Hello All,

I have been to the Boundary Waters two times already and have loved both trips. My friends and I did pre-planned routes through Sawbill both years (Frost River Loop and one starting at Kawashiwi). This year, though, we decided to plan our own route. We have 4 members in the group and we are traveling with canoes. I was wondering if this route that I have created would be feasible to do in six days.

Start:

Gunflint Lodge ->
Magnetic Lake -> 18r
Pine River -> 115r
Clove Lake -> 48r -> 72r
Granite Bay -> 25r
Granite River -> 34r
Gneiss Lake -> NONE
Maraboeuf Lake -> 27r -> 39r
Saganaga Lake -> 12r
Swamp Lake -> 79r
Ottertrack Lake -> 16r
Knife Lake -> 39r
South Arm Knife Lake -> 30r
Eddy Lake -> 17r
Jenny Lake -> 14r
Annie Lake -> 16r
Ogish Lake -> 41r
Kingfisher Lake -> 24r
Jasper Lake -> 43r
Alpine Lake -> 97r
Seagull Lake -> Pick Up

It's approximately 806 rods or 2.5 miles of portaging in total, and I believe approximately 52 miles round trip. We wanted to stay hugging the Canadian border for the majority of the trip. I also created an alternate route that cuts in after Ottertrack Lake and goes to Ester Lake.

We are all fairly experienced and physically active.
Any help or advice would be great! Thanks in advance!

The Gunflint to Saganaga portion of your trip, if traveling lightly, can be done in a single day. I know some of the outfitters crew's have done that portion of your trip as a day trip, (though they're not hauling tents, gear, etc..)

Looking at total distances and portaging distances, I don't think you should have too much trouble doing that in 6 days, unless the wind plays havoc with you.

My first trip was just the Seagull to Saganaga portion of your proposed route. It was tough for 3 newbies in a Seneca using lots of car camping gear.

It might be doable for your group but you'd probably have to move every day & pack very lightweight so you can be quick on portages.

Next month I'm taking a buddy and our daughters on just the Gunflint -> Saganaga portion of your route and we're taking a week to cover it.