My friend and I are looking to take his young son on a quick overnight trip in mid October. They just moved to Minnesota, so I’m looking for something simple to introduce them to the BWCA. Ideally, it would be an easy paddle in and nice site for evening somewhere off the Gunflint Trail with a preference towards smaller lakes in case of wind.

I have a few ideas, but wanted to pose the question to the group, where would you go? Thanks for any ideas!

East Bearskin

Caribou Lake via Lizz/Swamp. Then you at least get to do a couple portages for a well-rounded experience. If you're feeling ambitions then it's just another short hop into Horseshoe where you may see a moose or two.

As a reference, a casual paddle from Poplar landing into Caribou took me exactly two hours with portages last week, so not super strenuous.

AlexanderSupertramp: "Caribou Lake via Lizz/Swamp. Then you at least get to do a couple portages for a well-rounded experience. If you're feeling ambitions then it's just another short hop into Horseshoe where you may see a moose or two.

As a reference, a casual paddle from Poplar landing into Caribou took me exactly two hours with portages last week, so not super strenuous. "

+1

Couple of other thoughts:

Cross Bay Entry (#50) to Ham Lake (You do not enter the BW so no permit needed unless you day trip past Ham Lake.)

Still off the North Shore but from Sawbill Trail:

Baker Lake entry (#39) to Kelly Lake.

Sawbill Lake entry (#38) to 1. Stay on Sawbill Lake or 2. Smoke Lake.

Lizz to Horseshoe would be my top pick for this situation.

I agree with mitchwall2 on Baker as my 2nd choice even though it’s Sawbill TrIl vs Gunflint.

Those are my top 2 places for small water and chances for seeing moose. seeing moose. Both are tough EPs for getting a permit during the permit season.

Is there a particular reason why you choose Grand Marais over Ely? If you are open to Ely, the Slim Lake entry is a perfect place to go in for a short 1-2 night trip. One easy 90-100 rod portage to a beautiful lake with 4 good campsites. You can be in camp in 30-45 minutes from entering, depending on which campsite you choose. Also offers decent fishing, good daytrip options including both paddling and hiking. If I was bringing in someone new for 1 or 2 nights, this is where I would bring them. Great spot.

lindylair: "Is there a particular reason why you choose Grand Marais over Ely?"

MPLS to Ely is about 245 miles.
MPLS to Seagull Lake on the GFT is about 317 miles.

Caribou is an easy enough destination for a short-daylight overnight. The site all the way on the south end is pretty awesome for a mid size to large group.

Seagull. Small beautiful waters off the public landing.
East Bearskin.
Crossbay/Ham.
Brule. If calm.
Sawbill.

Many many options.

+1 on the Lizz/Swamp EP to Caribou. From Caribou it's only another 30 minutes to Horseshoe which would be my choice. And then another 40 minutes or so to Gaskin. Lots of options. Be mindful of cold water. You'll last a very short time if you capsize. Wear PFD's when on the water, stay close to shore, keep a dry change of clothes handy in a waterproof bag, have a fire starting kit handy. Have fun and be safe.

TuscaroraBorealis: "East Bearskin"

This. Use the adjacent campround as a base to start from. (You can even rent a primitive cabin in the campgtound.)

Most of the time you can find shelter from the wind along one shore or the other. Portage into Alder (aim for the southern portage only!) if so inclined. Camp just short of the portage if not so inclined.

We had it almost entirely to ourselves at the beginning of the month. Pretty good chance to see a moose, based on the scat evidence.

Head into Horseshoe

Forgive me if you and they know this already, but I think area is less important than gear. Not sure where they moved from, but MN in October is colder than some places in January. The trick to getting them to want to come back is making sure they can enjoy it. If they're cold, they won't be happy.

When I bring newbies in the fall, I focus on sleeping pads, sleeping bags, warm coat and multiple sets of gloves and hats. Most people fail to understand that what is under you when you sleep is as important to what is on top.

I also tend to pack extra blankets, hats and gloves to share.

Two other tricks:
1. Try to convince them to only change clothes if they have to. The best place to dry clothes is on your body, by the fire.
2. Bring chicken broth powder. Nothing warms the soul like a salty cup of hot broth. Coffee and hot chocolate are great, but you can drink broth in higher quantities.

How young is the son? There is no shame in a resort or a motel room, especially if its cold at night. A VNO bunkhouse is very camp-y, a kid would love it.

Just want to thank everyone for their kind and thoughtful responses. We ended up going in at Sawbill and had a great weekend on Alton Lake. It was rainy the first day, but we had really nice weather after that and enjoyed a very rad campsite. My friend’s son, who’s 7, proclaimed at the end of the first day, totally unprompted, that he had a wonderful day. No doubt the first of many trips.