BWCA Granite River - Larch Creek (EP 80) Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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plexmidwest
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11/07/2016 03:50PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I have read some good reports on the Granite River route and interested in trying this trip out next May or June. Chime in with your experience or tips for campsites & fishing.
Thanks - John!
 
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SaganagaJoe
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11/07/2016 07:03PM  
Work the area near the "bend" of Maraboeuf Lake. The first campsite from the point is a nice site with decent shore fishing for bass, and an easy paddle to Devil's Elbow for even better bass fishing. The walleye hang out around the reef that is marked by a tiny little island. Timing is everything for this spot but they are there. See picture. The south side of the island is where we caught them.

The campsite on the island right outside Saganaga Falls is a beautiful site with a great view. You can see a large lake home on the far Canadian shore, which may make or break it for you.

Are you getting a tow in from Saganaga Falls? From my experience it's not a bad paddle at all, maybe 2-3 hours. I have it on good authority also that James Bay is a good walleye spot in the spring, but have never tried it myself.

I can only speak to the Horsetail Rapids portage and the Sag Falls portage. We had to wade the canoe on the north end of the Horsetail Rapids portage, there are small rapids there. The Sag Falls portage ascends up a rock face right near the Maraboeuf end.

Hope this helps.

JATFOMike
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11/07/2016 08:48PM  
We did it early June 2015....nice route....pretty easy....we launched from gunflint lake, larch Creek will shave an hour or more off your first day....great fishing throughout the entire route with some nice campsites....we came in on the tail end of a couple big mayfly hatches which slowed the fishing down early on, but by mid week, we were back on the fish.....it's a very easy 3-4 day trip....we thru in a couple of layover days for fishing, etc.

Mike
SaganagaJoe
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11/07/2016 11:26PM  
I seem to remember that on Larch Creek water levels can sometimes be an issue, but in May/June that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Couple of beaver dams to negotiate as I recall.
11/08/2016 06:40AM  
Campsite on north end of Clove has a nice sandy beach, don't know how much that might matter in May or June, but great for swimming in July.

This route has a few small rapids that look tempting to run, take it from me and use the portages.

Fish off the south side of the small island at the south end of Devil's Elbow for walleye. We also caught a few nice pike one the north, (downstream) side of Little Rock Falls.

If I remember, our map showed the portage at Sag Falls on the east side of the falls, but the portage is actually on the west side, over a rock face just like SaganagaJoe said.
SaganagaJoe
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11/08/2016 07:32PM  
quote johndku: "

If I remember, our map showed the portage at Sag Falls on the east side of the falls, but the portage is actually on the west side, over a rock face just like SaganagaJoe said."


There reportedly is a portage on the other side (I believe Mocha said it was there) but I believe she also said the west side (the one I used) is easier.
11/09/2016 01:39PM  
saganagajoe's circled campsite is actually on the other side of the peninsula. Rock shelf landing. Stayed there last August. I have a trip report from my week on the Granite titled "Dads & Daughters 2016."

If you go in early August then do yourself a favor and paddle up the shore to the North of the campsite a little then hike up the hill. Blueberry heaven.
MikeinMpls
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11/10/2016 11:45AM  
I've done the Granite River route at least 10 times. It's been my "go-to" route for people I bring in for the first time.

There is so much I can say about this route that I couldn't type it all here. However, here a few points:

1. Put in on Gunflint Lake, not Larch Creek. Larch Creek has unpredictable water levels and pullovers. Larch Creek is a good option if you want to base camp on Clove Lake or shorten your trip. But the waterfalls between Magnetic Lake and Clove are stunning and well worth seeing. Plus, you'll get to see the house on Gallagher's Island. There are lots of fishing spots below the waterfalls.

2. Fishing in the narrows between Devil's Elbow Lake and Marabouef is spectacular for bass. The two largest bass I've every caught were brought in within 30 minutes of each other in that spot. There's a bit of a current there, due to the narrowing of the lake, so you'll have anchor or tie your boat to a root or stump on the bank, which is quite high and steep.

