What's the most time consuming lake to get to? Excluding bushwhacking, so lakes that have known portages to them...what's the lake that's the furthest from any entry point?

Ledge

oh wait this isn't NTL! Raven was on my list to visit for this reason but I've since thought that is was much closer to a Snowbank entry than a Round or a Kawsishiwi lake entry. I think Ledge or maybe Cap would be closer to equidistant but I haven't done any maths on it. Interesting question, I'm looking forward to reading other people's thoughts

Speckled: "What's the most time consuming lake to get to? Excluding bushwhacking, so lakes that have known portages to them...what's the lake that's the furthest from any entry point?"

My times are double portaging. Single portaging may get you to these sooner.

Trail, Bug (Along the Louse River). 2 days
Afton, Fente, Whipped - Along the Frost River 2 days. (maybe 1.5 from Sawbill?)
Finger, Eugene - Along Pocket Creek. We arrived there from LIS North, but is it one day from Moose River entry? Probably not. 2 days
Little Sag - 2 days from Kawishiwi. Maybe one (very long) day from Missing Link, but not likely. 2 days from Sawbill through Mesaba Lake.

Ledge - Can you get there in 2 days? Tow up Moose and on to Knife Lake (maybe to Kekakabic?) in one day. From the Thunder Point area to Ledge on day 2? Or Day 1 from Kawishiwi to Malberg and from Malberg to Ledge on day 2? Through Boulder/Adams I think on day 2.

This is actually a really neat topic. I won't speak to what is most time consuming, but a little over 15 miles of travel is the furthest you can get from any entry point on a maintaine route. I haven't looked at all the numbers, but the campsite on Trillium might be the most travel miles from any entry point at about 19 miles from the nearest entry. The campsite on Amoeber is about 18 miles of travel. Cap is nearly 18 miles.

It's hard to answer because the BWCAW isn't a solid circle of land mass like Quetico. If you carefully choose an entry point I don't think there is any lake or camp you can't get to in a day? It truly doesn't have a center. Maybe sections have a center?

My wife and I do Boulder/Adams to Kawishiwi (or reverse) in a day or Snowbank to Raven in a day as examples. As I look at the map I just don't see an area with some planning and organization that is really difficult to get to.

T

Spent some time staring at maps today...Ledge Area looks about right. I would think Finger Lake Area over on the western side would be close as well, excluding a tow through LLC.

Any lakes that just require a weird route that would take a bunch of time too?

Amoeber might be 18 miles from an EP, but with a tow to American Point it is very easy to get to in a half-day of travel. I love Amoeber Lake, it might be one of my favorite lakes/areas in the whole BWCA.

I vote for the Lakes along the Louse River due to the multiple portages. Trail or Dent. Amoeber has distance but is pretty easy to get to. The middle of the Frost River is up there for remoteness as well. Lake of the Clouds is also remote and requires some serious up hill portages.

I vote for the Lakes along the Louse River due to the multiple portages. Trail or Dent. Amoeber has distance but is pretty easy to get to. The middle of the Frost River is up there for remoteness as well.

Agree with Ledge. 24 miles from Snowbank entry, 26 from Kawishiwi, 25 miles from Missing Link entry.

Not really a Lake I’d like to spend much time on though.

Boulder is a nicer lake and is 25 miles from Snowbank, 24 from Kawishiwi, 28 from missing Link. Better choice as I map it out.

Amoeber is 19 miles from Sag entry and 22 from Seagull. If ya get a tow on Sag it’s only 13 miles—pretty easy trip.



T

I’d say Boulder or Adams. If you’re camping on either of these lakes you’ve earned it.

Center/interior? Boulder @ 18 miles, singling the ports.

Trillium is not really 'center' but is over 19 miles.

The northern part of LLC is also not 'center' but is 23+ miles from any EP.

Excluding PMAs, the area around Boulder/Adams is definitely one of the most isolated/distant based on total travel time. I can't fathom how timatkn is getting there in a day, even single carrying... that's a heck of a day. Though I did meet some guys who said they went from LIS North to Finger, moving counterclockwise, in a single day, and they were practically zombies afterwards. Finger is a pretty isolated lake, maybe a contender for deepest interior as well if you don't get a tow on LLC.

