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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: SW area of BWCA
 
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riverat
03/05/2023 09:10AM
 
Just wondering if that separate southwest area of the BWCA (Cummings lake area) has a name associated with it. And if many people here camp there.

I always think about camping there and then opt for a trip somewhere else for whatever reason.

Riverat
 
schweady
03/06/2023 09:48AM
 
That would be the Trout Lake Unit. There's the Main Unit, of course, and then the Vento Unit to the NE of the Gunflint Trail.

 
riverat
03/06/2023 03:16PM
 
Thanks for all the info.
I think I'll plan to make this area my next trip destination.


Riverat
 
TreeBear
03/06/2023 11:06AM
 
Yep. Lot's of opportunities for hard-won solitude. Also a comparatively recent (into the 70s) logging history in there. As a result, there is a lot of trash (I guess some of it is artifacts now) just off of routes. Thankfully that's not visible from the canoe routes usually. There's still quite the network of old roads easy enough to follow around. That said, the solitude is pretty amazing. The Crab/Cummings stretch can be busy at times, but all the smaller stuff is pretty quiet. I have entered via Crab/Cummings, Big Moose, Big Moose Trail, Slim, South Little Indian, and hiked a bunch off the North Arm Ski Trails (back to Ole and Coxey Pond.) There's a lot of interesting history to explore. A high percentage of the longest portages in the BW are over there, but that's the admission fee to quiet.
 
YetiJedi
03/05/2023 12:49PM
 
Yes, I have entered through the Crab Lake entry point and been to Crab, Lunetta, Korb, Cummings, etc. Beautiful area. Easy to find solitude. Good fishing. Lots of wildlife...but those same descriptors can be used for a lot of the BWCA. :)


There are other entry points to the southwest area besides Crab but I have not been to them. You probably already know this but you can review the trip reports to any entry points including this area and you will get a good idea of what to expect.


To answer your other question, no, I am not aware of any formal names for this specific area of the BWCA except the individual entry points.