Scored a couple of days off this coming weekend (first weekend of October). I need to go through Ely to pick up some equipment I bought. I want to do a 3-4 night solo while I have the time off. The only Ely area EPs that I have never been through are Snowbank, Cummings, and Farm. I also have never paddled and stayed around Moose/Newfoundland, I have only gone through on the way to Ensign or Knife.

These are all big pieces of water and when I solo, I am overly cautious to pay attention to wind/waves.

Winds are looking (as of today) look promising (SW at 5-10 for most with gusts to 20 per nws). Light and variable overnight which bodes well for early morning paddling.

I was thinking about paddling Moose and Newfound. I am sure the motor activity should be much less and I would like to try for some Brookies in Found/Skull lakes. I'm not a big fan of basecamping but am also not opposed to it if I can keep busy daytripping.

I rarely see anyone who actually canoe camps on Moose in searching the stories on the forum and youtube. For those of you who do how is it? is there good paddling and exploring around for 3-4 nights? Has anyone soloed and got windbound?

Snowbank scares the bajeepers out of me solo, and Burntside to Cummings is something I haven't figured out if it would be a decent solo trip for a 60+ year old dude.

The only other place nearby I haven't toured is Isabella lake, but not sure if that is busy (most permits are gone through the 30th which means there are people heading that way, while Moose is looking like 20+ per day available so I am wondering if that means less people.

Would love to get some opinions :)

wxce1260: "Scored a couple of days off this coming weekend (first weekend of October). I need to go through Ely to pick up some equipment I bought. I want to do a 3-4 night solo while I have the time off. The only Ely area EPs that I have never been through are Snowbank, Cummings, and Farm. I also have never paddled and stayed around Moose/Newfoundland, I have only gone through on the way to Ensign or Knife.

These are all big pieces of water and when I solo, I am overly cautious to pay attention to wind/waves.

Winds are looking (as of today) look promising (SW at 5-10 for most with gusts to 20 per nws). Light and variable overnight which bodes well for early morning paddling.

I was thinking about paddling Moose and Newfound. I am sure the motor activity should be much less and I would like to try for some Brookies in Found/Skull lakes. I'm not a big fan of basecamping but am also not opposed to it if I can keep busy daytripping.

I rarely see anyone who actually canoe camps on Moose in searching the stories on the forum and youtube. For those of you who do how is it? is there good paddling and exploring around for 3-4 nights? Has anyone soloed and got windbound?

Snowbank scares the bajeepers out of me solo, and Burntside to Cummings is something I haven't figured out if it would be a decent solo trip for a 60+ year old dude.

The only other place nearby I haven't toured is Isabella lake, but not sure if that is busy (most permits are gone through the 30th which means there are people heading that way, while Moose is looking like 20+ per day available so I am wondering if that means less people.

Would love to get some opinions :)"

Nothing should be too busy then.

Snowbank is terrifying.

There are 3 campsites in a cluster on the north side of Moose. The middle one is exceptional, don't tell anyone.

FYI Hwy 1 is closed south of Ely thru October 13.

https://www.dot.state.mn.us/d1/projects/hwy1-culvert/index.html

Don’t know why nobody thinks about Wind Lake. It is short paddle & one portage from the Moose landing. Nice campsites, no motors on Wind. Fishing is good. You can day trip to various lakes around there.

OldGuide2: "Don’t know why nobody thinks about Wind Lake. It is short paddle & one portage from the Moose landing. Nice campsites, no motors on Wind. Fishing is good. You can day trip to various lakes around there."

Going to second this recommendation if you are willing to trudge the ~180 rod portage from Moose -> Wind. You will most likely be rewarded with some great fishing in this area. I would recommend bringing the following tackle to take on the walleye and smallmouth in the lake:

Jointed Rapala Shad Rap (JSR07): Used this lure both trolling and casting. Work the rock pile that is right before the Northwest Basin from the outside in. Cast from as far away as possible until you start ticking rocks. This worked great late at night when fish started hunting the shallows.

Rapala Ripping Blade (RPB07): If you are bringing a depth finder this lure is a killer for finding mid lake humps or working deep drop offs. The small bay on the South West part of Wind Lake is where I would use this. The bay also has a portage to Washte Lake which may help you locating this area. On the very edge of this bay there is a large rock face that is sheer and drops nearly 100 feet straight down, fish that. Also fish the large rock on the other side of the bay adjacent to the main lake. I personally had a lot of luck ripping the blade during the day for walleye.

If you're up for a challenge one of the days try to portage to Washte Lake and then find the hidden portage to Witness Lake. I've heard there's great walleye fishing in there but have never been myself. One of those trips where I keep saying "next year."

Make sure to let us know where you end up going and how the fishing is!

OldGuide2: "Don’t know why nobody thinks about Wind Lake. It is short paddle & one portage from the Moose landing. Nice campsites, no motors on Wind. Fishing is good. You can day trip to various lakes around there."

This sounds interesting. Another lake I haven't visited. Will consider this seriously. I'm not sure why I haven't tripped on this lake before so it may be a perfect solo destination.

I've paddled snowbank a few times. Always put in early to try and avoid the wind. If your going through parent lake, hug the island on the south side if the wind is out of the north. Its good to get behind cover in the direction the wind is blowing. Helps break it up. If the winds out of the south then the south end should be fairly calm. I paddled to the north portage on a calm day and it was fine too, but it was early and calm. Dont be afraid of those big lakes just be smart and give them respect.

wxce1260: "...Burntside to Cummings is something I haven't figured out if it would be a decent solo trip for a 60+ year old dude.
"

Burntside to to the entry point is a long paddle and the entry point is somewhat hidden among some islands. The portage to Crab is long (and all uphill ;)!) If I were to do that route I would probably opt to stay on Crab (which I did, the portage wore me out at 60).

I have seen outfitter tows on Burntside but never used one.

Burnside to Crab portage took a little over hour to paddle solo. Yes the portage is long but a very good path and somewhat gradual uphill at end. Made it to Cummings by early afternoon. Good fishing.....if no wind, paddle down to Otter and fish the stream outflow by portage. We looped back to Crab and the down through the loop of little lakes....Sacca, Hassel, Battle, Phantom, Clark....back to Crab. I really liked those little lakes. Wish we would have gone to dead end Boulder....looks like cool site. Other dead end is Glimmer with another decent site. Fishing????....cummings/otter great. Battle suppose to be decent. Phantom sucked. Crab ok. I did hit east wind on Burnside on way out which was a struggle.

plander: "FYI Hwy 1 is closed south of Ely thru October 13.


https://www.dot.state.mn.us/d1/projects/hwy1-culvert/index.html "

Does anyone know how to get to EP 33, Little Gabbro Lake? I am planning on going in there tomorrow/Thursday, Oct 1.

LindenTree: "

plander: "FYI Hwy 1 is closed south of Ely thru October 13.



https://www.dot.state.mn.us/d1/projects/hwy1-culvert/index.html "

Does anyone know how to get to EP 33, Little Gabbro Lake? I am planning on going in there tomorrow/Thursday, Oct 1."

Which direction are you coming from? If you’re going north on 1 you’ll have no detour.

egknuti: "

LindenTree: "

plander: "FYI Hwy 1 is closed south of Ely thru October 13.



https://www.dot.state.mn.us/d1/projects/hwy1-culvert/index.html "

Does anyone know how to get to EP 33, Little Gabbro Lake? I am planning on going in there tomorrow/Thursday, Oct 1."

Which direction are you coming from? If you’re going north on 1 you’ll have no detour."

Coming from Two Harbors, knew I forgot to mention that. Thanks, looks like I'm good.