So my new work partner and I are going to take our oldest kids on a trip this summer. Middle of July is the start date, but could maybe swing August. My son is 7 and his daughter is 6. Both get along very well. We know the kids will be swimming a lot. We have 6 days available and will exit at the end, OR whenever the kids are ready to go.

I have read a lot of great threads about keeping them busy, menus, and such. For those of you that have taken this particular age group; which EP would you pick in current conditions (recent fires, water levels, etc.) and why?

Here's a few suggestions....

Larch Creek EP #80. Blue heaven on the Granite river

I've done a trip through this area the last few years. It's all smaller lakes & rivers so wind shouldn't be a problem. Larch Creek is a very narrow & shallow stream. Yet, each time there has only been 4-5 small pull over beaver dams. The island site on Larch is nice, try to avoid the eastern most site. The portage into Clove is really easy. The northern most site on Clove has a nice sandy beach. All sites on this lake are pretty good. If you need to push on up the Granite river, the island site just after the portage into Gneiss is the best in the area. If it's a decent year, you should have blueberries beyond your wildest dreams. There is extensive fire damage throughout this area but, it has started to come back.


Moose river south EP #8. Big Moose & a little girl ~ A river less paddled

The trip in will be along the river. There were a few beaver dams along the way on this one and only 2 easier portages. We didn't fish much but, bwca.com member walllee swears by this lake. E-mail him for fishing info. We liked the site just north from the portage in. But, the 2 northern most sites were nice too. There is a tremendous sandy beach near the portage to Duck lake. Some great hiking opportunities are afforded along the Big Moose hiking trail and the portages to Duck & Cummings. Although, moving/portaging past Big Moose will require some serious effort.


Brule lake EP #41. Brule bay baby

If you trace the northeast shoreline from the EP towards Brule bay, you can mostly avoid the expansive open waters of Brule. We checked 3 of the sites in Brule bay and all were at least acceptable. Although, if available, I would recommend grabbing the site on Vernon nearest the portage down from Brule bay. (you could walk the portage empty handed then follow the shore over to ensure availability before committing to the portage as it is a tough one coming back.) Both Brule bay & Vernon offer good fishing. And, Brule bay seems to be a good spot for wildlife viewing. But, the site on Vernon has a small rapids that wash out in front of it. Plus there is a really neat 'bathtub' in the rapids that the kids would certainly love. As an added bonus there is a trail from the campsite back to a beautiful waterfall. (you could also access this off a spur trail of the portage.) There is also a beach on Swan lake if you're up for a day trip.

those are good trip reports. Thanks for posting them

Was also considering Nina Moose River up to base camp on Agnes. Thought the river would be a cool trip for the kids. Thanks for those reports!

EP 50,

Cross Bay, down long island lake, exit poplar lake, awesome trip short portages, good sites.

I realize this is a dated thread. But, since this question pops up fairly frequently, I decided to post this additional report here. As I have referenced this thread many times.

Maiden voyage exploring the Temperance River flowage

quote TuscaroraBorealis: "I realize this is a dated thread. But, since this question pops up fairly frequently, I decided to post this additional report here. As I have referenced this thread many times.


Maiden voyage exploring the Temperance River flowage "

What a great trip! Were their any beaches? (my kids must have beaches)

quote Canoearoo: "What a great trip! Were their any beaches? (my kids must have beaches)"

Sorry, there was nothing that resembled a beach, or enticing swimming spot, on any of the lakes along the Temperance River flowage. (Baker - South Temperance)

We didn't run across anything on Burnt lake either, however this lake at least looked like it may offer that possibility. Or perhaps one of the other 'fire' lakes does???

quote TuscaroraBorealis: "

quote Canoearoo: "What a great trip! Were their any beaches? (my kids must have beaches)"

Sorry, there was nothing that resembled a beach, or enticing swimming spot, on any of the lakes along the Temperance River flowage. (Baker - South Temperance)


We didn't run across anything on Burnt lake either, however this lake at least looked like it may offer that possibility. Or perhaps one of the other 'fire' lakes does???
"

Thanks in part to TB's trip report I just returned from a trip with my 9 yo daughter entering at Baker and camping on Jack. It was an amazing trip.... there were moose everywhere and the walleye fishing was very good on Jack.

Canoearoo...... sorry to say I can confirm about the lack of swimming spots.

quote TuscaroraBorealis: "

quote Canoearoo: "What a great trip! Were their any beaches? (my kids must have beaches)"

Sorry, there was nothing that resembled a beach, or enticing swimming spot, on any of the lakes along the Temperance River flowage. (Baker - South Temperance)


We didn't run across anything on Burnt lake either, however this lake at least looked like it may offer that possibility. Or perhaps one of the other 'fire' lakes does???
"

Thanks in part to TB's trip report I just returned from a trip with my 9 yo daughter entering at Baker and camping on Jack. It was an amazing trip.... there were moose everywhere and the walleye fishing was very good on Jack.

Canoearoo...... sorry to say I can confirm about the lack of swimming spots.

While we didn't have kids along on this trip; (although one could argue we act like kids!)I think this route would also make an awesome family trip. Canoe basecamp
Lots of attractions & while there weren't any beaches, most of the sites on Canoe, Pierz & Crystal are fairly decent for swimming.

A couple of other suggestions.

The Ribbon Rock

Seeking September solitude

Another family friendly option would be exploration of the Kawishiwi triangle. For the most part there are short easy portages, lots of nice campsites, good fishing & great scenery. But, it is a popular area for just those reasons.

Here's an easy one. Trip report

Much of the area was hit by the Pagami Creek fire but, we thought it was a worthwhile visit.

There is also Sag which is a fairly easy paddle up the Gull River. We did this when our kids were 3 1/2 and 5. We made it to Horseshoe Island, had an excellent spacious site and were able to tour the islands in northen Sag all the way to Munker. We also did day trips over to other sites to swim and fish. It does get tow boat traffic but at that age, the kids welcomed the "company" :).

Just in case you have another similar trip planned for this upcoming summer season, here is a trip report - Nina Moose Agnes trip report. We're only 3 months away from another season.