Hello all!!
I hope you all are doing well! It has been a few years since I have been in here (since our last and only trip to the BWCA in 2021). Thanks to you all for suggestions back then, my wife and I had an incredible trip! We rented a tandem canoe from Voyageur North in Ely and did a 4 day trip putting in at Little Sioux North and exiting at Moose River North (had our car dropped). Well we have been jonesing to get back up there ever since and are trying to start to plan another trip this September (probably similar duration, but may go a day or 2 longer). Knowing the drill now, I realize that we are limited to available permits, but figured I'd reach out to see if anyone has any suggestions on a 4-6 day trip. We'd like to check out a different area of the BWCA, thinking more on the east side since we also plan to drive north around Lake Superior afterwards, although we are flexible. We are completely fine with portaging and are really after solitude and scenery (and will be fishing; higher chance of moose sightings are also a bonus). I really loved the fact that we put in and took out at different areas last time which allowed us to maximize the ground we covered without having to back track. Anyway, I will start to look at what is available permit wise but if anyone has any suggestions/advice I'd greatly appreciate it. I also haven't paid too close to conditions up there this summer, but I read something about some flooding. The last time we were there was shortly after a bunch of closures due to wildfires.

Thanks in advance!

EP #47 Lizz Lake. Use Rockwood for bunkhouse and outfitting. Go through Lizz, Poplar, Horseshoe, and into Gaskin. Chances of seeing moose on Horseshoe is good if you want to stop there. Early morning or just before sunset is best for spotting wildlife.

Unreal that you just suggest that!! I was just coming on here to ask about this loop: Poplar,>Meeds>Swallow>Pillsberry>Gaskin>Horseshoe>Caribou>Lizz>back to Poplar. Looks awesome.

How many days would you suggest for that?

I'm going to echo Northwoodsman's suggestion of going in through Lizz.

My wife and I did a 4 day/3 night loop there about 5 years ago. It was in the reverse order you stated - Poplar-Lizz-Caribou-Horsehoe-Allen-Gaskin(1st day) - Henson-Pillsbery-Swallow-Meeds-Caribou (day 2 and then stayed next night too) - Lizz-Poplar. Caught quite a few walleye on Caribou - fishing was the reason for the extra day there. So that loop is a leisurely 4 day trip. You could add length with a trip to/through Winchell and Omega if desired.

Last week we returned from a 3 night basecamp trip to Horseshoe (are older so don't look to put on miles now) and had a great time. Watched a cow and calf moose from our campsite for about an hour one night. Caught a few smallmouth on that part of the lake as well. Checked out a few open campsites on Horseshoe and found them to be quite nice.

Several different loop options exist, lots of campsites for layover days, decent fishing, and you can return to the start with minimal repeat of the trip.

Plus, Rockwood was a great place to work with - we rented a kevlar tandem from them instead of bringing the Penobscot 17 royalex.

Awesome! Thanks for the suggestion and info! I am heavily leaning towards this area and will probably use Rockwood for rental.

Its looking like we may have to put in at Meeds as there are no available permits for Lizz during the timeframe we are thinking

If you can secure a Cross Bay #50 entry a loop through Tuscarora and Gillis is an easy 3 or 4 night trip exiting at Round lake and then your only a mile walk from your vehicle. You could make it six nights by pushing on to Little Sag which is one of the most beautiful lakes in the BW. This area is my favorite as it is rugged and remote.

dschult2: "If you can secure a Cross Bay #50 entry a loop through Tuscarora and Gillis is an easy 3 or 4 night trip exiting at Round lake and then your only a mile walk from your vehicle. You could make it six nights by pushing on to Little Sag which is one of the most beautiful lakes in the BW. This area is my favorite as it is rugged and remote."

This place sounds awesome and right up our alley. Looks like there is a permit available during the time frame we are looking at. Only issue is start date puts us a little later than we'd like..I feel if we go here we'd have to make it to Little Saganaga, but don't think 6 nights will work with our schedule.

If you like fishing, stick with the Meeds entry and Gaskin, Caribou route.

