Hello everyone! My sister and I are planning a trip to the Boundary Waters for 10/4-10/8. We're from Kansas and neither of us have been there before. We're looking for some help trip planning.

A friend mentioned going in at Entry Point 64 East Bearskin Lake and going up to Rose Lake. Can we make it up there and back in four days? Is there an outfitter near that entry point that can provide us with gear? What are everyone's thoughts on going this time in October? I believe I read it will be self-permit since it is after 10/1.

Any thoughts and/or suggestions are welcome! Thank you!

Always need to make sure you are talking the right EP. #60 Bearskin to Rose is direct, quick and easy. #64 E Bearskin to Rose is a longer loop, a bit more challenging, but gorgeous.

Take a look at a good map. Notice all of the long, narrow lakes oriented east-west. They can get windy. Especially funneling out of the west through those cliff-lined lakes. Notice all of the portages that connect these lakes, mostly running north-south. They can look short and easy, but most of them climb up steep hills and just as quickly descend hills every bit as steep. They can be a bugger.

Yes, beginning October 1, you self-issue your permit at the entry point. Have a great trip.

Perhaps you could contact Bearskin Wilderness Outfitters with your questions about the route and gear. I haven't used them -- just found them on this site when I looked to see where EP 64 is.

Anytime you're paddling that late in the season, make sure you're prepared for colder weather and make safety a priority. Enjoy the wilderness, but be safe.

Last September, we had temps in the mid-20s on Clear Lake. This year's fall trip out of E Bearskin (coming up next week) looks like lows in a more comfortable mid-40s. Early October, tho? That can offer up several inches of snow in a given day. Never know.

Hope for more rain, I am! If the fire ban is not lifted there can be some long cold nights. Checking sunrise/set charts for those dates there is only a little over 11 hours of daylight and over 9 hours of darkness. The remaining 4 hours are levels of twilight. And towards the end of the season finding firewood can take a little longer, although this year that may be less a concern. Plan for less travel time and more time in camp.

Hi Mary -

This is your mother ... :)

As others have said, early October weather can be 70 and gorgeous. It can also be mist, rain (we sure hope!!!) wind, snow, and dangerous.

Get help from an outfitter and watch the weather. Many will be closing down paddling season so call now.

Stick close to shore if you're on big water; stick close to shore if you're on small water.

Days are short. The fire ban will require careful planning about warmth.

Wear your PFD and take a spot or InReach.

~ Beth

Be flexible and prepare, a cold front can ruin a trip.

Yup,

Shoulder seasons can be great trips but winter is pushing in Bring long underwear, hat and gloves. Also bring shorts and a t-shirt. :)

Tom

Mary O: "Hello everyone! My sister and I are planning a trip to the Boundary Waters for 10/4-10/8. We're from Kansas and neither of us have been there before. We're looking for some help trip planning.

A friend mentioned going in at Entry Point 64 East Bearskin Lake and going up to Rose Lake. Can we make it up there and back in four days? Is there an outfitter near that entry point that can provide us with gear? What are everyone's thoughts on going this time in October? I believe I read it will be self-permit since it is after 10/1.

Any thoughts and/or suggestions are welcome! Thank you!"

What is your camping/hiking/paddling experience? I would assume you have at least some experience to be planning this. Make sure whatever route you take is appropriate to your experience/comfort level. October can be awesome but also unforgiving. Your Outfitter can really help with this.

I will second what someone earlier said and look at EP60. Much more direct route and gives you the option to camp on the relatively smaller lake of Duncan or even Partridge if the weather is acting up. You have quick access to the Border Hiking trail if the wind makes paddling less than ideal.

Hungry Jack Outfitters is where I would go. Used them for a Memorial Weekend trip a few years back to this area and they were exceptional. Put us right on the best fishing I have experienced in the BWCA.

Other than that...make sure you follow "Mom's" (Jillpine) very sound advice.

We take groups of men up every year to that area the last week of September. Sometimes it is warm and pleasant, but more often then not it gets very cold. We have also had snow, sleet, and an entire week of rain.

If you don't mind me asking, for the first time in the BWCA, why are you doing October? Most people I know that do October have been tripping in the BWCA for many years and know things like: How to build super shelters in the event of severe cold temps; cold water canoe and gear recovery from a capsize; and dealing with increased animals activity. You are getting near the rut and moose activity is going to increase, as will bears. Do you know how to deal with them?

Maybe for a first time an August trip might be better for an "opener".

ockycamper: "You are getting near the rut and moose activity is going to increase, as will bears. Do you know how to deal with them?"

Being prepared is different than being alarmed. A lot of people paddle for years and never see moose or bear in the BW.

Depends on the time of year and how far north. We put in on Seagull the last week of September each year and we see moose every year. Three times they came into camp.

