This will be our first BWCA trip ever. We are putting on May 20 out of Sawbill. I have been hearing about late ice and to expect high/fast waters. This all makes me very nervous. Does anyone have experience with this area in late May (Cherokee creek)?
Are there any sites/tools where I can check ice/snow/water levels? Is it going to be too cold to be enjoyable? It's a very long drive for us and we want to make it the best experience possible and all of this talk of flooded portages and possible snow while there is very discouraging.

MN Ice Out Dates

Sawbill outfitters ice updates

2 week forecast looks good for melting a lot of snow and ice.

With those concerns, what prompted you to plan a trip in May?

Jackfish: "With those concerns, what prompted you to plan a trip in May?"

It is the only time we can make the trip because of our work schedules. I suppose we were just ignorant to the fact that ice/snow could still be around that late in the year.

I would check with the folks at Sawbill Outfitters. They are right there on the lake, and have been there for three generations. If there is anyone who can address your concerns, it would be them.

Don't sweat it. Ice will be gone before then.

Hi A2,

First-trip jitters can happen during any time of the paddling season. I would be surprised if ice-out hasn't occurred before your trip. That said, I don't have any insights into the potential weather but maybe this will help...

Plan your trip as you want it to go and then have a backup plan (or two) that you can enjoy. As a backup, you might consider a base camp on Sawbill or a nearby lake with day trips to a variety of other options as conditions may allow. A basecamp would allow you to bring in additional gear and clothing to stay warmer.

You might prefer staying at a local campground or bunkhouse where you could be prepared for just about anything. Doing day trips to different entry points based on the conditions would give you some cool experiences.

You'll certainly know much more about the ice and weather at that time. Hopefully, it works out in your favor and ability to change plans and adapt expectations.

Anyway, I hope you make the trip and that you enjoy it. :)

Ice will be out. Cherokee Creek will be higher than summertime levels, but should still be manegable.

Regardless of the year, trips in May, you need to plan for cold weather. On May trips, I typically bring wool socks, stocking cap, some gloves and a few layers for warmth. You don't always need it, but it can still get very cold that time of year. I've seen snow flurries more than once on memorial weekend. I've also been in shorts and t-shirt getting a sunburn on memorial weekend. You just need to plan for both possabilities.

Speaking of something that will make the trip unenjoyable - you need a good sleeping bag for that time of year. May and October trips have me bringing my zero degree bag. If it's warmer, I just unzip it.

There are a lot of other options from that entry point if you don't want to make it all the way to Cherokee. One thing to note is that if you shoot for Cherokee that there are NO campsites once you leave Sawbill until you get on Cherokee. Once you leave Sawbill there is only one tough portage, the others are easy. The lakes between Sawbill and Cherokee are a quick paddle. Cherokee Creek normally has one semi tricky beaver dam to go across. Ask the folks at Sawbill Outfitters how to cross it, they will have reports from previous paddlers. The water will be cold. Always wear your PFD when paddling in cold water. Many of us wear them 100% of the time no matter what the water temp. The great folks at Sawbill Outfitters can give you a lot of good advice.

The historical average temps for the week beginning the 20th of May are 68/44 hi/lo (source: weather.com) and the records are 92/29. This info is for Ely, MN, which is more like the inland weather at Sawbill vs. the lake effect weather in Tofte/Grand Marais. You will most likely get something around the average although it is highly variable and no one can predict it very far ahead. Prepare for the extreme and enjoy the average. Adjust appropriately at entry time. Sawbill Outfitters will have the best prediction now and the most current info on conditions at the time. Enjoy your trip.

I doubt that ice out will be a problem. Last year there were historically high water levels in late May and we could possibly see that again this year. Lot of snow up there, think it depends on how much rain we get on top of that. Watch conditions closely and adapt as needed. there are always options.

Last year normally placid streams were raging waterways and many portages and campsites were underwater. Hopefully not the conditions we see this year. I think that a week to ten days prior to your trip you will have a much better idea of what you are up against - and it may be no big deal at all.