Strangely enough with Adams, when I was there in June 2022 we saw 2 other groups, and someone camped on the Boulder island campsite as well. Despite being quite far in, those lakes aren't necessarily the quietest or most isolated lakes in terms of human contact. For that, getting off the beaten path would be more prudent, with lakes like Pierz, Davis, maybe Dent, Kiana... that being said, I loved the topology of Adams and even though it wasn't the smallmouth mecca I was hoping it would be, it was one of my favorite lakes yet.

JD: "Excluding PMAs, the area around Boulder/Adams is definitely one of the most isolated/distant based on total travel time. I can't fathom how timatkn is getting there in a day, even single carrying... that's a heck of a day. Though I did meet some guys who said they went from LIS North to Finger, moving counterclockwise, in a single day, and they were practically zombies afterwards. Finger is a pretty isolated lake, maybe a contender for deepest interior as well if you don't get a tow on LLC.


Strangely enough with Adams, when I was there in June 2022 we saw 2 other groups, and someone camped on the Boulder island campsite as well. Despite being quite far in, those lakes aren't necessarily the quietest or most isolated lakes in terms of human contact. For that, getting off the beaten path would be more prudent, with lakes like Pierz, Davis, maybe Dent, Kiana... that being said, I loved the topology of Adams and even though it wasn't the smallmouth mecca I was hoping it would be, it was one of my favorite lakes yet."

I've been that zombie - woke up on Finger, had to exit LIS that night (after dark in '20, memorial day weekend), as we found no vacant sites after Slim. Brutal day with a cruel headwind.

Have been close on the other one - did Kawishiwi EP to Makwa in a day. To be fair, Boulder would have been a hair longer. Smite, west of Adams, was probably our favorite lake on that trip.

The worst one was we were on Boulder, were going to spend the last day on Amber, then head out via Kawishiwi. Got to Amber, all sites taken…ate an early lunch. Then went to Malberg…could of taken the high up site in the narrows…always wanted that site, but then it started to rain and I slipped and got stabbed by a sharp stick deep into my foot.

At that point decided let’s get out before my foot stiffens up and infection sets in. Did all the portages in severe pain every step (my guess was right though, way worse the next day) got to Kawishiwi Lake as the sun went down. No campfires on the lake. I swear we paddled in a circle around the lake as we were disoriented in the pitch black. Then talked to a camp on the island on the north end. All I remember was a dog constantly barking at us and the husband yelling at the wife to “Stir dem Tators” but they were nice helped us get our bearings and finally made it to the landing.

So Boulder, side trip to Amber, then a loop around Kawishiwi, finally out. Shoe full of blood…Sara almost passed out when I pulled it off. If I do that to my wife again she might divorce me :) Always an adventure.

T

I'll second Kiana for a lake with a remote feel. We found one of the campsites and got out to check it out to see if it was worth moving over there from Thomas. There were no logs around the campfire area, limited views due to brush mostly surrounding camping area and an almost completely empty latrine. We looked for the other campsite, but never saw any sign that it was there. I think it is back a bit in woods, but it didn't look like many people have gotten in there to trample the vegetation around the landing, if there is one. Maybe because there aren't a lot of people going there because it isn't supposed to have any Walleye, but some people report catching really big pike. It had an eerie feel to me, but maybe just because it seemed so isolated.

JD: "Excluding PMAs, the area around Boulder/Adams is definitely one of the most isolated/distant based on total travel time. I can't fathom how timatkn is getting there in a day, even single carrying... that's a heck of a day. Though I did meet some guys who said they went from LIS North to Finger, moving counterclockwise, in a single day, and they were practically zombies afterwards. Finger is a pretty isolated lake, maybe a contender for deepest interior as well if you don't get a tow on LLC.
"

I've done 30 miles with 14 portages in a single day (single portaging), so I can see how timatkn did it. All about efficiency at each portage landing. Took me just under 11 hours.

straighthairedcurly: "

JD: "Excluding PMAs, the area around Boulder/Adams is definitely one of the most isolated/distant based on total travel time. I can't fathom how timatkn is getting there in a day, even single carrying... that's a heck of a day. Though I did meet some guys who said they went from LIS North to Finger, moving counterclockwise, in a single day, and they were practically zombies afterwards. Finger is a pretty isolated lake, maybe a contender for deepest interior as well if you don't get a tow on LLC.
"

I've done 30 miles with 14 portages in a single day (single portaging), so I can see how timatkn did it. All about efficiency at each portage landing. Took me just under 11 hours."

Our crew has done a few similar trips with single portaging from Kawishiwi to Makwa. 16 portages, not sure on the miles but I know it was a haul.
When I saw the title of this thread I thought of Pan and Makwa right away.

