I usually prefer smaller bodies of water on my BWCA trips as I can then eliminate possible high winds and potentially bad waves from the equation when making trip plans. Therefore, in my dozens of previous trips I had never really considered Brule as an entry point.

However, those smaller, more intimate lakes and streams often mean more and longer portages also and as I near senior-citizen status (already there by some measures!) my body is starting to tell me those tough-portaging days should be put in my rearview mirror.

This has indeed made me consider Brule for it's easy entry and short-portage options to other lakes. I've heard from many about Brule's overall beauty and I'd also be interested in just trying something new and different.

However, I'm still hesitant due to the potential wind and waves. Our group would be four grown men who all have at least some BWCA experience and I've paddled in some pretty bouncy waves before--a trip down Moose one time had us straight into about a 30 MPH wind--and we've had to dig in for all we were worth and have taken on plenty of water. But I have not found those times to be "fun" and fun is the whole reason we go on these trips. I never have capsized and certainly hope to keep that as something I never do experience.

I'd have three plans in mind:
A. My most desired plan is to go west across Brule to South Temperance, camp two nights, return towards Brule entry, camp one more night, exit Brule the next morning. This seems the most risky for wind. We'd get on the water going west about 7:30-8:00AM so the breeze wouldn't likely be up full yet and with prevailing winds from the west and south we'd be progressing away from the fetch and maybe get some protection from Brule's south shore if we stayed close to it. For the return east would it help to have a tail wind or again get protection from the south shore?

B. If expected winds discourage plan A then plan B would be to head east to the island-protected side right away and spend a couple of nights on that end of the lake or maybe a couple nights on Vernon before making our way back towards the put-in/take-out for one more night before exiting.

C. Worst case scenario would be if the weather and forecast just doesn't make spending much time on Brule appealing at all. In that case we'd still use our Brule entry permit but go over to Juno and then head SE down to Vern, Pipe or Homer for three nights before exiting at Homer and walking back to the Brule entry parking lot to retrieve our vehicle.

Am I overthinking all of this?

I've read some of the trip reports--which often mention the wind--but would still love to hear from those experienced on Brule (or those other nearby lakes) and have you offer your thoughts or suggestions.

Thanks!

The Cones are another option.....the campsite on S Cone is very nice. You can also loop up thru Cliff and back down if your group wants to see more.

The only time I have ever actually been scared on the water was on Brule, heading with the wind in what is usually a rock solid stable Alumacraft. Not to be trifled with.

Thanks for the suggestion on the cone lakes. I did look at that but thought to get to South Cone we are still going broadside to a lot of the lake from which end the prevailing winds come. To do that loop we are now again stacking up the portages with another mile and one-half of portaging--or another 4.5 miles, if double tripping (which we do).

Interesting to hear about you and your Alumacraft. I will be in a 17' Alumacraft QTCL. It's been with me on over two dozen BWCA trips and has always been very stable for me as well.

I think your combination has you covered for most scenarios. While I have never been on the far east side of Brule, I have paddled most of the rest. As long as you are open to making last minute changes to plan B or C based on the weather, I say go for it. I think Brule is one of the most beautiful lakes in the BW- the surrounding topography, variety of islands, and clearer water are a stunning combination. As long as you respect the winds, it's a remarkable area to explore.

One thing to keep in mind if you pursue option A- South Temperance can fill up fast, there aren't a lot of sites there and its a popular destination. Be prepared to have to push to North Temperance or even back to a site on Brule.

It can be windy for sure. I've had a couple of my most difficult paddles across that lake either headed to Winchell or Cherokee.

Vernon is a nice lake and would be a great option though if the wind has you worried.

bottom,
I have been to Brule a few times including a May trip two years ago. Got a campsite close to the entry and didn't travel a lot. But we did take one long daytrip and were lucky to have very manageable winds all day. But I have been there when that is not the case too. It's a nice lake but in my opinion by BWCA standards it really is not that great, there are many better options. Scenery is ok, fishing is ok, but known to be hit or miss. Just not outstanding in any real way.

So I guess my point is that there are several great entry points that allow for a trip that has none to minimal portaging, good scenery, good fishing, good daytrip options and less worry about wind. I am approaching 68 and can't do the kind of trips I used to do but I take comfort in the entry points and routes that still provide a great BWCA experience with much less physical challenge. I am not going to list them now but if you are interested I, and likely others will chime in with those types of trip options. Brule might be fine but it is far from the only good choice.

lindylair: "bottom,
I have been to Brule a few times including a May trip two years ago. Got a campsite close to the entry and didn't travel a lot. But we did take one long daytrip and were lucky to have very manageable winds all day. But I have been there when that is not the case too. It's a nice lake but in my opinion by BWCA standards it really is not that great, there are many better options. Scenery is ok, fishing is ok, but known to be hit or miss. Just not outstanding in any real way.