3. The campsite adjacent to the fishing spot in #2 above has a fine vista, but is beat up and very popular. Had a bear come through camp right in the middle of breakfast in during a 1987 (I think) trip. That bear has probably moved on by now. There are a couple of sites in the south end of Marabouef tucked into small inlets that are nice, and their location muffles sounds coming from paddlers going through the lake on their way to Sag.

4. Take the Horsetail Rapids portage. Horsetail Rapids are Class 4. I've run them. Once.

5. Lots of rock bass below Sag Falls.

6. Do not take Sag lightly. It is a huge lake that can get very scary. Also keep in mind that boats are allowed and they usually don't much care about their wake, regardless of how close they come to you.

7. There are lots of silver International Boundary markers on the route. They're kinda cool to find.

8. Clove Lake is a nice place to stay the first day. The northernmost site (IIRC) has a sand beach. In fact, back in the mid-80s, it even had a real picnic table. Of course that's long gone.

9. The area got hit pretty heavily in the fire several years ago. I went on a solo the year after the fire (2005-2006ish time frame). The fire was very hot, so it jumped a lot, leaving some areas completely burned and some areas with very little damage. Might be good for finding moose, though it's a fairly heavily travelled route.

10. This route is part of the Voyageur's Highway, so it is steeped in tradition and history.

11. There is a portage to the north of Devil's Elbow Lake that cuts across a spit of land, saving miles going south into Maraboeuf before turning north (it's obvious on the map). Anyway, this portage is entirely in Canada, so technically you'd need a RABC permit. I've taken it once (in 2005) and it was not well maintained. I recommend taking it only if you have run out of time. It might save one or two hours.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Mike
plexmidwest
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11/16/2016 11:17AM  
Some good input folks.
Joe – which campsite are you referring to ‘…first campsite from the point…’? And where are the beaver dams? There’s always fish near beaver dams.
We’ll probably get a tow launch from Sag on exit.
John – is the small island near Devil’s Elbow to the south east of the main peninsula, marked 433(1)?
Mike – we will be putting in on Gunflint Lake, not Larch Creek, my mistake. Where is the campsite adjacent to the fishing spot in #2 above? I’ve done Sag a several times, I use caution on the big water. How long would it take from launch on Gunflint to the Clove Lake campsites?
Any other campsite or fishing tips is appreciated. Is late May early June a good timeframe to do this trip, or when are the best conditions?

11/16/2016 12:42PM  
The island we had luck at is the southernmost of the 3 islands that all run in a north-south line...directly north of campsite #428. Sorry, not sure what (433)1 refers to.

I would guess on a normal day about 3 or 3 and 1/2 hours from launching on Gunflint to any Clove Lake sites. My son and I launched from Gunflint EP #57, there's only 2 short portages plus one longer last portage into Clove, I think 100 rods. Our actual time took longer as we were paddling into a strong 20+ mph wind the whole time on Gunflint, and my son isn't a strong paddler yet. Get an early start and you'll avoid that problem.

Be sure to paddle all 360 degrees around Gallagher's Island on the north end of Gunflint Lake and check out the house there. (I don't think you're actually in the Boundary Waters until you get north of Gunflint Lake) As soon as I hit the lottery I'm making an offer.

Our outfitters, (Seagull) have employees that do the Gunflint to Sag Falls trip easily in one day....but they don't have to portage any gear, tents, sleeping bags, etc...just canoes, paddles, a meal or two and any emergency gear. We got picked up at Sag Falls and trip took 3 days at a very, very leisurely pace.

Have a great trip.



MikeinMpls
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11/16/2016 03:40PM  
In response to OP:

Where Devil's Elbow empties into Maraboeuf, there is a narrows. It's right there. If you get to Maraboeuf, you've gone too far. Coming from DE, you'll see a campsite on a high ridge to your left. That's the campsite and the narrows are right there.