I think Mary posted and forgot about us.

Jackfish: "I think Mary posted and forgot about us."

Hey, she got mom's advice. What more does she need?

My two cents:
We hit Rose this summer, and had the pleasure to stay at Hungry Jack OUTFITTERS (not Lodge). They were fantastic, and I think would be really good at helping new folks orient. Breakfast delivered to your bunkhouse first thing in the morning was awesome. You can launch from their shore and paddle 15 minutes to a really short portage across the EP parking lot to put in.

The paddle to Rose is gorgeous and short, so if the weather goes south and you want to bail early, it is really easy to do so quickly. If you don't want to haul all your gear down and then back up the staircase portage, you could camp on Duncan and basecamp. Added bonus is how close you are to the Trail Center for a great meal before and after.

As for warnings, after our trip, I heard that there has been a decent amount of bear activity in the area, including Duncan and Rose. I don't know if that is still the case, but keeping a clean camp and hanging food really well would be smart. Not something to freak out about, but being prepared and keeping a clean camp is the way to go.

nctry: "

Jackfish: "I think Mary posted and forgot about us."

Hey, she got mom's advice. What more does she need?"

Good. I hope she listens.

Considering the death of two experienced paddlers on Oct 7, 2012 on Alton, and previous discussions about "how late is too late", I offered the advice with the hope Mary uses an abundance of caution and enjoys a wonderful trip.

Beth

Hi everyone! Thank you so much for all your advice and suggestions! We have not forgotten about you! We've been gathering information and trying to find the best route to take. We're using Rockwood, one of the only outfitters open this time of year and near our entry point. We're putting in at entry point 60 and heading up to Rose Lake. Hoping to hike some of the Border Route Trail as well. We do have experience in the outdoors and are familiar with keeping a clean camp and hanging food. We will also heed everyone's advice to be smart and safe (thanks mom! :)) I heard the fireman was lifted so that is great news! Thank you everyone for all your help, we really appreciate it!!

Rose is one of my favorites and makes a great first trip. Duncan and Rose can be quite busy, even in October, though some of the traffic is just day trippers from nearby lodges. Enjoy! Hope the weather is decent. There is nothing like a crisp fall day with bright blue skies during fall in the BWCA. But as folks have mentioned, also be prepared for cold, cold rain or even snow.

Mary O: "...Hoping to hike some of the Border Route Trail as well...."

A four-day canoe trip for a first trip is a very good amount of time. Skip the hiking plan and focus on your canoe trip. Do more portages if you need more "land time".

bobbernumber3: "

Mary O: "...Hoping to hike some of the Border Route Trail as well...."

A four-day canoe trip for a first trip is a very good amount of time. Skip the hiking plan and focus on your canoe trip. Do more portages if you need more "land time"."

I would agree with Bobber, but whatever trips your trigger. Be sure to stop back and let us know how your trip went and what you did.

If you own a small portable radio with weather band capabilities I highly recommend you bring it. Even an AM/FM pocket radio will tune in to local stations with scheduled weather reports. It's that time of year when an approaching front can impact significantly.
The Sangean DT-400W helps me stay attuned when I'm in the BWCA but anything lightweight and portable will do.

You are going to a beautiful area, and I hope you have a wonderful, memorable trip. Please write up a trip report once you return so that we can share in your adventure vicariously. :-) Take pictures!

Early October is a lovely time, or is a miserable time. Hard to predict. Personally, I didn't like the short days and long nights. If I were going to give advice: a very warm sleeping bag (warmer than a 32-degree bag), a SmartWool base layer for during the day and silk long johns reserved for sleeping. Extra wool socks and a wool hat. Paddling gloves (neoprene.) Really good rain gear.

If it turns out to be 75 degrees and sunny, you may not need any of this. But if it is 20-30 degrees, windy, sleety and snowy. . .you will be glad that you prepared for the cold and the wet. It is very difficult to get warmed up again once you are chilled to the bone.

Jillpine gave good advice. I am glad that you appear to have listened to her.

Have a great trip!

MaryO, if you're going to be in the area on the evening of Oct 2, Boonie, Inspector13, hopefully a few others, and I are meeting for dinner in Grand Marais. Boonie will have just completed a long and incredible-weather solo. I will be leaving Oct 3 for a solo. PM me if your group would like to meet up, or stay tuned for Boonie's post in the next couple of days. Pretty sure you'd get some great intel and baaad jokes (courtesy of Boonie).

I’m assuming you’re flying into Duluth or the area. Four days is a short trip for all the work you’ll do. Make sure you have compass and good maps. Weather radio, too.

I’ve never camped in fall, but I always pack a stocking cap in July! Lol... so be prepared.