Good evening,

I will be heading into the BWCA from the Cross Bay entry point May 15, with a group of young people, and there seems to be many tempting lakes to go to. We will be there for five days. Where would you go?

I have a very enthusiastic group of young people who like to fish, but don’t have to, love the canoe, but happy to chill, love the beautiful scenery, but are easily pleased.

Thanks,
CanoeViking

I would head east toward Long Island and then pick the lakes that will get you to poplar lake.

Arrange ahead of time for a shuttle back to your vehicle or if driving two vehicles, leave one at the poplar public access and exit there.

There are so many beautiful lakes in that section of the bwca.

Loop or base camp?

Speckled: "Loop or base camp?"

Either one, the group is very flexible, I think they only want one down day but a okay with more.

I always recommend getting to Frost Lake. Great campsites, lots of moose sightings, good lake trout fishing, and even some sandy beaches.

If you haven't seen it already? This is where we went the last time we entered at Cross Bay.
Homage to the Spartans and other canoeing friends

You should absolutely listen to these “Cross Bay to Poplar” and “Cross Bay Lake entry point“ episodes of ‘Tumblehome: A Boundary Waters Podcast.’ They will answer a lot of questions you have!

Cross Bay to Poplar

Cross Bay Lake entry point

In my opinion;

Long Island has some of the nicest campsites in the area.
Frost has the best Lake Trout fishing in the area.
Cherokee is the most scenic in the area.

Spending a day or two or all days at any one of those lakes would not dissappoint.

P.S. I'll be in the area as well - same dates. We're coming up from Brule. If you see a canoe or two with a BWCA.COM Flying moose sticker, feel free to say hi.

CanoeViking: "Good evening,

I will be heading into the BWCA from the Cross Bay entry point May 15, with a group of young people, and there seems to be many tempting lakes to go to. We will be there for five days. Where would you go?

I have a very enthusiastic group of young people who like to fish, but don’t have to, love the canoe, but happy to chill, love the beautiful scenery, but are easily pleased.

Thanks,
CanoeViking "

First, I love the routes suggested so far. End to end from Cross Bay to Lizz Lake (Poplar Lake) is a great route. Lots to see and do. To me a visit to Frost Lake in May is a waste. The great sand beaches and swimming possibilities are just a frustration with the cold water in May. The fishing for trout and northern would likely be spectacular though. On Winchell Lake climb the paths to the top of the cliffs for the view. A stop on Horseshoe Lake to spend an evening and morning paddling while looking for moose would be another must do.

Another variation on this route you should investigate would be to go northeast out of Long Island Lake to Cave, Ross, and Sebeka Lakes to Banadad. It takes you out through Skipper to Poplar Lake again.

So here is a completely different take on your trip. Enter at Cross Bay and instead of planning to go east, go west.

Route 1
Cross Bay, Copper, Hubbub, Howl, Tuscarora Lake. Tucarora, Owl, Crooked, Tarry, Mora, Little Sag. Little Sag, Virgin, West Fern, Powel, Fern, Gillis Lake. Gillis, Bat, Green, Flying, Gotter, Brandt. A trip to Little Sag is always a treat for me. There are lots of potential loops out there. E.g. Instead of coming back through Brandt Lake, extend north from Little Sag to Gabimichigami and up to Ogishkemuncie. Turn east here and head out through Sea Gull Lake.

Route 2 Cross Bay to Frost Lake. Frost Lake, Frost River, Afton Lake. Afton Lake, Fente, Whipped, Mora Lake. Mora, Tarry, Crooked, Gillis. Gillis, Bat, Green, Flying, Gotter, Brandt. Frost River should have plenty of water in May to make the crossing less arduous. It is a great wilderness route.

Again, just some options to consider.

Why not stay on Long Island? That lake has many great camp sites, some sandy beaches, decent fishing and access to interesting day trips. The lake is large enough that exploring it alone will require a couple of days.
Head to Snipe Lake, one of my favorites, very cool lake but (imho) the campsites and fishing are only average at best. I had a fabulous wolf sighting on Snipe!
Cross bay EP is not in the BWCA so you could stay on Ham lake which has a great BW feel, get 2 portages out of the way and an extra days camping before entering or exiting the BWCA.

A WORD OF CAUTION!! Please read the posts about the Cross Bay route in high water in May 2022.

Mocha: "I would head east toward Long Island and then pick the lakes that will get you to poplar lake.

Arrange ahead of time for a shuttle back to your vehicle or if driving two vehicles, leave one at the poplar public access and exit there.

There are so many beautiful lakes in that section of the bwca. "

I would also recommend this route.

I have read that trip report at least 2-3 times and it is just as good every time. I’m hope my three little ones will continue to love the BW at you daughter does. Thanks for the advice and hope to cross paths sometime.

scottiebaldwin: "You should absolutely listen to these “Cross Bay to Poplar” and “Cross Bay Lake entry point“ episodes of ‘Tumblehome: A Boundary Waters Podcast.’ They will answer a lot of questions you have!


Cross Bay to Poplar


Cross Bay Lake entry point "

Thanks for the resource. I listened to them today and it was very helpful.

Speckled: "In my opinion;


Long Island has some of the nicest campsites in the area.
Frost has the best Lake Trout fishing in the area.
Cherokee is the most scenic in the area.


Spending a day or two or all days at any one of those lakes would not dissappoint.


P.S. I'll be in the area as well - same dates. We're coming up from Brule. If you see a canoe or two with a BWCA.COM Flying moose sticker, feel free to say hi. "

Thanks for the input. After listening to everyone, I didn’t realize this area was such a gem. I knew if was good, but after digging more and checking out everyone’s suggest, I am really excited to go there.

