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Boppasteveg
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Yes, indeed. You have chosen a great time of year to do your trip! My group is headed up on August 23rd...outfitter bunkhouse that night and start paddling in the morning. We will hit our base camp by mid-afternoon and enjoy the next week.
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woodencanvas
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This year my wife and I are planning a 7 day trip starting 9/1 entering 51. This will be our second trip to the BWCA in so many years . The loop goes something like Little Sag, Elton, Fraser, Kekekabic, Knife, Ester, Sag then back down to 51 via Seagull. Starting the trip on labor day weekend was all we could swing this year. Is this route going to be extremely crowded? Any spots on the proposed loop to avoid at this time due to traffic? What is the weather usually like in early September, probably a plan for everything time of year i'm assuming.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
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mjmkjun
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If you find it too crowded this year go in the weekend following Labor Day holiday next year. That 2nd week makes a difference.
September has early darkness which beckons glow of campfires.
When September weather is fine it's downright glorious.
Two years ago I had a Mudro entry (restricted) on Sept 7th and for next 5 days the weather was picture perfect. There was that one morning when my toes were cold. Thicker socks for idle time jumped to top of my packing list. Moving around more briskly warmed them up soon enough.
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Northwoodsman
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My favorite month to trip in the BWCA is September. We generally shoot for entering between the 11th and the 15th. It's cooler but comfortable. If you wait until after Labor day weekend you will see a lot less people and more open campsites.
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paddlinjoe
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Less humid, fewer bugs, lovely time of year. Nights will be cooler, but not not likely below freezing for more than an occasional early morning. September is my favorite month for taking a trip.
The weekend may be a little busy, but after Sunday that should reduce quite a bit. I don’t think you’ll feel any crowding after the first day, if you are moving on your first two days. If you were to try and basecamp near the perimeter that would be a different story.
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BuckFlicks
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Like PaddlinJoe said, mid-September is also my favorite time to be in the outdoors. Lighter crowds, fewer bugs, cooler temps. Especially applies to the BWCA.
I don't know how much difference 10-14 days earlier makes as far as bugs and weather go, but I imagine entering on the day before Labor Day will involve a bit of an elevated crowd, with folks trying to get "one more weekend" in... but since you're putting in on Sunday, that might put you between the entering crowd and the exiting crowd. Not really an expert, as we usually wait until mid-September specifically to avoid the Labor Day crowd (if there is one.)
I'm envious.... great time of year to be in the BWCA... but I'm planning an extended solo road trip around the western states to experience the national parks and forests around that time, so I'm not TOO envious.
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straighthairedcurly
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For the last 3 years, our family could only get up there on Labor Day weekend. I love the weather that time of year and there are generally few to no mosquitoes. Still some biting flies. We have never felt like it was overly crowded and we were always able to find a campsite without any trouble. The very best sites were usually taken, but we aren't fussy. One year we did Kawishiwi R. out of Lake One. Another year we went in at Meeds for a loop, and last year we did the Trout lake, Pine lake area (had to basecamp due to my healing ankle fracture).
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AmarilloJim
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yogi59weedr: "After so many years of June trip, I e got to change this year to the fall.Im thinking of (hopefully) a early to mid Sept. Gotta start collecting fishing info as I'm sure they are in different spots compared to june"
I catch a lot of my LT in 40-60' that time of year.
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woodencanvas
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Thank you all for your replies, you all told me what I was hoping to hear.
I can't wait to get back out there, I wish that it was next weekend!
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yogi59weedr
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After so many years of June trip, I e got to change this year to the fall.Im thinking of (hopefully) a early to mid Sept. Gotta start collecting fishing info as I'm sure they are in different spots compared to june
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podgeo
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woodencanvas: "Thank you all for your replies, you all told me what I was hoping to hear.
I can't wait to get back out there, I wish that it was next weekend!"
It will be before you know it
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maxxbhp
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The crowds will the worst on the big motor lakes. There's a tab on this site that shows EP usage, Sag and Seagull are always gone for the Friday before Labor day, the rest of the year they're barely half that.
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djwillco
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Doubt you'll be dealing with crowds at all. Very few, if any, people going up for Labor Day weekend are going to be going in as far as Little Sag, Elton, and Kek. Will just be the normal late summer traffic in those lakes. When you get back to Sag and Seagull you'll be well into the first week of September when crowds start to drop way down. Should be a great trip! Love that route and time of year.
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