So best case scenario, we get a ton of rain between now and mid-August. Do we think with the fire damage in the area that Stuart may not reopen? I'm giving it till August 2nd before I cancel the permit and book an alternate one.

I am trying to keep our trip BWCA local so that we can still support the businesses in the area, but I have also considered scrapping it this year altogether and doing Voyageurs or Sylvania. Traveling logistics from PA are tough to nail down, but I'm determined to make this trip happen if I can.

Others with more post-fire experience will probably know better, but I personally would be surprised to see the burned areas open this year. As things sit now Stuart itself didn't get burned, but I'm not sure how any such partial closures would work - whether they would close EPs providing access to burned areas, or just the burn itself.

I guess if it was me, I'd try for a different permit further from the fires.

Good advice NEI Paddler, I too doubt they will open up any fire area this year. If the fires get a bunch of rain, it is possible they could open up some areas. I'm guessing they would close portages to certain areas if that happened. I'm not aware of any other way.

LindenTree: "Good advice NEI Paddler, I too doubt they will open up any fire area this year. If the fires get a bunch of rain, it is possible they could open up some areas. I'm guessing they would close portages to certain areas if that happened. I'm not aware of any other way. "

Hard to say. When the Pagami Fire was mostly out I remember putting in at Island River in October. There was someone from the forest service sitting in his truck. He didn’t seem to care that we were entering the BW—even though I don’t think it was officially open. At that point nothing was cleared. Later in November we hiked a portion of the Pow Wow Trail. Some falls but not many at the time. I also remember seeing fire smoldering along the road and on Isabella Lake even though that was snow on the ground. My point is that clearing portages is the last thing on the Forest Services mind until the fires are out. I think some entry point along the Echo Trail could open, but with limited travel.

Deeznuts,

I’ve been thinking about you through this. I think you are planning on heading to LacLaCroix.

After a hot fire, the soil has burned and the trees are standing up on their roots with nothing to support them. Over time, they all start toppling over. This is why, in part, they will keep the burned areas closed for extended times. Campsites are a major hazard until they are assessed as usable or closed for years.

Based on my past experiences, if your permit takes you near or through a burn, those permits will most likely be cancelled this year.

If I had a permit that took me through the burn or close to it this year, I would get a new permit for an alternate location and just go with that.

I am grateful as hell there are still places we can go that were unaffected by fire. The big pines, the mossy ground. The smells and sights of the boreal forest.
Tom

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I am planning to try to snag a different permit at this point. I guess I will find out for sure pretty soon which EPs are opening. I'll let yall know how I make out!

Well after securing a trout lake permit, and releasing a trout lake permit, I finally managed to get a permit for one of the EPs opening up on the 30th. It's further from Ely than I wanted to go, but I'm just grateful we will have an opportunity to go on our trip!

I’ve got permit alerts set and am still refreshing multiple times a day, as our late Aug trips are still in the closure areas. Worst case scenario we camp at a place like Sawbill and just day trip in, but oof. Trying to come up with any sort of reliable plan for the five people flying into MN from all over the country.

So, fingers crossed that someone cancels a permit on the Gunflint and we’re able to snag it in time…

I was checking the site every 15 minutes all weekend. It took almost a full 24 hours for my trout lake permit to be released back into the system. I was committed to snagging a permit no matter what, and even considered spending the week on Bog lake if I had to. I've had a trip to stuart planned for 3 years now, and after booking flights, a rental car, and canoes I was pretty committed to making SOMETHING happen. Crossing my fingers that the weather cooperates and the fires stay somewhat contained. Don't give up hope!

Deez.....where did you snag a permit for?

Sawbill. I know that area can be busy toward the EP but we are going in as deep as they'll let us. I guess the outfitter will be able to clarify where exactly the boundaries are. Trying to talk the boys into frost river but not sure if I'll be able to convince them with the wayer levels this low. We may end up just doing the temperances and fire chain.

If it’s any consolation, the Sawbill entry point is a pretty darn nice place. It is a bit busy with the outfitter being right there and a USFS campground. But it surely will feel like the wilderness when you get there.

It’s a pretty area and you will find what you’re looking for. There are lakers in Alton if you really need to try and catch one.

Tom

Consider the Louse (less affected by water levels) to Malberg and then come back via Lady Chain. I loved that trip.

I have looked into louse, but im letting the boys to decide. I have a feeling they will want to avoid as many beaver dams as possible, so river routes may be out.
I'm feeling pretty prepared for our trip but the route is the last thing I have to nail down. I'm researching as much as I can to find all the hidden gems, so if you guys know of any waterfalls or overlooks, I'd love some recommendations!

Ella is a real little gem of a lake without much traffic. The portage out of it to Grace is a real ankle buster of a boulder field on the Grace end, so most folks just take the longer portage from Beth straight to Grace. Ella does have 2 campsites, one of them is very nice. Beth has some good sites as well. The whole Lady Chain is gorgeous.

Here's a trip report from a section of the Lady Chain

Lady chain trip report