Yes, Northwoodsman is right on. Stay at Rockwood and go in at Meeds or Lizz (if you can get it). You have 100% chance of seeing a moose if you stay at the far eastern campsite on Horseshoe. The one at the start of the Brule River. I’ve seen one every time I’ve stayed at this site. You can make several nice out and back, lollipop, or loop routes from Poplar Lake. The best thing is you can end up at the end of your trip with a great meal and a cocktail at Poplar Haus.

PS) Welcome back. The BWCA has been eagerly awaiting your return.

Thank you! We will likely add stick to Meeds, but will give a more detailed look at the Round Lake area.

Also glad to be back;)

Sorry, one more question for now. What map is best for the Poplar Lake area?

Cross Bay and Lizz Lake are tough to get permits. Take a look at Missing LInk Lake. Start there and head to Snipe Lake. If you are looking for an end to end, we have done this. It is end to end from Missing Link to Lizz Lake

Day 1 - Missing Link Entry (start on Round Lake). Round Lake, Missing Link Lake, Snipe Lake.

Day 2 - Snipe Lake, Cross Bay Lake, Rib Lake, Lower George Lake, Karl Lake, Long Island Lake. A lovely paddle up the Cross River. The far eastern end of Long Island Lake has 2-3 lovely campsites. Have an extra day? Take a day trip to Frost Lake with its golden sand beaches.

Day 3 Long Island Lake, Muskeg Creek, Muskeg Lake, Kiskadinna Lake, Ogema Lake, Winchell Lake. Before you leave Winchell, climb the paths to the top of the cliff for a killer view. Find the lovelky water fall on the south shore of lake.

Day 4 - Winchell, Gaskin, Horseshoe. You will be nearing Lizz Lake entry point today. You will find these lakes much busier. Start early and find a campsite early. Paddle Horseshoe Lake and down toward Vista Lake for a better than average chance to see moose.

Day 5 - Out through Lizz Lake to Poplar Lake.

We have used both Tuscarora Outfitters and Rockwood Outfitters on trips through this area.

Hope you have a great trip.

Meeds is a great alternative to get to my favorite area of the BWCA when Lizz is unavailable. Entering at Meeds and exiting at Lizz makes for a great way to enter and exit at different places, but not having to shuttle your vehicle. I’ve used 20+ points and Lizz is the one I’ve used for entry and/or exit.

I think Rockwood is a great outfitter. You can leave your car there and push off right from their beach next to the outfitting building. It’s also very convenient to stay in their bunkhouses the night before so you can get an early start.

I have also used Missing Link and Cross Bay EP’s before and like that area as well. A trip on my bucket list is to leave my vehicle at Rockwood and have them drop me off at Missing Link (Round Lake) or Cross Bay EP lots and paddle back to Rockwood through Lizz. I could see 2 areas I really like and see some new territory in between.

Michwall2: "Cross Bay and Lizz Lake are tough to get permits. Take a look at Missing LInk Lake. Start there and head to Snipe Lake. If you are looking for an end to end, we have done this. It is end to end from Missing Link to Lizz Lake


Day 1 - Missing Link Entry (start on Round Lake). Round Lake, Missing Link Lake, Snipe Lake.


Day 2 - Snipe Lake, Cross Bay Lake, Rib Lake, Lower George Lake, Karl Lake, Long Island Lake. A lovely paddle up the Cross River. The far eastern end of Long Island Lake has 2-3 lovely campsites. Have an extra day? Take a day trip to Frost Lake with its golden sand beaches.


Day 3 Long Island Lake, Muskeg Creek, Muskeg Lake, Kiskadinna Lake, Ogema Lake, Winchell Lake. Before you leave Winchell, climb the paths to the top of the cliff for a killer view. Find the lovelky water fall on the south shore of lake.


Day 4 - Winchell, Gaskin, Horseshoe. You will be nearing Lizz Lake entry point today. You will find these lakes much busier. Start early and find a campsite early. Paddle Horseshoe Lake and down toward Vista Lake for a better than average chance to see moose.


Day 5 - Out through Lizz Lake to Poplar Lake.


We have used both Tuscarora Outfitters and Rockwood Outfitters on trips through this area.


Hope you have a great trip.



"

Thank you! I really like this option! Best of both worlds. Do you know if Rockwood would shuttle to Round Lake?

