Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Poplar Loop - Quick, relaxing trip
by TominMpls

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 08/08/2019
Entry Point: Lizz and Swamp Lakes (EP 47)
Exit Point: Skipper and Portage Lakes (EP 49)  
Number of Days: 4
Group Size: 2
Trip Introduction:
When an intended trip to introduce some newbies to the BWCA unraveled, M and I made the most of the permit and the time available to get into the woods for a quick break. At 32 miles single portaging, it was our shortest trip in a long time but a nice break nonetheless.
Part 1 of 5
Day 0 - Grand Marais and Judge CR Magney SP

M and I both had very busy summers, and since she starts high school this fall her time was very constrained. We'd both (separately) already done our long treks for the summer, both backpacking - she'd gone out to the Bob Marshall for two weeks, and I'd taken a week to hike the northernmost hundred miles of the Superior Hiking Trail. Our plan for this trip had originally been a super-easy three-night introduction to the BWCA for my sister and her partner, but when they canceled, M and I decided to set aside our usual planfulness, and use the time to paddle a loop and relax before her busy fall schedule started.

Leaving the Cities in late afternoon, we had dinner in Grand Marais and headed for a "civilized" campsite for the night before entry. On short notice I had managed to get a site at Judge CR Magney State Park for the night before our entry; we've both stayed there before while backpacking the SHT, and it was fun to see it as car campers the night before going into the wilderness. While I don't usually like car camping, CR Magney feels positively luxurious with backcountry gear, and it brought back great memories from the SHT.