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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: EP 23 ROUTE IDEAS
 
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Kodak
01/16/2020 10:29AM
 
Too many unknowns with your group to give specific recommendation but Mudro will provide you with numerous routes that start and end on Mudro and require little or no backtracking. Do a map study then plan a rout that can be lengthen or shorten and remember that you are not required to exit on Mudro. Have a plan but make it flexible.


Conditions are unpredictable and effect mood and travel plans. Wind, rain, temperature, campsite availability, insects, injuries, equipment failure, fishing, and other factors may impact your plans. When planning take into account prevailing wind direction, current directions, whether a PMA permit is required, and be aware that you will be entering during black fly season.


My 2 cents.





 
Bushman
01/16/2020 12:05PM
 
We went out of Mudro for my first BWCA trip. Great area. We made it to a campsite just north of Lower basswood Falls by 1:30 in the afternoon.
It was a tough day as the temps reached 90 (August)
Even on a normal day that might be a bit much for anyone that can't handle a really good workout!


From there we were able to see the falls and the pictos just north of there.


We made it up into Crooked lake the next day and visited Table Rock and fished right from shore. We camped in Wednesday Bay for two nights and then headed south out of Friday Bay all the way back to Mudro in one day.


I'm still wanting to go back to Crooked Lake. I loved it.


I would say your biggest issue would be campsite availability.
Horse lake is very popular for base camping as is Fourtown.
We got hosed on the way out because we could not find a campsite from Moosecamp lake all the way through Fourtown. Very long day.


Given your airline reservations I would not rely on having to find a campsite near the exit the day before your flight. Play around and nail down a site 2 days prior so you can be assured of a swift exit.


Most of all have fun and try not to be in a hurry. It happens when you have a destination.
Trip report is available under my name to the left of here.



 
dustytrail
01/16/2020 12:24PM
 
This is one of my favorite entry points. I like to be at the landing around 7:30 or so and go up the Horse River to the falls area. I am normally there by 1 or so. There is a great camp site to the right as you exit the river. I always get this site for a couple nights and then move on. This would be a great place to base camp. Good fishing, falls, pictos, and trails. There are 2 sites here and if they are taken one more portage gets you to several sites. Head back out the same way for your last night. You would be wise to take the first site available for that night. Or If you choose not to base camp move on down Crooked Lake camp close to Friday your second night and then out Friday back to Gun your third night and then Fourtown your last night.
 
Aguynamedjosh
01/16/2020 10:53AM
 
soundguy0918: "Aguynamedjosh: "...Only 4 have paddle experience and out of the 4 I am the only one who has been to the BWCA. I have good navigation skills and will be our trip leader accompanied by my cousin who is retired from the military..."



Of the four, how many are experienced at steering a canoe? It's no problem to put strong rookies with almost no paddling experience in the front seat, but you will be slow moving on the first day if you have a canoe that isn't being steering properly."



3 out of the 4 of us have experience steering.
 
rdgbwca
01/15/2020 08:06PM
 
From Mudro you can make it to Crooked lake via the Horse River. I have read that there are pictographs on Crooked.


In another thread on this forum there are some loops mentioned that begin and end on Mudro. They include going through various parts of Crooked.


Are you more interested in base camping?
 
Aguynamedjosh
01/15/2020 08:13PM
 
rdgbwca: "From Mudro you can make it to Crooked lake via the Horse River. I have read that there are pictographs on Crooked.



In another thread on this forum there are some loops mentioned that begin and end on Mudro. They include going through various parts of Crooked.



Are you more interested in base camping?"



I'm personally more interested in moving around and exploring as much as I can. Two members of my group are "glampers" so I thought base camping may be a good option for them. Plus it looks like you can get to some cool areas from Horse.
 
cyclones30
01/15/2020 08:39PM
 
Horse isn't that far from the EP but with beginners it could be plenty even at your age. You'll just have to see how the group is doing. As for day trips, pick the nicest weather day and head downstream (North) on the Horse River to Basswood River. Turn left and portage around the lower falls and the pictos are on a cliff another mile maybe downstream of there. For the hikers in the group, turn right instead when they hit the Basswood River and leave the canoe at the bottom end of the upper basswood falls portage. Tons of trails, fishing spots from shore, etc. there. It'll be a solid day trip but many do it so it's very possible.
 
soundguy0918
01/16/2020 10:45AM
 
Aguynamedjosh: "...Only 4 have paddle experience and out of the 4 I am the only one who has been to the BWCA. I have good navigation skills and will be our trip leader accompanied by my cousin who is retired from the military..."


Of the four, how many are experienced at steering a canoe? It's no problem to put strong rookies with almost no paddling experience in the front seat, but you will be slow moving on the first day if you have a canoe that isn't being steering properly.
 
lindylair
01/15/2020 10:43PM
 
Head west from Fourtown and up to Fairy or Gun for night one. North from there and see if you can ge the 5 star campsite on Beartrap lake, if not camp on Thunder. Retrace your strokes to Gun Lake and head over to Moosecamp Lake, 3 good campsites. For a different adventure head down the Moosecamp River to Fourtown and find a campsite there. Head out the next day. This might allow for a layover day at the campsite/lake of your choosing but it is a great route. with good fishing, scenic, good campsites and moderate portages.
 
MN_Lindsey
01/16/2020 09:31PM
 
We did option B back in 2015.


Here's my trip report
 
Aguynamedjosh
01/15/2020 07:17PM
 
Looking to get some ideas on potential route choices out of Mudro. 6-8 guys, all under 35, in good shape with good backpacking experience. Only 4 have paddle experience and out of the 4 I am the only one who has been to the BWCA. I have good navigation skills and will be our trip leader accompanied by my cousin who is retired from the military. Our goals for this trip are fishing, wildlife & nature photography (pictographs would be cool) and some would like the ability to hike around.

We are working with a family friend out of Ely Outfitting Company and have the trip planned for the last week of May (arriving the 23 and heading out the 24-29).

A few ideas I had based on trip reviews I had read consist of

A) Mudro, Sandpit, Tin Can, Horse, Fourtown and exit out of Mudro
B) Mudro, Fourtown, Boot, Fairy, Gun & back the same way
C) Go to Horse and basecamp and explore from there

One factor I'm looking at is we fly out of Minneapolis the 29th at 8pm. So my exit needs to be earlier in the morning. Thank you for all the feedback, love this site & excited for an awesome 2020 in the BWCA!
 
Bearpath9
01/15/2020 08:05PM
 
We are doing the Sandpit to Horse route, except we plan to base camp on Horse, if we get the permit, or Tin Can or Fourtown if we don't. We have fishing and a trip to the pictos and Falls on Basswood river on the agenda. Be going in on the 15th of June. Depending on where we basecamp, we have a lot of other options as far as daytrips, though it could involve a bit of portaging.