BWCA Route Recommendations Boundary Waters Group Forum: Solo Tripping
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outdooraddict
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06/23/2015 08:30AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
So I am thinking I want to give the Solo thing a try. I have a prism, so now I have to justify having it with my wife ;).

I am thinking a nice short 3-4 day trip for my first adventure. I was thinking I could do something this fall where I go out before we meet up with a group for another 3-4 day trip (I can't bring myself to be in the BWCA area for less than a week!).

I would go out on my trip, then come back for a day and meet up with the group for the next excursion.

Things I want for the solo would be more of a hard pressing loop, I think the busier I can keep myself the better off I would be, where as with a group I prefer the base camp, fish on and off and just relax type trips.

Everything is in the infant stage, and that's why i am looking for ideas.

Thanks!
 
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06/23/2015 08:44AM  
Baker to South Temperance, Cherokee, Sawbill then back to Baker, I did this route last fall, I had 1 layover day for wind on Sawbill. You will enjoy the solo thing.
 
OldGoat
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06/23/2015 10:22AM  
Yep -- lots of good routes out of Sawbill and surrounding area. My first solo was Kawishiwi to Malberg and back. Well traveled route in case of trouble but pretty country. Part of this is now along a burn area which is interesting to watch as it grows back.

Another option would be to have Sawbill outfitters shuttle you to Kawishiwi and follow the Lady Chain back.

Goat
 
06/23/2015 11:19AM  
quote OldGoat:Another option would be to have Sawbill outfitters shuttle you to Kawishiwi and follow the Lady Chain back.Goat"
Good route, seen 3 moose and a wolf this spring on the lady chain route.
 
outdooraddict
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06/24/2015 11:04AM  
Thanks, I will dig more into those routes. I am used to going out of Ely, but always willing to try other areas.
 
06/24/2015 11:44AM  
quote housty9: "
quote OldGoat:Another option would be to have Sawbill outfitters shuttle you to Kawishiwi and follow the Lady Chain back.Goat"
Good route, seen 3 moose and a wolf this spring on the lady chain route."


Great, now Lindylair will really be pressing for a route change...I hope he doesn't read this.
 
outdooraddict
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06/24/2015 03:06PM  
quote housty9: "
quote OldGoat:Another option would be to have Sawbill outfitters shuttle you to Kawishiwi and follow the Lady Chain back.Goat"
Good route, seen 3 moose and a wolf this spring on the lady chain route."


This has my interest, I have never had the chance to see any Moose or anything other than Grouse up there :)
 
outdooraddict
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07/08/2015 08:17AM  
How much time would you allow yourself to do the Lady Chain, starting from Kawishiwi and ending on Sawbill? (I would like to throw a little fishing in, if there are good lakes along the way)

I am thinking 4 days should be a relatively easy paddle with enough down time to relax a bit?
 
07/08/2015 12:31PM  
quote outdooraddict: "How much time would you allow yourself to do the Lady Chain, starting from Kawishiwi and ending on Sawbill? (I would like to throw a little fishing in, if there are good lakes along the way)

I am thinking 4 days should be a relatively easy paddle with enough down time to relax a bit?"
Not sure on the fishing, but 4 days should give you plenty of time, I traveled early till about 4:00 and was through there in 2 days on my 2 week trip, I seen the moose and calf on Beth and I seen a moose and wolf at the 1st portage out of Polly at the end where the river starts, enjoy your trip.
 
07/08/2015 04:26PM  
quote outdooraddict: "How much time would you allow yourself to do the Lady Chain, starting from Kawishiwi and ending on Sawbill? (I would like to throw a little fishing in, if there are good lakes along the way)

I am thinking 4 days should be a relatively easy paddle with enough down time to relax a bit?"


Four days would be about perfect. I did it in 3 without fishing and I'm far from athletic. If I were to do it again I would go Sawbill to Kawishiwi. From memory, there is a beaver dam and fast water just west of Knight lake(or is McKnight?) that was a pain in the ass going upstream but would be no problem going down. Also, are you aware of the rock garden and the water channel that the CCC cleared out back in the day? The channel is on the North side of the river about a mile west of Hazel.
 
boundarywatersguy57
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07/08/2015 06:45PM  
I've done a number of solo trips, each has been to different entries, part of what I enjoy up there, seeing something new each time. Traveling is good, but doing base camping with time to reflect, meditate, and enjoy the beauty has been the best. It has allowed me, in the stillness of the day, to sit and enjoy the moment. To have a beaver almost walk right up to me, a timber wolf get within 30 feet before realizing I was there, and "down" time, which seems to be hard for many of us to do.
Go for the adventure and try different entries and methods of travel until you find what works. I also enjoy the interaction with others up there. Lots of great people in a great place for adventures.
 
07/08/2015 08:32PM  
Four days should be enough to cover the miles with some down time. I do like my down time though and usually add in some layover days in case of "weather". I enjoy using them whether I have weather or not ;).
 
outdooraddict
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07/09/2015 07:50AM  
Awesome, now I'll have to see if the other group wants to meet somewhere around there for the 2nd portion ;). Maybe I won't be able to make it until this fall and I'll have to pull off 2 short trips!
 
07/09/2015 08:09AM  
I had looked at that route and just off the top of my head, I'll say it's 32 miles double portaging.
 
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