Hey there!

I am planning my annual October BWCA trip and thinking about going in through Mudro to camp on Horse Lake for the weekend. I know that entry point has been closed since the July fires — does anyone know if it's expected to reopen before then, or is it likely to stay closed in October?

Thanks!

Right now is anybody's guess. I could see it opening with some travel restriction.

Good thing about October is you can change your route at any time.

Checked the current Forest Service list this morning: EP 23 Mudro is still NOT on the open list as of the latest update (Phase 9 Exhibit A, revised Aug 26). Kawishiwi EPs currently open: 6 Slim, 7 Big Lake, 25 Moose Lake (restricted, no paddle travel past Lewis Narrows/Upper Basswood Falls), 26 Wood, 27/28 Snowbank, 29 North Kawishiwi River, 30 Lake One, 31 Farm, 32 South Kawishiwi River, 33 Little Gabbro, 77 South Hegman, 74 Kekekabic Trail West, 91 NCT West, plus Fall Lake day-use. Everything else stays closed under Order 09-09-06-26-07.

That order runs through Oct 1 at 12:01 pm CT unless rescinded earlier, so for an October trip it depends on when your weekend falls and whether they extend it. Reopenings have been phased and rolling (new EPs added each round), so the week you leave, check the Superior NF alerts page and the current Exhibit A rather than trusting this thread. If Mudro does open in time, October is the easy case: overnight permits are self-issued from Oct 1, so no quota scramble for your weekend.

Looks like Mudro will be open on the 8th.
The Superior NF continues to reopen recreation areas temporarily impacted by the July wildfires for public enjoyment.

Starting on September 8, Phase 10 will reopen additional BWCAW
entry points on the Kawishiwi and LaCroix Ranger Districts, and more recreation areas along the Echo Trail.

These locations include BWCAW Entry Points 12-Little Vermilion, 12A-Lac La Croix Only, 13-Herriman Lake Trail, 22-Mudro Lake Restricted, 23-Mudro Lake, and 24-Fall Lake.

Recreation areas include Ed Shave Road and boat launch; Meander Lake picnic area, fishing pier, and backcountry sites; and Fire and Ice Interpretive Trail

Visitors are reminded to watch for wildfire hazards like burnt and unstable hazard trees and stump holes. Public and firefighter safety remains our top priority. Maps and recreation lists related to closures are available at: https://fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts

Information on recreation opportunities on the Forest is available:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/recreation

Sounds like we have a pretty good chance of doing the route I was thinking of. Thanks for the input everyone!