My family and our friends are going to be staying at Veterans on the Lake near Ely this summer. My buddy and I would like do a short two night trip somewhere out of one of the EP's near there. The obvious choice I guess would be Fall Lake, but I'd like to hear some interesting 2-day/night trip options from that area.

With portaging or without?
Use a boat tow or paddle only?
Motor route or paddle only?

Slim Lake or South Hegman would be two easy entry points and most likely to be available whenever you go.

A good trip would be to start right where you will be, on Fall Lake, and go north (2 easy portages) into Pipestone Bay of Basswood. From there you could portage into Back Bay then South into Hoist Bay and, depending on water levels, either portage or take Good Creek to Hula Lake. Then you would portage to Wood Lake and take the portage out to the Wood Lake access point. That last portage is long but not difficult. It's possible, of course, to do this route in the opposite direction, but right now there are many more permits available for Fall Lake than there are for Wood Lake. There have been a few Trip Reports here for this route in the the last few years. Check them out to get some more information. One of them is Ghamer's wonderful video that is on YouTube.

RMinMN: "With portaging or without?
Use a boat tow or paddle only?
Motor route or paddle only?"

Paddle only, don't really care if the entry point allows motors or not. Definitely want at least one portage.

Most important advice is to check permit availability; that may be your determining factor.

Frenchy19: "Most important advice is to check permit availability; that may be your determining factor."

That's why I am asking for several options. I guess I didn't state that initially. Our window for the cabins is small so I need several options before we make the cabin reservations. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

I have seen plenty of openings both on Slim and Fall EP's so I think we should be fine either way but doesn't hurt to have options.

Best advice for Ely entry points, skip them and head further east. It's not that far to Kawishiwi or Sawbill and you can skip half the traffic if not more.

A1t2o: "Best advice for Ely entry points, skip them and head further east. It's not that far to Kawishiwi or Sawbill and you can skip half the traffic if not more."

Yeah I get that for sure. I've normally have either been a Sawbill / Baker / Brule guy just based on the shorter drive from S MN. I'm not off on Sawbill at all. I mean... they are all fantastic as are all EPs.

For a long time I have been avoiding Slim based on limited camp sites but I'm leaning toward that EP based on having a rookie paddler with me, and the comfort knowing there wouldnt be much wind. Thanks to everyone. I think I've selected my options and I may not have come up with a plan without your input. Thank you.

Wood Lake EP - you’ll be very close, easy to parking right off Fernberg.

Moose Lake EP - could cut across Moose and head to Wind Lake, which is pretty nice.

Lake One entry and then the Kawishiwi Triangle.

Day 1 - head down river to the area where the river splits into North and South, set up camp.

Day 2 - circumnavigate the triangle through Clear Lake and back to your campsite.

Day 3 - head back out to the Lake One EP.

JD

okinaw55: "My family and our friends are going to be staying at Veterans on the Lake near Ely this summer. My buddy and I would like do a short two night trip somewhere out of one of the EP's near there. The obvious choice I guess would be Fall Lake, but I'd like to hear some interesting 2-day/night trip options from that area."

I am the friend going with for the first time and appreciate all your advice.

I think it will depend on the window of dates you have available for the cabins. Places folk have mentioned like Wood, Lake One, Kawishiwi may not have any available permits and Fall or some of the others may be your only choice. There are also some great choices that border the BWCA like Burntside, Bass Lake, Twin Lake, and some of those that could give you quite a bit more flexibility along with more open spots during the time frame you are looking at.

We've got the cabins worked out and have our permit for Slim. Thanks everyone, hope we have a good trip.