Is Brant Lake EP to Ogish too gnarly to do in one day? Mapping it out by mile of paddling and portaging with average speed calculations says you can do it in under 8 hours and we would start at the crack of dawn, but it is around 11 and a half miles of paddling and 14 portages. Group of 5 studs single portaging, day 1 so we'll be fresh. Wondering if anyone has tried this or something similar. My dad thinks we can do it, what do you all think?

Welcome to bwca.com!

11 miles in one day is certainly doable. There are a fair # of tough portages along that route. Weather is always a wildcard but, beyond that, most of the meaningful questions only you and your group can answer.

A word of caution. Ogish is a popular lake and the campsites can fill up. Everyone in the group should be prepared (physically/mentally)for that possibility. Because it will be late when you get there having had a looong day already.

Thanks for the tips. Yeah I've heard its a popular one which is why its on my route!

I made it to the far side of Gillis before 9:00 late May double portaging.

Just curious as to why you wouldn't enter at Seagull? you could definitely make it to Ogish in one day, you could always exit through Brant.

a few more pro's to entering seagull:
fewer portages
less times unloading and loading
more options for camping along the way

Mocha: "Just curious as to why you wouldn't enter at Seagull? you could definitely make it to Ogish in one day, you could always exit through Brant.


a few more pro's to entering seagull:
fewer portages
less times unloading and loading
more options for camping along the way"

Likely explanation - no permits available for the days they can be there.

I agree with your Dad, as long as your group are good paddlers and efficient portagers.

I had a much longer post ready to go. I then uplugged and thought about it and here is what that post boiled down to:

Can it be done? Probably.

Should it be done? You have your reasons to try and didn't share.

Would I even plan to do it? Nope. I have my reasons.

But - You do you.

HYOH.

You don't start on Brant, you start on Round Lake and have to go through 3 portages before you even hit Brant.

To get to Ogish from Round there are 9 or 10 portages (EDIT, MY BAD, 14!), some will only take 30 minutes but some will take an hour. So think of that, first and foremost. If you can single trip all those portages you're maybe spending anywhere between 7 and 10 hours just portaging gear.

How fast can you paddle?

Well I’m a married stud, my wife says so.
I’m as good a paddler as anyone and tough as nails.

11 miles paddling in one day. Cake walk.
14 portages in one day. No way

Not a good idea. You will not be friends at the end of the day.
Tom

I've done those kind of miles and portage quantity while solo and single portaging. However, that being said, there are a lot of shorter but rougher/rockier portages on that route. I highly recommend breaking it into two days. My husband and I usually go from Round, thru Brant and end on Bat or Gillis the first night.

In addition, Ogish is one of the few lakes where I've been skunked at finding a campsite since it is very popular for groups to basecamp. I now actively avoid Ogish.

Tell us more about your goals for your trip, how many nights you are out, size of the group, experience level of the group in the BWCA, etc.

Sebas11: "Is Brant Lake EP to Ogish too gnarly to do in one day? Mapping it out by mile of paddling and portaging with average speed calculations says you can do it in under 8 hours and we would start at the crack of dawn, but it is around 11 and a half miles of paddling and 14 portages. Group of 5 studs single portaging, day 1 so we'll be fresh. Wondering if anyone has tried this or something similar. My dad thinks we can do it, what do you all think? "

I can think of several reasons that this route won't (or shouldn't) happen as planned.

A. Weather - The wind on Gillis and/or Gabimichigami is no joke. If it is rocking and rolling on Gillis you have no business out on Gabi (or perhaps Gillis either). Rain and cold will eventually get to even the biggest "stud".

B. Group dynamics - Having an overly ambitious goal invites a faulty group dynamic. No one wants to appear weak or cowardly in a group of 5 "studs". This is not a group dynamic I would recommend.

C. As previously noted, arriving late in the day on Ogish is not a good plan for finding an open campsite.

D. If your group is into fishing, there are great fishing lakes along your path that you shouldn't ignore.

E. There is some great scenery you will likely skip by running past to get to Ogish before dark. E.g. Find Mueller Falls by walking to the east along the Kekakabic Trail where you cross it.

F. Instead of starting at dawn, you decide to partake of the delicious French toast breakfast at Tuscarora Lodge that starts @ 7:00am.

I wish you a great trip!