I will finally be doing my first solo trip! Brand new area for me. Will be staying in Ely or nearby the night before and the my plan is to get an early morning tow across Burntside before making my way up to Cummings for the first night. After that I will improvise based on how I'm feeling and weather. Maybe doing the loop over to Buck and back to Crab. Initial plan is for 4 nights, but could extend if everything is going well.

I've found a couple of trip reports, but think the information is somewhat dated. Has anyone been up here this year for any recent intel? I'm a hammock camper with a Winona Prism. Right now I am undecided on whether to bring fishing gear. On one hand I want to keep it simple and light, on the other I might be fighting boredom and need something else to do.

I've been trying to get in a solo for several years now. This is the first year since 2019 where I have not helped lead a scout trip, so looking forward to just having to take care of myself for a change.

Any suggestions for this entry point? Recent updates on portages/river routes?

My son and I did a loop there in early June. We got a tow from VNO, and then did a loop up through Cummings, Buck, and back through Western, Glenmore, Lunetta, and Little Crab. Portages were in good shape. You'll have to cross a beaver pond about halfway through the entry portage. The portage from Cummings to Buck is long but beautiful. Lots of wolf and moose sign. I'd bring your fishing gear! It's an amazing area that doesn't get a lot of travel. Have fun!

Thanks Onthefly

I've been going back and forth ragarding getting a tow across Burntside. From the south public access it's under 3 miles of paddling and fairly protected.

Anyone know if this public access is ok to use and has overnight parking?

Yes, that access on the south side has a fairly large area for overnight parking, we've used it twice. Once you get out to the islands you can find some nice, sheltered areas. Depending on the wind direction you will have some short stretches of waves to fight. We made it in and out both times without a tow.

Nice launch and parking. Boat ramp at bottom to unload canoe and gear, then drive back up hill a little to big parking area. My kids took a tandem and I paddled solo. Had a slight east wind on launch day so paddle to Crab portage was easy...maybe 50 minutes?? A NE wind on exit day made it a little tougher coming back out. We did Crab, Cummings, back down to loop through little lakes...Saca, Battle, Phantom,Clark...last night on Crab. I enjoyed the little lake loop.

Thanks everyone for the input. I think I am going to get a tow in but since I am flexible on my exit day/time I plan on paddling out. Plan on making it up to Cummings on the first day and deciding from there what I want to do.

I sure hope Burntside looks like this on my exit day!

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Onthefly6: "My son and I did a loop there in early June. We got a tow from VNO, and then did a loop up through Cummings, Buck, and back through Western, Glenmore, Lunetta, and Little Crab. Portages were in good shape. You'll have to cross a beaver pond about halfway through the entry portage. The portage from Cummings to Buck is long but beautiful. Lots of wolf and moose sign. I'd bring your fishing gear! It's an amazing area that doesn't get a lot of travel. Have fun!"

I did this same loop in Sept 2020. I was solo with another solo. We both brought our dogs with. The portages are long but fairly level. Go light if you plan to get into Buck. We laid over there on the north site. Highly recommend that one for a solo.

We also heard wolves 3 early mornings and on the trail to Buck found a big pile of fresh wolf scat and further on the trail a fresh “mini pile”. Make your own conclusions but while on Cummings they were howling across the lake in the direction of the portage to Buck.

Beautiful loop and we only saw people on both Crab lakes. I ended up getting giardia from this trip but pretty sure it was from dipping while traveling through shallow Lunetta lake without filtering. I would try to add a couple more days for this loop otherwise you’ll be busting your butt everyday.

If you just stay on Cummings get the Voyageur map that will show you a trail system near there that you can hike.

Crab Lake report 2020