New Trip Report posted by Ausable

Trip Name: 2021 BWCA Wildfires Force a Sylvania Trip.

Entry Point: Other

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Enjoyed your trip report and recognized many of the locations you described. Great photos in your report.

I made my first trip there in 1975 and since 1980 have made at least one trip each year. Due to the heavy use the area receives during the annual 5/15 - 9/30 Sylvania season, I now go only in spring as soon as the ice goes out and in the fall after Sylvania “closes” for the season. Fewer to no other people, no bugs, and no reservations or fees.

You were very ambitious to move your campsites so much but probably had no choice due to the heavy use of the area. In more normal times almost everyone base camps.

Deerfoot, you are correct that we had no choice concerning how often we moved campsites. Given that we literally made reservations at the last minute, we could find sites that were only open for 1-2 days each. On the other hand, I am a restless sort who has to travel and see new territory or I get bored. Despite the lack of open reservations, it did not seem really crowded except around the Fox area of Crooked and on Mountain. Even the SE section of Clark was not very busy the two days we traveled there.

Thanks for the report, Ausable! I have a similar story from this summer in that our BWCA trip got cancelled due to wildfires last minute--actually day before we were to leave home so fortunately, we had not left yet. I had maybe heard of Sylvania but I was not familiar with it. Was able to quickly organize a trip to Sylvania and while not the BWCA, it was really fun! Too bad you had that much rain. Part of what made our trip so good was about the best weather I've experienced for the whole trip that I've ever had on any canoe trip I've done (and there have been dozens). While your fishing does not sound quite as good as you might be used to, it was better than ours. We boated a few bluegills--mostly tiny ones--and that was about it. I do hope to go back to Sylvania again soon!

We really enjoyed ourselves despite the rain. We were prepared: I always make sure that my rain jacket and pants and the tarp are in good shape many days in advance of a trip. I always assume that I will have to endure one or more heavy rains. I, too, hope to get back to Sylvania. I like the open nature of the woods, the sandy landings, and the relatively flat, unobstructed portages. I do have to figure out the fishing, however!