If I see a flying moose I will say hello. I would say the same about looking for my flying moose but a tornado last year turned my flying moose into a dying moose, and my replacement craft won’t be in my procession yet. But is you see a group of teenagers and a guy wearing a bright tye dye shirt that’s me. (I learned in leading groups it helps to be seen easily.)

Michwall2: "

CanoeViking: "Good evening,


I will be heading into the BWCA from the Cross Bay entry point May 15, with a group of young people, and there seems to be many tempting lakes to go to. We will be there for five days. Where would you go?


I have a very enthusiastic group of young people who like to fish, but don’t have to, love the canoe, but happy to chill, love the beautiful scenery, but are easily pleased.


Thanks,
CanoeViking "

First, I love the routes suggested so far. End to end from Cross Bay to Lizz Lake (Poplar Lake) is a great route. Lots to see and do. To me a visit to Frost Lake in May is a waste. The great sand beaches and swimming possibilities are just a frustration with the cold water in May. The fishing for trout and northern would likely be spectacular though. On Winchell Lake climb the paths to the top of the cliffs for the view. A stop on Horseshoe Lake to spend an evening and morning paddling while looking for moose would be another must do.


Another variation on this route you should investigate would be to go northeast out of Long Island Lake to Cave, Ross, and Sebeka Lakes to Banadad. It takes you out through Skipper to Poplar Lake again.


So here is a completely different take on your trip. Enter at Cross Bay and instead of planning to go east, go west.


Route 1
Cross Bay, Copper, Hubbub, Howl, Tuscarora Lake. Tucarora, Owl, Crooked, Tarry, Mora, Little Sag. Little Sag, Virgin, West Fern, Powel, Fern, Gillis Lake. Gillis, Bat, Green, Flying, Gotter, Brandt. A trip to Little Sag is always a treat for me. There are lots of potential loops out there. E.g. Instead of coming back through Brandt Lake, extend north from Little Sag to Gabimichigami and up to Ogishkemuncie. Turn east here and head out through Sea Gull Lake.


Route 2 Cross Bay to Frost Lake. Frost Lake, Frost River, Afton Lake. Afton Lake, Fente, Whipped, Mora Lake. Mora, Tarry, Crooked, Gillis. Gillis, Bat, Green, Flying, Gotter, Brandt. Frost River should have plenty of water in May to make the crossing less arduous. It is a great wilderness route.


Again, just some options to consider."

I have seriously considered the last two options, I worried I may wear the group on with the portages. But after reading the trip reports and looking at the pictures…I’m tempted.

merlyn: " Why not stay on Long Island? That lake has many great camp sites, some sandy beaches, decent fishing and access to interesting day trips. The lake is large enough that exploring it alone will require a couple of days.
Head to Snipe Lake, one of my favorites, very cool lake but (imho) the campsites and fishing are only average at best. I had a fabulous wolf sighting on Snipe!
Cross bay EP is not in the BWCA so you could stay on Ham lake which has a great BW feel, get 2 portages out of the way and an extra days camping before entering or exiting the BWCA.


A WORD OF CAUTION!! Please read the posts about the Cross Bay route in high water in May 2022."

I have a feeling the group is going to want to do this. Some like fishing, some want to travel, some want to chill, but all are such a flexible group, as long as they are in the BW they are happy.

I really want to check out Snipe, something about the pictures and reports has the very mesmerized and I hope to get to check it out.

Ham is a nice lake. I took a group there last year. We were going to go in farther but due to the unusually cold august weather (mid thirties for lows and mid 40’s to 50’s for highs and rain we made Ham lake our base camp and had a great time!

Thanks for the word of caution, I will look into that.

I went on a solo to Snipe in 2023. Went thru Missing Link and out Cross Bay. Fishing was ok at best (did have a shore lunch) but loved the lake. The narrows from the south part to the north part is interesting to paddle through. Stayed at the northern-most campsite on the point. Great site for me (would be for a small group). So maybe a couple of days on Cross Bay or into Long Island and the loop back through Snipe. Although I will say that the portages back via Cross Bay are easier.

Michwall2: "

…To me a visit to Frost Lake in May is a waste. The great sand beaches and swimming possibilities are just a frustration with the cold water in May."

Ignore this advice. Not going to Frost Lake in May because you can’t swim is a stupid reason not to go. In the BWCA you can’t swim in any lakes during the month of May. Frost Lake is known for lots of Moose sightings, good fishing, nice campsites, and less traffic, these are the reasons to visit Frost Lake in May.

I second the Frost River route. That would be a memorable trip for a group of young people. The route becomes much harder when you’re in your 40s-50s.

Though you can’t go wrong with any of the route suggestions above, it’s a good EP with lots of options.

Yup Get a ride to the EP from Rockwood and paddle back to Poplar . Great TripIf it's their first trip I do not recommend the Frost River Trip with a group of young kids. There's a good chance the water levels may be low which will make it even thougher

Another option

All of the suggestions so far I agree are excellent. Here is a choice for a point to point. From your EP head south to Long Island Lake. Then head east taking the encountering the famous Laurentian Divide portage to Kiskadina to Omega to Gaskin to Horshoe. Then turn south to Little Trout and the east exiting at Ram. There are 2 challenging portages on this route but well worth it. Pic is exit from Ram

Muskeg to Kiskidinna is a leg burner. I haven't done it since 1999...but would love to get take that route from Long Island over to Winchel again. Absolutely gorgeous.