We changed our EP last year about 10 days before entry due to reports of challenging conditions but as it turns out we probably didn't need to. Several parties went through there at the same time with no problem. Once the melt is over and the spring rains subside I think water levels drop pretty rapidly.

You could always safely basecamp on the north end of Sawbill and take daytrips from there until conditions improve. Nothing wrong with that, there are advantages to that type of trip too. Good Luck, hope it all works out.

It’ll work out. I’m leaving Sawbill on 5/21 and I’m not worried, so of course it will be all good!

Had a similar entry date last year on Saganaga and I was way more worried about ice out then (first timer). Some rain and sun for a bit and things will change fast!

sns: "Don't sweat it. Ice will be gone before then."

+1

This week should help, in Ely 50's and 60's with rain and sunshine.

This week is looking very positive for a few warm days to start the thaw but without creating the chaos we had last May with a late, sudden warm period with a lot of rain.

Sawbill outfitters is currently doing some routine posts about their ice thickness checks via their Instagram account. That's probably your best reference for current conditions at your EP.

Other that there are some webcams in Ely that you can view, along with PackSack Outfitters showing Fall Lake and Customcabinrentals.com has one up high overlooking Moose Lake.

USGS also tracks certain areas for water levels/volume/etc. I believe there are 3 around Ely with one at the Dam, one near Basswood, and another on the Kawishiwi River: https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/?m=real&r=mn

Just stay current on the chatter via here or on the BWCA Facebook Group until your trip. Last year we had no issues going in at end of May, but we altered our route after reading about difficulties and a rescue occurring on part of the route we originally intended. And FWIW, the coldest day/night I've had up there was in the middle of July.

WHendrix: "I would check with the folks at Sawbill Outfitters. They are right there on the lake, and have been there for three generations. If there is anyone who can address your concerns, it would be them."

Best comment so far!

YetiJedi: "Hi A2,


First-trip jitters can happen during any time of the paddling season. I would be surprised if ice-out hasn't occurred before your trip. That said, I don't have any insights into the potential weather but maybe this will help...


Plan your trip as you want it to go and then have a backup plan (or two) that you can enjoy. As a backup, you might consider a base camp on Sawbill or a nearby lake with day trips to a variety of other options as conditions may allow. A basecamp would allow you to bring in additional gear and clothing to stay warmer.


You might prefer staying at a local campground or bunkhouse where you could be prepared for just about anything. Doing day trips to different entry points based on the conditions would give you some cool experiences.


You'll certainly know much more about the ice and weather at that time. Hopefully, it works out in your favor and ability to change plans and adapt expectations.


Anyway, I hope you make the trip and that you enjoy it. :)"

Big +1.

A Plan B trip can be just as great as Plan A. The key is to plan for flexibility and enjoy it all. I love May for all its newness, great firewood selection, fewer people (usually), great sight lines before everything is fully leafed out, good fishing and good sleeping. Have fun.

The anxiety about ice-out is common. We usually do our first trip in May, the week before Memorial Day. I frequently worry about the ice being out, and it always is! It sometimes is a close call, but I think you'll be fine.

I completely agree with the others who have suggested a plan B "just in case." The only time ice has been an issue with us was when we decided to put in the first week of May as part of a portage clearing crew. The portage clearing was canceled because the ice was still on the lakes. We went up anyways. We got a permit for Baker Lake, put in, and made it halfway up Peterson Lake before the ice stopped us. Nevertheless, it was really cool paddling up to the ice sheet covering the north half of the lake. Probably kind of dangerous also.

Anyway, we ended up camping at the Kawishiwi Lake campground, and we were the only ones there (this was before it became the circus it is now.) The ice was still on the lake. We watched the ice go out of Kawishiwi Lake in the next day or two, and spent our time day tripping in the area.

Mike

No worries about your entry date! Mr sun will come thru! Marc

Eh I wouldn't worry you probably are timing it great for fishing! If you were going in on opener you could maybe be a little worried but even then probably would be fine.

I'm hoping to go further up the Gunflint and go in the Granite river, but I may have to ship to the northwest part of the park where it is more likely that ice will be gone in early May. We'll see....