So I guess my point is that there are several great entry points that allow for a trip that has none to minimal portaging, good scenery, good fishing, good daytrip options and less worry about wind. I am approaching 68 and can't do the kind of trips I used to do but I take comfort in the entry points and routes that still provide a great BWCA experience with much less physical challenge. I am not going to list them now but if you are interested I, and likely others will chime in with those types of trip options. Brule might be fine but it is far from the only good choice. "

I have done a number of zero-portage and minimal portage entries and stayed on Sawbill, the number Chain, Clearwater off of the Gunflint Trail, Moose and up that chain into Birch and Ensign, Snowbank (also big water) into Disapointment, East Bearskin to Alder, along with a few others and have enjoyed them. Brule as being something different and new to me is part of what gave that appeal.

On at least two occasions entering Brule, from the north, later in the day have elected to just wait out the wind and go VERY early, crack of dawn, the next morning. Instead of battling the wind, and risking a dumping, have been rewarded with an easy paddle on glass like waters. If the wind is really up not water you want to mess with, legit white caps. If you take the delay definitely would go that route(s),

Brule is a wonderful lake. It is very pretty and it is big. I have camped on Brule on over a dozen trips in May, June and July. It can get windy with big waves but not that often and not much different than other big lakes. when its windy stay in camp. We have had very good fishing for walleye and smallmouth bass. Try trolling crankbaits close to shore after sunset. Do not let the wind scare you. Good luck

...yes Brule is a wonderful lake: challenging and scenic with the hills to the west inviting one to explore beyond the fetch. Note that most camps protect you from the wind, so even if windbound one can sneak out and fish. Sometimes in high winds/waves you can break the route into sections, catch the eddies behind islands, hide in the bays behind the peninsulas. Sometimes, one has to wait out the wind on shore: listening to the trees rock, waves slap, and fish those shorelines where the bait fish get bounced towards the rocks.

... I did the Brule to South Temperance trip last year the 3rd wek of May. Like you I have done numerous trips and mentally believe I can handle any portage, however my senoir body is not in sunc with my brain. We had back up plans as well, similar to yours. We got onto Brule about 10am with a decent wind pushing us to South Temperance. Enjoyed a super trip, did some day trips to toher lakes and rivers.... caught some fish. The back however was an ordeal. Wind was against us and it was a hot hot sunny day. It was a tough paddle back to the EP, and as you said, it was not fun nor enjoyable. My poor old body felt like I had gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson. However, it was one day, not life threatening, just tough. I would probably do the trip again and would work to get on Brule at dawn.

ScottMacFish: "... I did the Brule to South Temperance trip last year the 3rd wek of May. Like you I have done numerous trips and mentally believe I can handle any portage, however my senoir body is not in sunc with my brain. We had back up plans as well, similar to yours. We got onto Brule about 10am with a decent wind pushing us to South Temperance. Enjoyed a super trip, did some day trips to toher lakes and rivers.... caught some fish. The back however was an ordeal. Wind was against us and it was a hot hot sunny day. It was a tough paddle back to the EP, and as you said, it was not fun nor enjoyable. My poor old body felt like I had gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson. However, it was one day, not life threatening, just tough. I would probably do the trip again and would work to get on Brule at dawn."

Was it stormy or forecast as such? You describe a wind from the east which usually means weather that is unsettled overall. If forecasts indicated "iffy" weather and possibilities of an east-to-west wind, we'd forget about Temperance and go for my plan "B" or "C".

Like others have said, get an early start on Brule. I've been to Brule 4 times now. Twice on South Temperance, once on Vernon and once in the Cones. Can't go wrong with any of them. Only one trip had significant wind and we were heading to South Temperance. If we had been on the water at dawn, we would have crossed the open portion before it had gotten bad.

The best thing about Brule is the scenery and choices. You can go North to the Cones or Winchell, South to Juno and Homer, East to Vernon, or West to South Temperance. You can even stay on Brule itself. The islands and the hills are very scenic so you have great views everywhere.

Below is a quick summary of what each option is good for:

Temperance
All-round great area. Walleye fishing, great lake, scenic campsites and small enough to not get too rough but big enough to spread out. North Temperance is a great lake too and a short portage away.

Vernon
Good destination lake. Relaxing and has a waterfall. I went in August and fishing wasn't the greatest.

Cones
Good for day trips or a loop. The cones are smaller lakes and we caught smallmouth. You can stay on the little lakes, day trip back to Brule, or loop towards Winchell like I did. Lots of options here.