The Long Way Around: A Clearwater Loop Expedition
by KayakosaurusMike
Trip Type:
Paddling Canoe
Entry Date:
06/04/2026
Entry & Exit Point:
Clearwater Lake (EP 62)
Number of Days:
6
Group Size:
4
Trip Introduction:
The Clearwater Loop was the kind of BWCA adventure that reminds us why we keep coming back to the wilderness. It was a trip filled with incredible scenery, endless stretches of pristine water, challenging miles, and the kind of moments that stay with you long after you leave. From the quiet beauty of the lakes and forests to the excitement of exploring new waters and chasing fish, every part of this journey felt like a true escape from the everyday.
With amazing weather, great company, and countless memories made along the way, this trip had everything we could have asked for. We pushed ourselves, covered a lot of ground, caught plenty of fish, and enjoyed every minute spent in the Boundary Waters. The Clearwater Loop was more than just a route on a map, it was an unforgettable adventure and easily one of the best BWCA trips we’ve ever experienced.
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Day 1 of 6
Thursday, June 04, 2026
John and I left Saint Louis Park around 9:00 that morning and headed north to start another Boundary Waters trip. The goal was to get to Clearwater Lodge before 4:00 so we could check in the day before. The forecast wasn't looking great for the next morning and we wanted to get on the water as early as possible. We made really good time getting to Duluth and decided to stop at Northern Waters Smokehaus in Canal Park for lunch. The sandwiches were awesome. They were definitely expensive but they were worth every penny. I'll have to bring my wife there someday because I know she'd love it too.
After lunch we kept heading up the North Shore and talked about stopping at Castle Danger Brewery for a beer. The closer we got though the more we realized the clock was catching up to us. Clearwater Lodge wasn't going to wait, so we skipped the stop and kept heading north. The rest of the drive went smoothly. Once we turned onto the Gunflint Trail it felt like the outside world slowly disappeared in the rearview mirror. The trees closed in around the road like they were welcoming us into a different world. With every mile the air felt a little cleaner and the noise of everyday life seemed farther away.
We rolled into Clearwater Lodge a little after 3:00, checked in, unloaded the canoe, and got settled into the bunkhouse. Seeing Clearwater Lake for the first time was like getting a preview of everything we'd been looking forward to for months. The water was calm, the pines stood tall along the shoreline, the palisades towering high into the horizon and it finally felt like the trip had begun.
Once everything was unpacked we went looking for some dinner. We drove over to Poplar Haus but forgot it was Wednesday and they were closed. After talking it over we decided to drive back to Grand Marais and finally get the beer we skipped earlier. We stopped at Voyager Brewing and it was well worth the trip. Right around then Kevin and Ryan made it into town so we met up with them, grabbed some burgers, and caught up before heading back.
The rest of the evening was spent getting gear packed, making a few last minute changes, and going over the plan for the morning. The excitement hung in the bunkhouse like the night before Christmas. Before long we were in bed hoping to get a good night's sleep before what we knew would be a long day of paddling.
John and I left Saint Louis Park around 9:00 that morning and headed north to start another Boundary Waters trip. The goal was to get to Clearwater Lodge before 4:00 so we could check in the day before. The forecast wasn't looking great for the next morning and we wanted to get on the water as early as possible. We made really good time getting to Duluth and decided to stop at Northern Waters Smokehaus in Canal Park for lunch. The sandwiches were awesome. They were definitely expensive but they were worth every penny. I'll have to bring my wife there someday because I know she'd love it too.
After lunch we kept heading up the North Shore and talked about stopping at Castle Danger Brewery for a beer. The closer we got though the more we realized the clock was catching up to us. Clearwater Lodge wasn't going to wait, so we skipped the stop and kept heading north. The rest of the drive went smoothly. Once we turned onto the Gunflint Trail it felt like the outside world slowly disappeared in the rearview mirror. The trees closed in around the road like they were welcoming us into a different world. With every mile the air felt a little cleaner and the noise of everyday life seemed farther away.
We rolled into Clearwater Lodge a little after 3:00, checked in, unloaded the canoe, and got settled into the bunkhouse. Seeing Clearwater Lake for the first time was like getting a preview of everything we'd been looking forward to for months. The water was calm, the pines stood tall along the shoreline, the palisades towering high into the horizon and it finally felt like the trip had begun.
Once everything was unpacked we went looking for some dinner. We drove over to Poplar Haus but forgot it was Wednesday and they were closed. After talking it over we decided to drive back to Grand Marais and finally get the beer we skipped earlier. We stopped at Voyager Brewing and it was well worth the trip. Right around then Kevin and Ryan made it into town so we met up with them, grabbed some burgers, and caught up before heading back.
The rest of the evening was spent getting gear packed, making a few last minute changes, and going over the plan for the morning. The excitement hung in the bunkhouse like the night before Christmas. Before long we were in bed hoping to get a good night's sleep before what we knew would be a long day of paddling.
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