The difficulty ratings for the routes in this book are subjective. Difficulty is relative. A route that is “most rugged” to one party may be merely “challenging” to another group. An “easier” route to most paddlers may be “most rugged” to an inexperienced group of paddlers who really had no idea what they were getting into when they entered the BWCAW. Two major factors contribute to the difficulty ratings in this book: 1) the average distance paddled per day, and 2) the length, frequency, and difficulty of the portages. An “average” day in the BWCAW includes about 8 to 10 miles of paddling, interrupted by five or six portages, measuring 50 to 100 rods in length. This should challenge most visitors. Anything less is usually rated “easier.” Trips with a great deal more paddling and/or longer or more frequent portages are rated “most rugged.” The ratings are based on original author Robert Beymer’s 30 years of Boundary Waters travel and his experience with all age groups and experience levels.
Even more subjective is Beymer’s opinion of what constitutes an interesting route and beautiful scenery. You may or may not agree, but still, this is good background information that you may find useful in selecting your route. Beymer clearly prefers tiny creeks, narrow rivers, and smaller lakes, where wind is less likely to be a problem and wildlife is often more visible. Such a route offers a much more intimate natural experience. Beymer also writes about points of interest, such as rock formations and hills that border the lakes. Almost every lake, swamp, and bog in the Boundary Waters is beautiful in its own way. But to Beymer there is nothing more striking than a small or narrow lake surrounded by tall hills or ridges covered by a generous blend of pine, birch, and aspen trees, and trimmed with steep rock ledges or cliffs. Equally pleasing, however, is a tiny, meandering stream littered with lily pads and bordered by a tamarack bog. Why do these opinions matter to you? Because, if a route is described as having lovely scenery, you’ll know what is meant by “lovely.” Over time, you can create your own “best of” list of BWCA entry points and routes.
If fishing is your thing, you’ll appreciate the general comments about the fishing potential for each suggested route. The serious angler will find more information about each lake in Appendix III. All of the 185 BWCAW lakes in this book are listed alphabetically. Data about each lake, obtained from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, include overall size, littoral size (acreage of the lake that is less than 15 feet deep), maximum depth, and the game-fish species that are known to inhabit the lake.
A Note About Portages
Any trip to the BWCAW will require portaging your canoe and packs. Some are so short that the water on your hull may still be dripping when you put the canoe back into the water. Others can be longer than a mile. While many portages are dry and easily traversed, others can be shoe-sucking slogs through bogs and swamps.
Portages require physical strength, balance, and stamina. Using improper technique when lifting a canoe into position when you are tired and spent after a long day of paddling can lead to injuries. Investing in a well-fitting and comfortable portage pad can allow you to keep your mind on the trail and not your sore shoulders.
One rod equals 16.5 feet. Since that is roughly the length of most canoes, it is the unit of linear measurement in canoe country. Both the Fisher maps and the McKenzie maps use this unit of measurement. Although the maps are topographic, the indicated number of rods tells little about the difficulty of the portages. Long trails may be quite easy, and short ones may be extremely rough. This guide will warn you about the rough ones. You may notice that the length of a portage on the maps sometimes differs from the length in this book. While traveling throughout the BWCAW, Beymer often took his own measurements. On the shorter portages, he counted and converted the steps required. Sometimes they are simply estimates based on his 30 years of experience walking across portages. The distances found in this book may vary slightly from those found on maps and other resources, but author Beymer’s distances reflect personal experience.
National Forest Campgrounds
In the introduction to each entry point in this guidebook, the closest United States Forest Service campground is included, since you may want to camp near your starting point the night before you depart on a trip. You may reserve campsites up to six months in advance (12 months for group facilities) at 17 campgrounds in the Superior National Forest by calling the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) at (877) 444-6777. Or use www.recreation.gov to make reservations.
A $10.00 fee is charged for call center reservations. Reservations made through the www.recreation.gov website require a $9.00 fee.
When to Visit the Boundary Waters
What’s the best time of year to schedule a BWCAW canoe trip? That depends on your priorities. (See Climate in Chapter 1.) If seeing wildlife ranks high on your list, where you travel may be more important than when. The same applies to those who seek quiet seclusion. But you can increase your chances of both viewing wildlife and not viewing other people by your choice of an entry date, as well as by your choice of an entry point.
Over the past 30 years, there has been a substantial increase in the number of visitors to the BWCAW. More than 250,000 people visited in 2007. You can increase your chance of avoiding other people and obtaining a BWCAW permit by considering the following: the busiest days for entry are Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. If possible, start your trip on one of the other four days of the week. Memorial Day weekend, Independence Day weekend, Labor Day weekend, and the month of August are the busiest times.
TRAVEL PERMITS, FEES, AND RESERVATIONS
Obtaining Permits
Permits are required year-round for all day and overnight visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Every visitor in the Boundary Waters is required to have a BWCAW travel permit in possession. The permit allows you to enter the wilderness only on the starting date and through the entry point specified on the permit. Once in the wilderness, you are free to travel where you desire, as long as applicable motor-use restrictions are followed.
There are currently two categories of permits; quota and non-quota self-issuing.
QUOTA PERMITS: Entry quotas were established for overnight campers in order to reduce competition for the limited number of established campsites and to avoid unauthorized camping on undeveloped sites. The daily limit at each entry point (from as low as 1 to as many as 27) is based on the number of campsites available to visitors using the routes served by the entry point. The quotas pertain only to overnight campers during the five-month May through September canoeing season.
Permits may only be picked up the day before, or the day of entry. Permits are not transferable. Since there are a limited number of quota permits available for each entry, reservations are highly recommended. Quota permits can only be issued by Forest Service issuing stations or by designated issuing stations.
NON-QUOTA SELF-ISSUING PERMITS: Non-quota or self-issued permits are required year-round for all overnight visitors entering the BWCAW between October 1 and April 30. The self-issuing permit forms are available by mail, at any Superior National Forest office, and at the main BWCAW entry points. Although formal reservations are not required, visitors need to follow the self-issuing permit instructions, complete the form and carry the permit throughout the duration of their trip.
Overnight User Fee
A fee is charged for camping in the Boundary Waters. Adults are charged $16 per person per trip. Youths under 18 and Golden Age or Golden Access Passport holders are charged $8 per person per trip. For visitors who plan to use the BWCAW more than four times during the same summer, seasonal fee cards may be obtained at a cost of $64 per adult or $32 for youth and Golden Age or Golden Access Passport holders. The Seasonal Fee Card may be purchased by mail or by phone from the BWCAW Reservation Center (see Reservations), or in person after May 1 from any Forest Service Permit Issuing