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Thirty-four entry points are found in the eastern half of the BWCAW, including 28 canoeing entry points that are described in the companion volume, Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Eastern Region. One entry point (71) is for paddlers who enter the Boundary Waters from Canada.
Each entry point description begins with the daily quota (the maximum number of overnight travel permits that can be issued each day to groups using the entry point) and the name and contact information of the closest Forest Service ranger station.
Morning at Knife Lake
Further discussion includes the entry point’s location, how to get there, public campgrounds nearby, amount of motorized use (if any) through the entry point, and other comments of interest to canoeists.
Following the discussion of an entry point are suggestions for two routes from that entry point. The first is a short route that can be completed by most groups in two to four days. The second is a longer route that takes four to eight days. It is important to understand that this book is merely an accumulation of suggestions. It does not describe all possible routes through the BWCAW. Quite the contrary, the routes that you could take are virtually infinite in number. You may wish to follow only a part of one route, or you may wish to combine two or more routes. Do not feel bound to the routes exactly as they are described in this book. You may follow them precisely as written, but you may also use the suggestions simply as a basis for planning your own route.
The introductory remarks about each route tell you: 1) the minimum number of days to allow; 2) the length of the route; 3) the number of different lakes, rivers, and creeks encountered, as well as the number of portages en route; 4) the difficulty (easier, challenging, most rugged), 5) the maps needed for the route, and 6) general comments, including to whom the route should appeal. Then each route is broken down into suggested days, giving the sequence of lakes, streams, and portages, followed by points of special interest.
EXAMPLE: Day 2 (13 miles): Little Trout Lake, p. 376 rods, Little Indian Sioux River, p. 32 rods, river, p. 32 rods, river, p. 12 rods, river, rapids, river, rapids, river, p. 70 rods, river, p. 40 rods, river, p. 34 rods, river, p. 35 rods, river, p. 120 rods, Otter Lake. You will find this day to be a sharp contrast to the prior day of paddling on large lakes… etc.
EXPLANATION: On the second day of this route, you will paddle across Little Trout Lake and then portage 376 rods to the Little Indian Sioux River. You will follow the river to Otter Lake, negotiating eight portages and some rapids along the way. You will make camp on Otter Lake at a campsite that is marked by a red dot on the map. Comments about the day’s route follow the outlined sequence of lakes, rivers, and portages.
Most of the routes suggested are “loops”—they begin and end at (or within walking distance of) the same location. There is no need for car shuttles between two points. Other routes start at one entry point and end at another entry point far enough away to necessitate a shuttle. The name of each route indicates whether the trip is a “loop” (The Eddie Falls Loop) or requires a “shuttle” (The Three Rivers Route). If a shuttle is required, drop off your vehicle at the end of the route prior to starting the journey. That generally works better than scheduling a predetermined pick-up time at the end of your trip. If your parked vehicle is waiting for you, you won’t be under any pressure to arrive at a particular time. Make sure to park in approved areas, lock your doors, and remember which hidden pack pocket holds your keys.
Of course, any route may be made more difficult by completing it in fewer days than recommended, or made easier by adding days. If fishing is a priority for your trip, you should consider adding at least one day for every three days suggested in this guide. For longer trips, you may also want to add layover days to your schedule. The longer you are trekking, the more likely you are to encounter strong wind, foul weather, sickness, or injury that could slow your progress. (Always carry an extra supply of food for just that reason.) Furthermore, after three or four days of rugged trekking, you may simply want to rest for a day before continuing.
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,