Markley: "

Michwall2: "Cross Bay and Lizz Lake are tough to get permits. Take a look at Missing LInk Lake. Start there and head to Snipe Lake. If you are looking for an end to end, we have done this. It is end to end from Missing Link to Lizz Lake



Thank you! I really like this option! Best of both worlds. Do you know if Rockwood would shuttle to Round Lake? "

Yes they do.
I had them drop me off at Morgan once for a solo trip and I ended back at Rockwood through Lizz. As mentioned above, on my bucket list of trips that I haven’t done yet is to have Rockwood drop me off at Cross Bay or Missing Link so I can paddle back to Rockwood through Lizz. I love the areas near Lizz and near Missing Link. I think that would be a great trip for you.

Last year when I was hanging out near the outfitters building having my morning coffee, one of the groups they were shuttling that day was going to Cross Bay which is right by Round/Missing Link.

It's been noted that there are a lot of different options in those areas. I did the trip ducks mentioned from Cross Bay to Long Island to Kiskadinna, Omega, Henson, Pillsbery, Allen, Horseshoe, Caribou, Lizz to Poplar in 2012 with a shuttle from Rockwood. I've also gone in Lizz to Vista, back to Gaskin with day trip to Winchell, then north to Pillsbery, Swallow and an exit through Meeds.

I've also gone the other direction from Cross Bay through Snipe, south to Copper and Hubbub to Tuscarora, then to Little Sag and exited through Missing Link to Round Lake and a short walk to Cross Bay. I've also used Brandt as an entry/exit. Lots of options for loops/near loops, point-to-point trips. I've also gone from Cross bay to Long Island, Frost, and even Cherokee, and back.

A lot depends on time and ambition.

Again, thanks much for all of your input/suggestions!! I am still mulling the options over, but I am leaning towards sticking with Meeds entry (Poplar>Meeds>Swallow>Pillsbery>Henson>Omega>Winchell>Gaskin>Horseshoe>Caribou>Lizz>Poplar). With 5 days/4 nights I feel like this allows us to take our time and allow for potential weather/exploring/fishing, etc.

I can't remember how many miles/day we averaged the last time we were in BWCA, but thinking up to 10 miles per day is easily doable (factoring in double portaging).

That will be a nice trip and you have options to think about for next time. Yes,10 miles per day is good - about 4 hours. You probably don't have more than 30 miles, so you could do it in 3 days without any hurry. You'll have plenty of time to relax. When we did the loop in Lizz to Vista we stayed 2 nights on Vista with some day trips, 1 on Gaskin with a day trip to Winchell, and a last night on Meeds with a quick exit the next morning before noon.

I agree with Boonie. I like every lake on your route, lots of skinny lakes which are my favorite. Omega is a very neat lake and the cliffs on Winchell are amazing. Horseshoe is called the Moose highway for good reason. For me pesrsollay, Caribou, Pilsbery, and Horseshoe have been better fishing. I only passed through Meeds on day 1 of a trip and didn’t fish it, but I’ve heard good things about fishing there.

Pilsbery is my sleeper lake in the area as it doesn’t get much chatter , but I really like that lake. It’s super quiet with only 2 campsites and it doesn’t get much through traffic either. I had really good smallie fishing there and caught some nice walleye.

Let us know if you have any specific questions about any of the lakes on your route.

Markley: "Again, thanks much for all of your input/suggestions!! I am still mulling the options over, but I am leaning towards sticking with Meeds entry (Poplar>Meeds>Swallow>Pillsbery>Henson>Omega>Winchell>Gaskin>Horseshoe>Caribou>Lizz>Poplar). With 5 days/4 nights I feel like this allows us to take our time and allow for potential weather/exploring/fishing, etc.

"

I just did this route over 4th of July weekend and it was fabulous! I did 5 nights/6 days, but easily could have done it in 4 nights and still had a nice relaxing trip. I stayed on Meeds the first night, then two nights on Omega, a night on Gaskin and a final night on Horseshoe. It was very quiet, with lots of nice campsites available on all the lakes I stayed on and passed through. Beautiful area! I’m sure you’ll have a great trip!

Thank you! That's great to hear! The only thing I am at all concerned about is how busy some of the lakes could be for finding spots. Being that quiet over July 4th is very encouraging.