot as you approach. Once on the trail they are obvious and well maintained.

Fishing was fun but not productive - got a few bass but nothing else.

The welcome station was open when we arrived mid afternoon on Sunday. The ranger walked us through things and got our permit filled out. Take the map brochure they offer - it has a bit more / different detail than the one on the website.

Showers were not open this season. The ranger said "there's a nice lake out there :-)". I did take a dip in the lake - it was COLD! Also left some wipes in the car for a "sponge bath" at the outhouse when we got back to the parking lot.

Overall a really nice alternative to the BW.
09/28/2021 07:25PM  
Nice concise report. Your experience was very typical. While Sylvania is a nice area it is heavily used and the campsites reflect that. Still, I enjoy going there but only do so early spring and later in the fall. Hope you experienced the fall foliage turn, in the woods of Sylvania it can be very beautiful on a sunny day when the maples are turning.
bottomtothetap
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09/30/2021 11:21PM  
Got home last night from this first-for-me trip to Sylvania--it was a resounding success! This park was beautiful. No, it's not the BWCA but instead has it's own vibe and offered just as much, if different, fun. The short portages and small lakes with campsites that had just enough wilderness feel made Sylvania a very enjoyable BWCA alternative. The fall colors were coming out and the forest floor was starting to accumulate downed leaves. The weather didn't hurt either as it was about as perfect as could be. I found the reserved campsite system to be appealing as it removed the find-a-campsite pressure I've experienced in the BWCA and while the reserve-ahead method removed some of the BWCA "freedom", I felt it was a worthwhile trade-off. I thought Clark Lake was particularly beautiful and made for a great way to exit and enter this park.

A few minor dislikes:

1. The fire grates were harder to use than the BWCA with the floor of the Sylvania pits sometimes a foot below grade. This made for a lot of reaching way down and getting back up to tend the fire--something my old knees complained about regularly throughout the trip

2. The set-back from the water of the campsites makes for more hauling of gear back and forth from the landing and reduces views of the lake.

3. Crooked Lake, kind of the centerpiece body of water for this wilderness, is VERY murky with some areas of the lake so green with algae and weeds that the water is almost opaque. If you are to camp on this lake, don't plan to get your water from here even with a good filter as I think it would plug up pretty quickly. We went to High Lake (VERY clear) to get our water the night we camped on Crooked.

4. Being not real skilled fisherman, the artificial only and barbless hook policy reduced our chances of fishing success and we only caught a few tiny ones. I'd have to learn how to do it better if planning on a catching more fish.

Over all, I'm very happy that we chose a trip to Sylvania as a replacement alternative to our cancelled BWCA trip. I originally named this thread "Sylvania rules?" looking for some guidance on do's and don'ts but I'm tempted to change it to "Sylvania Rules!" because it was awesome and I look forward to going to this park again some day.
mjmkjun
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10/02/2021 01:36PM  
Taking your drinking and cooking water from High Lake is clever thinking, Bottomtothetap! I agree regarding treks up and down the hills. Not so noteworthy in younger years but it becomes a bear in elder ones.
10/02/2021 08:30PM  
When I camp on Crooked Lake, which I like, I always bring a collapsible water jug with a couple of gallons of fresh water used for drinking or cooking. Only use lake water for dish/hand washing after heating. Since I am base camping the extra weight is not an issue. All other Sylvania lakes seem to have water that can easily be filtered.
10/04/2021 08:41AM  
Sorry to hear the fishing didn't work out for you, but glad that you enjoyed the trip!
bottomtothetap
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10/04/2021 09:40AM  
naturboy12: "Sorry to hear the fishing didn't work out for you, but glad that you enjoyed the trip!
"


Cubbie Mini-mite lures tipped with a tiny piece of scented Gulp worm sure got the attention of the bluegills on Glimmerglass (and on Liluis too). LOTS and lots of nibbles but we missed most of them. I think that's where the lack of skill with barbless hooks comes into play. Actually did boat one hand-size keeper bluegill and another that was quite a nice size--about 7-8"--but a few very small fish was it besides that. We let the 2 eaters go and ate our freeze-dried food instead.
 
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