First solo...East Bearskin to Alder area the first week in September. The location...recommendations from this site as a place for spiritual healing. Choosing East Bearskin Lodge so I can rent a Magic...recommendation of this forum. The other advantage of East Bearskin...I can paddle back in anytime I want = flexibility. Going in fall... recommendation from this site.

Thank goodness for BWCA.com

Good luck. Now the fun really starts with the planning!

What did you come up with for bunk accomidations?
We did a loop out of E Bearskin in October. Here it is in case you need any ideas.

quote cowdoc: "What did you come up with for bunk accomidations?
We did a loop out of E Bearskin in October. Here it is in case you need any ideas."

I wanted to stay at East Bearsking Lodge. The comment they made was that paddlers used the cabins just like a bunkhouse. Well...that's a great deal if there are 4 of you...but when there is only 1...not such a good deal. I thought they would have a per person fee but they don't and their hands are tied because they belong to recreation.gov.

I think I am now leaning towards staying in Grand Marais for the night. For roughly the same price I will get electricity, hot shower, nice breakfast, and only 1/2 an hour up to the lodge. Will give me time to buy a fishing license and get bait/tackle too.

Thanks for the trip report...yup...right where I want to be.

Rob-

I went in East Bearskin in 2011 (a change due to the Pagami Creek wildfire closures). There are two portages into Alder from East Bearskin. Take the one out of the southern arm, not the northern one.

You might want to check out the cost of staying in a bunk house (with showers) at Rockwood Lodge a ways further up the Gunflint Trail. Nice people too!

Rob, I just want to know if "Big Bastard" will be making this trip?

Sounds like a great trip. Have fun!

Goody goody for you. Have a great one, both the planning and the doing and the rethinking.

Have fun planning. I will embarq on my second solo in July in my new Magic.

quote napinch: "Rob, I just want to know if "Big Bastard" will be making this trip?"

Big Bastard won't be making ANY trips if I have any say in it. I am hoping to fit everything in Big Easy for the solo.