I did a solo in 2005 and made it from Gunflint Lodge to my Clove Lake campsite in 2:45. I left Gunflint at 4:45 AM and arrived at the site about 7:30. Though occupied, the campers were up and said they were leaving. I was napping by 10:30. You'll take longer, but even a leisurely pace with some fishing and ogling the sites, you can do it in four hours.

I've done this route in May, June, July, August and September. Preference is up to you. Early season the water is higher, of course, which can make some runnable rapids a bit sporty. The water flowage into Clove Lake from the north sometimes dries up in the summer, though I wouldn't recommend running it at any time. I've done it and put a hole in an aluminum canoe. August finds a lot blueberries, especially adjacent the portages on the river from Magnetic to Clove. I'd say late May is a fine time to do the trip.

I've run most of the rapids on this route, most in my wilder and more confident youth. Use the portages.

I agree with johnkdu...the entire route could be done in one day in a tandem with no gear. I think you'd even still have time for a burger at the end of the trail.

Mike
SaganagaJoe
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11/16/2016 10:23PM  
I'm referring to Campsite 432 as it appears on your map. I attached a picture with the campsite circled to my post also.
plexmidwest
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11/17/2016 11:11AM  
I’m wondering if the first of June would be a busy time. I don’t think I want to go in mid May, the water may be too high for my liking, and late June would likely be busy. Am I correct in thinking this route gets allot of use and will be busy in June & July? Disappointed we’ll miss the blueberry season.

I would like to spend a week on this trip to make it worth the 11 hour drive up there.
If you had to choose the best campsites for a basecamp, which would it be? Fishing would be a major consideration. I assume an aluminum canoe is better than Kevlar on this route?

The campsite numbers on my map above are from the BWCA Entry Point map found this website. The first number is the Campsite number, and the second number is Lake Camp number. Maybe they are numbered differently on other maps?

Thanks for the help guys!
ozarkpaddler
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11/18/2016 07:21PM  
Lots of great info here, not much more I can add, except if there's a heavy North wind at the start, you might launch from the north side of the lake instead of the public landing or Gunflint Lodge? Ask John and Rose from Cross River Lodge to launch from their little beach where the Cross River comes into Gunflint or their place the Lodge. It'll still be windy making the corner into No Fish Bay and Magnetic Lake, but once you get to Gallagher's Island, things will get easier. Prepare for wind on Sag, too!












SaganagaJoe
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11/19/2016 11:03AM  
quote plexmidwest: "I’m wondering if the first of June would be a busy time. I don’t think I want to go in mid May, the water may be too high for my liking, and late June would likely be busy. Am I correct in thinking this route gets allot of use and will be busy in June & July? Disappointed we’ll miss the blueberry season.


I would like to spend a week on this trip to make it worth the 11 hour drive up there.
If you had to choose the best campsites for a basecamp, which would it be? Fishing would be a major consideration. I assume an aluminum canoe is better than Kevlar on this route?


The campsite numbers on my map above are from the BWCA Entry Point map found this website. The first number is the Campsite number, and the second number is Lake Camp number. Maybe they are numbered differently on other maps?


Thanks for the help guys!"


We were fine the last week of June, only saw 1 other party on Maraboeuf if I remember right. The site I recommended is a good base camp because of the close proximity to the walleye spot and Devil's Elbow. I did an aluminum canoe no problem. There's bass/northern all over that area too. Rubber worms work well.

You could do a nice week base camp here, also you have the option of fishing Sag on the way out.
11/20/2016 07:17AM  
We caught a lot of walleye, fishing the Devils Elbow 3 days after the blowdown.
A few years later I couldn't get a nibble. Good fishing at the narrows for smallmouth. I thought the campsite just past the narrows was pretty decent also.
11/20/2016 07:17AM  
We caught a lot of walleye, fishing the Devils Elbow 3 days after the blowdown.
A few years later I couldn't get a nibble. Good fishing at the narrows for smallmouth. I thought the campsite just past the narrows was pretty decent also.
 
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