Freeleo1: "I'll second Kiana for a lake with a remote feel. We found one of the campsites and got out to check it out to see if it was worth moving over there from Thomas. There were no logs around the campfire area, limited views due to brush mostly surrounding camping area and an almost completely empty latrine. We looked for the other campsite, but never saw any sign that it was there. I think it is back a bit in woods, but it didn't look like many people have gotten in there to trample the vegetation around the landing, if there is one. Maybe because there aren't a lot of people going there because it isn't supposed to have any Walleye, but some people report catching really big pike. It had an eerie feel to me, but maybe just because it seemed so isolated. "

I didn't know Kiana had any campsites...

Mike

MikeinMpls: "

Freeleo1: "I'll second Kiana for a lake with a remote feel. We found one of the campsites and got out to check it out to see if it was worth moving over there from Thomas. There were no logs around the campfire area, limited views due to brush mostly surrounding camping area and an almost completely empty latrine. We looked for the other campsite, but never saw any sign that it was there. I think it is back a bit in woods, but it didn't look like many people have gotten in there to trample the vegetation around the landing, if there is one. Maybe because there aren't a lot of people going there because it isn't supposed to have any Walleye, but some people report catching really big pike. It had an eerie feel to me, but maybe just because it seemed so isolated. "

I didn't know Kiana had any campsites...


Mike"

My bad...I was too focused on the southern area of the lake, and didn't see the northern reaches where two campsites can be found.

Mike

straighthairedcurly: "

JD: "Excluding PMAs, the area around Boulder/Adams is definitely one of the most isolated/distant based on total travel time. I can't fathom how timatkn is getting there in a day, even single carrying... that's a heck of a day. Though I did meet some guys who said they went from LIS North to Finger, moving counterclockwise, in a single day, and they were practically zombies afterwards. Finger is a pretty isolated lake, maybe a contender for deepest interior as well if you don't get a tow on LLC.
"

I've done 30 miles with 14 portages in a single day (single portaging), so I can see how timatkn did it. All about efficiency at each portage landing. Took me just under 11 hours."

I can totally see how it's _possible_, it's just not something I'd think people would want to do on a regular basis. 30 miles in a day is a lot if it's not mostly on the water.

straighthairedcurly: "I've done 30 miles with 14 portages in a single day (single portaging), so I can see how timatkn did it. All about efficiency at each portage landing."

Totally agree.... on efficiency at the portages.
Not BW, but Quetico, my Buddy and I in our 30s did Prairie Portage to Cutty Lake in a day 3 times.
I had a 75 lbs Standard Grumman and a 60 lbs food pack (we bring lots of fresh), and he had the gear pack.
That's 33 miles and 16 portages.
In my opinion we take our time paddling... just steady.
Portage landings on either end take less that a minute (not break time...that's on open water).
I'm the same when I solo. At 38 yrs old I paddled 27 portages out of BWCA on my last day, with my Grumman and canvas tent & gear. Made it to CBO before dinner time.
Not sure I could do that now, at 64.
But i repeat.... Portage efficiently ....no loose stuff, drink lots of water, and skip the filter.

I'm going to go with pageant lake. We accessed it through the pma in 2023, then used the souix Hustler to get down to heritage. Just hiking the trip, it's certainly not a tough trail. But with 3 packs and 2 canoes it's one hell of a portage. Besides the soiux Hustler there really is no portage to it. It took about 8 hours to get from pageant down to lower pauness, and an additional 3 hours the next day to exit the EP.

TreeBear: "This is actually a really neat topic. I won't speak to what is most time consuming, but a little over 15 miles of travel is the furthest you can get from any entry point on a maintaine route. I haven't looked at all the numbers, but the campsite on Trillium might be the most travel miles from any entry point at about 19 miles from the nearest entry. The campsite on Amoeber is about 18 miles of travel. Cap is nearly 18 miles. "

Hey Treebear, I love Amoeber! Saw a blackbear cruising the top of that monster cliff on the NE side one year. Due to this topic and a rabbit hole of trip reports, I've decided that my LIS North solo in May will likely try to do an "interior NW loop" through Trillium, Tak, Finger, Pocket, Gabe if the weather report indicates wind on LLC. Maybe even foray into Weeny PMA! Anyway, fun topic.

PS-Go Friends of the BWCA! My wife Misha works with you. Hopefully you and I get to chat at one of these upcoming Friends events.