I need some suggestions on where to go in 2014.
I need an entry point off the Gunflint Trail or Sawbill.
I will be entering at the end of July after the Grand Marais Dragon boat festival either Sunday or Monday.
I want to go in for 5 to 6 nights and do a loop. A small loop as I want to travel every other day.
I would prefer the portage landings to be rock free or easy to land.
I like fewer longer portages rather than many small portages.
This will be my second solo.
I don't fish but do take lots of photos. Maybe some waterfalls to see.
Oh and few people if that's possible at the end of July.

Any suggestions?

Temperance River Loop out of Sawbill (Sawbill-Cherokee-Temperance-Burnt-Smoke-Sawbill)

End of July... Few people... Tough one. I'd go to the east end. Having a brain freeze moment, but near Little John Lake and doing a loop from there. Draw back is long east / west lakes make for trouble in windy conditions. You could make it to Johnson falls. If on the border like on Mountain there are sometimes motors on the Canadian side. I love the Royal River and South Fowl Lake

Look at the Sawbill - Alton - Beth - Grace - Ella area.

You could make a small loop of Beth - Grace - Ella, or do an out and back to Ella.

Camp on Beth the first nigh or two - there are 4 campsites. I have camped there twice in peak season and never seen all the campsites full. You will see a fair amount of traffic but most people just pass through. Then do the long portage to Grace and on to Ella and then camp on Ella - lots of solitude there. Ella is a small lake that doesn't get much attention. Travel back to Sawbill the last day.

You will see other people, hard to find total solitude anywhere near Sawbill that time of the summer. Have been to Ella twice and never seen anyone there.

Portage between Alton and Beth is moderately difficult as you are climbing. Portage between Beth and Grace is long but not overly hard. Portage between Grace and Ella can be hard to find, poorly maintained, narrow, not great. Portage between Beth and Ella is not too hard, just narrow and wet in a couple spots if its been raining but you can through. Doesn't get used that much.

Good luck!

Forgot to mention that the center section of the Lady Chain route, which is anchored on the east end by Sawbill probably fits your profile of short but more frequent portages. Problem is that you have to do the longer ones to get to this area from either Kawishiwi or Sawbill. Hazel Lk would probably be a good place to look for solitude once you get there.

Off the Gunflint you could enter at 44-Ram Lake and go over the Misquah Hills portage out of Little Trout Lake. Then loop through Horseshoe, Gaskins, Winchell, back down to Brule. Head east through Vernon, Swan and out at EP 43 - Bower Trout. It is a short walk back to your vehicle at 44.

Few people at the end of July is a challenge. Quetico?

Ok so I picked the Lizz Lake Entry and ended up on Horseshoe for 2 nights then over to Gaskin and back to Caribou for 2 nights. I entered on July 18th and came out last week Thursday. I was on Gaskin the night of the storm. I did fine and my canoe did not suffer any big scratches. Loved my second solo. Looking forward to another solo next year. I liked moving every 2 days. I bought a new Northstar Magic this spring and love it. After the trip I came out and stayed in Grand Marais 3 more nights and raced with my dragon boat team. We did not do so well at the race but we had a blast in Grand Marais.

Glad you had a good trip,lets see some pictures, can't wait for my 2nd solo of the year.

quote Minnesotian: "
Temperance River Loop out of Sawbill (Sawbill-Cherokee-Temperance-Burnt-Smoke-Sawbill)


"

+1, this is a good route for you. i've done it, really nice.
oops, guess i should have read on, lol.

quote jeepgirl: "Ok so I picked the Lizz Lake Entry and ended up on Horseshoe for 2 nights then over to Gaskin and back to Caribou for 2 nights. I entered on July 18th and came out last week Thursday. I was on Gaskin the night of the storm. I did fine and my canoe did not suffer any big scratches. Loved my second solo. Looking forward to another solo next year. I liked moving every 2 days. I bought a new Northstar Magic this spring and love it. After the trip I came out and stayed in Grand Marais 3 more nights and raced with my dragon boat team. We did not do so well at the race but we had a blast in Grand Marais.
"

gm is my fav. harbor town.