We've started planning our 2024 BW 6-day adventure and are considering this entry point since we alternate east side/west side and it's east side's turn. We've entered out of Sawbill, Kawishiwi and Baker in past years, so want to try Brule EP. Just to preemptively head off Gunflint EP suggestions, two of my sons drive from Utah and Colorado, so we don't want to lose days paddling in the BW to driving.

Is there a loop that we could do that wouldn't involve paddling every day? We prefer at least one two-night stay at a campsite.

Also, since there will probably be seven of us with five of us in hammocks, are there burn areas we should avoid or campsites that might work for us?

Thanks so much for your help.

A couple of options:

Since you didn't want to travel every day I am trying to keep it to 4 travel days.

Option 1 - Lollipop North of Brule;
Day 1 Brule to Winchell.
Day 2 Winchell to Horseshoe
Day 3 - Horseshoe to Henson
Day 4 -Henson to Brule

Spend a day on Winchell climbing to the top of the cliffs and finding the waterfall on the south shore. Be on the lookout for moose on Horseshoe Lake.
The portages here will not be terribly long, but can go up and down in a short span.

Option 2 - Loop northwest of Brule
Day 1 - Brule to Winchell
Day 2 Winchell to Long Island
Day 3 - Long Island to North/South Temperance
Day 4 Out through Brule

See Winchell above. Very interesting portages from Kiskadinna to Long Island Lake. If I had the time I would take a detour to Frost Lake (Golden sand beaches and better than average chance to see moose.) The portage from Cherokee to Sitka is a bear. Not long but never flat. North Temperance Lake has the back side of the hills you see on Cherokee and South Temperance is an iconic, island studded beauty of a lake.

Option 3
Day 1 - Brule to Jack Lake (turn south at South Temperance Lake.)
Day 2 - Jack Lake to Sawbill (Alton or Kelso),
Day 3 - Sawbill to Cherokee Lake
Day 4 Cherokee to Brule.

This route includes the beautiful Temperance River valley. Long narrow lakes and wonderful hills on either side. More like paddling river in most places. It will get busy as you approach Baker Lake and Sawbill Lake. Burnt Lake has several nice campsites on it. Sawbill, Alton, and Kelso will be busy. Find a campsite early. Sawbill to Cherokee will be a long day. See the Cherokee to Sitka portage info above.

A few notes:

I tend to plan longish travel days. intermediate stops are available on all these routes, but would call for another short travel day to "make up" the distance.

There are enough campsite reviews available through the maps section of this website that you should be able to target a few nice sites on each lake.

Brule is prone to wind difficulties. Paddling early is a must.

I don't know which route you use to arrive at Brule, but if you are using Hwy 61 (NorthShore)and up the Sawbill Trail, you could instead be at Grand Marais in about 40 minutes and another 30-45 will bring to the middle of the trail (Trail Center Cafe and Redrock Outfitters). Several nice 4-6 travel day loops can be had from entries 47 and 49. Let us know if you would like to explore any of these.

Brule is a big lake that can get windy.

Cherokee, Long Island, Winchell would all make fine destinations for a 6-day loop. The area south of Brule (Juno/Vern/Pipe) also makes for a great little loop, especially if it's windy.

There are only 2 or 3 campsites within a couple days paddle of Brule that have been impacted by 21st century fires. 5 hammocks is a lot for any site, please be extra mindful of trees that aren't normally impacted by smaller groups and be sure to use proper tree straps to minimize tree damage. There are some beautiful old cedar trees in this area, if someone in your group is going to trash a tree please do it to a spruce or a balsam, not a white cedar.

We did this loop in two nights - 3 days. So adding layover days in should be easy.

Day 1 - Brule - through cam, gasket, cherokee and gordon. Night 1 on Long Island.
Day 2 - Long Island to winchell
Day 3 - Winchell to Brule EP.

Day 1 was long for sure. Stopping at Cherokee would be reasonable. Its a beautiful lake and would make for a nice layover day or two, then up to maybe davis, via Long Island, layover and then over to Winchell and down.

Plan an early morning start on Brule to minimize the chances of being windbound. Soon as it is light enough to navigate.

Winchell is a good first night and Long Island is another days travel. I would suggest Long Island as your lay-over. It is a great lake for exploring.

Cherokee is an easy hop for your 4th night. Fifth night could depend on wind. If it is windy you would want to stop on one of the Temperance Lakes and not be paddling around Brule on a windy afternoon to find a campsite.

Again, get an early start on your last day to traverse Brule.

You will be crossing the Laurentian Divide twice and the portages are steep both times. The big climbs will be Omega-Kiskadina(short, but steep), Kiskadina- Muskeg(long and steep). Then back over the divide between Cherokee and Sitka(long and steep).

I was 66 when I did these solo, double portaging. Taking my time on the rough portages allowed me to actually enjoy them!

This is a beautiful loop. Scenic with old and recovering forest, big cliffs and outcrops. Many fine campsites. Not a fisherman, so you need info from others on that aspect.

Thank you all so much for giving us a running start to planning Year 12's trip. Lots of great ideas and information for us to consider and use.
We have done the Cherokee-Sitka portage both ways and it's a portage to be reckoned with, but I think we found its match last year on the so-called portage from Slim Lake to Fat Lake. The clear water and only campsite on the lake were worth it.