Planning a 10-14 day trip with my son again....what does the hive mind think about this route?


It might be too short distance wise, but I feel like there would be time to relax along the way and explore. Anyone done the frost west to east? Does it matter?

I've been on many of the lakes on your trip over the past 30 years or so, but I have not been on the Louse or Frost Rivers. If you really enjoy portaging a lot and are doing an in-depth study of beaver dam types in the BWCA, I think you will have an awesome time.

Very challenging trip proposal. If I could even do such a trip any more, I would suggest you choose a time when there are few mosquitoes, e.g. late summer or early fall, as those small lake/swampy areas are prime habitat for them. Especially bothersome when you will be portaging 32 miles with a canoe over your head.

Tomster

I would certainly do that route clockwise so you're downstream on both rivers. Very nice areas and I think plenty to do in that amount of time if you're doing some exploring and a layover day here or there.

Sounds like a great trip and some secluded areas that aren't seen by many. You will likely see people on Malberg but the Louse is pretty quiet. Frost is usually quiet. North of Malberg isn't bad either.

It may seem short distance-wise, but the number of portages makes it fit for 10-14 days. For 10 days you are averaging 5 portages a day if you travel every day.

I think it is a beautiful, scenic route with lots of wonderful lakes and rivers, too. I would go for the 14 days if you can. It will allow a more relaxed pace.

At the end I would go out through Tuscarora Lake. Its easier, I think, then all the portages between Gillis and Round. The long Tuscarora- Missing Link portage is not that bad, just long. It is the last day, you've eaten all your food and you are strong from all those portages. It would be a breeze. Tuscarora is a gorgeous lake, fitting for a last night camp.

What, if any, parts of it are you familiar with? When are you planning to go?

I've done it all on various trips except for the Frost River, Louse River, and Ledge to Makwa section. I have loooked into those as well in the past and I think it would be a very nice route with enough time. There will be some challenges. Most advice was go downstream (E-W) on the Frost and Louse Rivers due to the plethora of beaver dams.

As sedges noted, there are a lot of short portages and so a lot of in/out of canoe. There are reportedly lots of additional beaver dam pullovers on the rivers and bushwhacks so it could be more time-consuming. Take as many days as possible, but there are some options to shorten (or lengthen).

I have done the Cap-Boulder-Adams-Beaver-River Lake section 2-3 times. I have been in and out of Cross Bay and Round Lake - Brant to Gillis, and Missing Link to Little Sag - as well as Cross bay to Frost and even down to Cherokee. I've also gone from Cross Bay to Tuscarora via Snipe, Copper, and Howl. It's been at least 4-5 years since I did any of those though. Email me if you want me to dig around for old notes or have any questions I might be able to help with. As sedges mentioned, it's not easier to go through Gillis to Brant than through Tuscarora/Missing Link. It just depends on what you want to see.

boonie: " What, if any, parts of it are you familiar with? When are you planning to go?

"

Boonie, I've been all around Cross Bay/snipe/howl/gillis/brandt area, but the rest of it is new territory for me.

We usually go in late July or early August, but thinking that with the small rivers may need to bump it up a little. Early July?

I really love small rivers and want to do the Frost and Louse before I get TOO dang old!

I have been over all of your route but the Malberg-Makwa via Boulder and Mesaba-Bug sections.

First, I would encourage you to read trip reports that cover the Frost and the Louse Rivers.

You will likely discover that Cyclone's advice to go clockwise on this route will save you some headaches. Why? 1. As already mentioned, it is a lot easier to go down beaver dams than up. While most dams are small, there are a couple in there that are quite large (4 ft+). 2. Route finding. Especially on the Louse River, the beavers change the portage situation frequently. There are also at least 2 portage ends on the Louse that are hidden in little side channels that can easily be missed going upstream.

Second, have a detour around the Frost River planned. The Frost is a very water level dependent route. Can it be done in low water - yes. Do you want to do it then - ? Trip reports of people poling their canoes through mudflats for several hundred yards are out there.

