Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Little Gabbro 2024
by CSB

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe
Entry Date: 06/24/2024
Entry & Exit Point: Little Gabbro Lake (EP 33)
Number of Days: 4
Group Size: 4
Trip Introduction:
My 3 sons and I just got back from our annual BWCA trip. Initially, we had a permit for Little Vermillion but due to flooding we changed to Little Gabbro. The very end of the portage in is flooded and muddy but not too bad. Expect to get your feet wet. With the water levels so high, it was a little harder to read the maps because islands that are pictured no longer exist and some inlets or bays are now much larger. The currents from the flooded waters made it really challenging and so we didn’t go as far as we had planned. Rather than take the portage toward Clear Lake, we headed east toward Gabbro and ended up setting up base camp at campsite 4, where Little Gabbro and Gabbro meet. You can see the campsite across the way and people staying there. You can’t hear them though. We had a lot of traffic from people portaging due to the high water levels and desire to avoid the new rapids on Little Gabbro. We really liked the campsite because it’s on the tip of the peninsula so you have a good breeze and views. There are 2 nice sized tent pads which were perfect for us. The latrine leaves to be desired but such is life. Bald eagles and snapping turtles visited as well as some very tame chipmunks.