Taking my 10 yr. old boy on a 3-4 day trip on the Ely side in June. Looking for good scenery, exploring, fishing and easier portages. The Grand Portage was my first portage ever when I was 16. Let's just say I want to have a significantly less intense trip taking my boy.

If you haven't done so already? Check out this thread. Maybe it'll give you a few good ideas.

Thanks for the thread. Some of those looked like good trips, but I think all of them were on the East side. If you come across and good ones in the west, please let me know. Thank you.

quote jobacus: "Thanks for the thread. Some of those looked like good trips, but I think all of them were on the East side. If you come across and good ones in the west, please let me know. Thank you."

Just a friendly FYI. 3 of them started on the Ely (west) side.
The Ribbon Rock, Big Moose & a little girl and Seeking September solitude.

Awesome that you are going to do this. Nothing better than 1 on 1 time with your kid in the bwca. I've done several daddy/daughter trips with each of my girls. My 10 year old gets to do her 4th trip this year. All of my trips w/ my girls have been to the East side or Sawbill area so I don't have much for Ely side suggestions.

But, something from the Ely side that would be great w/ you and your son would be doing the Kawishiwi Triangle area entering at EP 32 South Kawishiwi River. I did my first solo trip a couple of years ago entering from 32 and I did the Kawishiwi Triangle. You could do the easy loop or basecamp and do an out and back trip. The river has good fishing, good scenery, and it's all small water which is nice with a kid in the bow. You can also get to the area from Farm Lake, Triangle/North Kawishiwi, Lake One, and Little Gabbro entry points.

Each of my girls can't wait to get back to the bwca for their next trip.

Little Indian Sioux north could work, and also Slim Lake.

Got it. Thank you.

All those look good. Thanks for the input.

Jacobus,

Any trip will do, kids are resilient. My girls did the "short" Angleworm on a 90 degree day at ages 8 and 7. Pick what you want to do and do it. I advise on keeping it short with low expectations.

One trip I always point to is a less than wilderness trip, the Grassy Lake circle route. There is a 320, but it is an easy, smooth, wide trail. Other than that, it's a great little 3 day route that you are always close to civilization, no permit needed and very little traffic.

Like I said, any trip is good with kids. Making sure they are used to carrying a pack prior to the trip helps:)


John

Wood
Numbered Chain
+1 for LIS
Moose to Ensign
East Bearsmin to Alder
Poplar to Caribou

Just a few ideas to add to the good suggestions above.

I think that on the Ely side for an easier trip with fishing, it's hard to beat Little Gabbro to Gabbro that time of year. It can be really tough to get a permit for that entry, though.

There is good walleye in the rapids along that route if the water is high enough. We had great luck in mid-June one year with high water.

My now 10 year first trip was at 7 years old. We entered and moose lake thru wind lake and exited at wood lake. It was a great loop with enough portages to get a feel for it but not burn him out.

getting excited - taking my 5 year old and 7 year old up on the 21st. did a practice camp for 5 days on lake pomme de terre MO. they practiced hanging a bear bag, did some water purification, and practiced our casting. Listening to them talk about the trip is pretty neat. We are going to day trips from East Bearskin, and then 4 days on Crocodile. Staying at Bearskin Lodge for 4 days and 2 days in camper cabin. Only concern is the fishing on East Bearskin - many people on site rate it as pretty poor. Any tips or help with East Bearskin lake would be great. Goal is for the boys to catch fish and have fun.

jswamp... sounds like everyone is jacked and ready to go! I can't wait to hear how it goes. You have quite the variety planned for this trip. Nice cabin, rustic cabin, and wilderness camping. I really look forward to hearing about your stay on Crocodile. I should be there w/ my 11 yo about a month after you.

Please report back after the trip.

We stayed on the camper cabin on east bear skin lake and the trail to the lake where it meets the lake; our kids caught a bunch of nice sunnies there.