Third, I think some of your segments are overly ambitious:
1. Malberg to Dent. You will more likely pull up on Trail Lake, then go on to Mesaba. There are lots of beaver dams through this entire route.
2. Afton to Gordon. I think you will likely stop on Frost.
3. While I have not been through it, I think that your Adams to Makwa segment is likely ambitious as well.

Fourth, Portages to research:
1 . Do not underestimate the 300rd. Fente to Hub portage. The north end has a very steep .25 mile segment.
2. Please read trip reports about the Boulder to Ledge portage. There are reports of people wandering between Boulder, Cap, and Ledge out there. Also read about the little creek/swamp section. People have tried to wade it and found it much deeper/muddier than they thought. Almost all have had to reload the canoe and float everything across.
3. Check with an outfitter about the portages on the Louse River. Beavers change water levels and portage ends change all the time. Maps of the Louse are more of a suggestion, not necessarily the rule.
3a. Ask about the portage between Boze and Frond Lakes. We used the mapped portaged near the campsite, but supposedly there is a new one on the north side of the creek.
4. Gotter Lake has a new low water portage end to Flying Lake. (Less mud than the usual end but a longer portage.) Ask an outfitter if this is necessary.

Fifth, aesthetics. While I know distances travelled, campsite choices, etc are driven by time available, there are some places that I think deserve more attention.

1. Little Sag - This is an iconic lake with some of the most beautiful views in all of the BW. You should consider spending a night here. Peninsula site on the south shore is great.
2. Fishdance Pictographs - Unless you have visited before, you should not pass so closely to these gems without taking the side trip to visit them.
3. Mesaba Lake - Is one of my favorite lakes in the BW. LIttle visited with some nice scenery. The campsite on the northern narrows is worth a stay.
4. Stop on Frost Lake for the golden sand beaches and a good chance to see moose.

Other practicalities:
1. Campsite availability: I would not count on a campsite being available north of Long Island Lake. Likewise, I would not count on campsite availability east of Gillis Lake (if you go clockwise). I know that a nice short paddle your last day is desirable, but the new(est) reality in the BW is that those campsites are in high(est) demand.
The rest of your route should have reasonable campsite availability. It seems that you have researched the better sites on each lake. Remember that others have done the same. Have second and third choices on hand.

This is a great trip. I hope all works out for you.

That is a great route. 10-14 days should is definitely doable. Just be flexible and enjoy each area. As others have noted I would definitely suggest doing the route clockwise so you are going with the current. I would keep your expectations open as to where you are going to camp. The long Frost and Louse River sections will take their toll. We did the Tuscarora/Little Sag loop a few years ago and the Frost River last year. Both areas are fantastic.

One suggestion would be to exit Little Sag to the North and go through Virgin, West Fern, and Powell. They're really cool lakes. There is a nice campsite on West Fern. Some people prefer to exit via Tuscarora and take the one long portage versus the numerous short portages coming out of Brandt, but I have done both and enjoyed them equally.

I don't think that seems short at all. And it is a fabulous route thru much of my favorite places in the BWCA. There are a lot of challenging portages throughout that trip and beautiful, secluded areas that are worthy of spending extra time. But plan for the portages to take more time than you think. I have a trip report pending on our summer travels through much of your route Brant entry down to Little Sag, west thru Hoe/Fee/Vee. We also went south to north thru Adams and Boulder and back up into Hoe, etc. You have motivated me to get the report done over the holidays. Over the past couple summers, I think the only part of your route I haven't done is from the Louse up into Hub.

You could stay on Trail Lake (on the Louse). I did from Malberg to Trail in one day on my solo and it was plenty for me that day. Then stay on Mesaba before staging for the Frost River. I think you meant to circle Afton Lake but it looks like you circled a spot on the river. Be aware that the Afton Lake campsite is tiny and is the only option after Hub until you reach Bologna or Frost lake so have a plan B if it is occupied. Do not underestimate the time it takes to pull over more than a dozen beaver dams and wind around and around through the Frost R. It is a long day.