I am looking for a sample itinerary, as I have never been farther north than Duluth. My husband and I are planning on spending 5-6 days in the Boundary Waters coming from Minneapolis. All I know if th
I am looking for a sample itinerary, as I have never been farther north than Duluth. My husband and I are planning on spending 5-6 days in the Boundary Waters coming from Minneapolis. All I know if that I want to go to Grand Marais and Ely. Could someone think of a sample trip that I could use?
We want to do a lot of hiking, kayaking, biking, etc. We are in very good shape in terms of the distance we could cover. Any guidance would be very much appreciated.
Hello Kristin- I spent a week canoe camping on Brule Lake in the Boundary Waters with my husband and two teenagers. Brule is a large enough lake that in a weeks time one does not come near to seeing it all. We ended up camping at two different sites and spent one day on another lake after portaging over a 1 1/2 mile trail(rugged). At first, we thought that the thing to do was to plan a route portaging to many lakes, but we were very happy that we chose Brule to spend the week. Remote, super quiet and peaceful, relaxing, a wonderful experience I can't wait to repeat! Good luck with you trip planning. Of course, Mother Nature is the deciding factor on how nice your trip will be in the end. Our next stay on Gunflint Lake in 2000 when the big blowdown decimated several miles of forests was great until the winds struck, the roads were all covered with snapped trees, the power was out for two weeks and our trip was cut short. No one hurt, thank heavens! Good luck planning your trip!
Thank you! I'm glad to hear that it is quiet. It seems that a lot of areas allow motorboats and can be quite busy. I think I will use this for our itinerary!
I LOVE the BWCA! I think you should contact an outfitter in Ely, MN for maps, canoes, itineraries, a guide (if you really think you need one), etc. We did when we went the first time (wanted a 4 day round trip route) and it was perfect! (Can't remember the name of our contact, it was several years ago.) The people there are very knowledgable and passionate about their "skyblue waters" and love help. Just search the internet--there are several reputable outfitters in the Ely area. (I think you may need a permit to enter the area, so be sure to apply early.)
Kristin, while I'm no expert, I summer on one of the BWCAW lakes and have spent weeks and weeks in canoes in the BWCAW. Here's what I know. 1) For Northern Minnesota and similar geographic areas elsewhere (e.g. Southern Ontario), canoes are better than kayaks for almost everyone. Canoes are easier to get into and out of, hold more gear and portage with less difficulty. 2) If you haven't been before, use an outfitter. The Ely tourism board (or whatever it's called) and the Grand Marais tourist info center can give you a list of outfitters. 3) Read some books. Canoeing Wild Rivers by Cliff Jacboson is an excellent book. While it's about expeditions to the far north, much of the advice fits the near north equally. 4) Canoe paddles make a difference. When I paddle, we're on the water for about 10 hours a day paddling 45 strokes a minute. That means that if you have a 2 pound paddle, during the course of those 10 hours, you'd life 27 tons, 54,000 pounds. My paddles weigh about 14 ounces. Do the math. 5) In my opinion the best outfitter in Ely is Piragis. On the Gunflint Trail (out of Grand Marais) there are several excellent outfitters... Voyageur, Seagull, Hungry Jack and Gunflint. I like the people at Hungry Jack and Voyageur. Whoever you contact, ask about the paddles. It's important. 6) Plan for rain. Plan with the right rain gear and prepare mentally. Some of my most enjoyable times on the water have been in rain and snow. Attitude makes a difference. Hint: If it's raining, paddle. Don't waste a rainy day in camp. Lay over days should be days with beautiful weather. 7) Regarding hiking. Google "The Superior Hiking Trail" for information. The visitor centers can give you information. 8) If you really want to go hiking there are two "must reads". Lost in the Wild by Cary Griffith and The Complete Walker by Colin Fletcher (don't bother with the most recent edition -- get the 3rd edition).
If you decide to do a canoe trip on your own without using an outfitter, buy the books by Robert Beymer for routing information.
Last bit of advice... Grand Marais is a much more beautiful town than Ely which might influence your decision about what end of the BWCAW to visit.
Kristin: I've canoed the BWCA numerous times. You really need to use an outfitter; I always used Canadian Border outfitters out of Ely, and they are excellent. They have a bunkhouse for the night before the trip and a restaurant for a good breakfast. Also, you can purchase detailed portage maps through them (or any outfitter). Plus you will need good advice on routes. I have also gone out of Grand Marais but prefer Ely. You will need to act now to secure permits as the BWCA is extremely busy. Good luck.
We second the comments of Steele 1580. We prefer to enter the Boundary Waters off of the Gunflint Trail (vs Ely) and recommend Hungry Jack Outfitters. Nice folks who really know the backcountry; they will help you plan a great backcountry canoe trip at reasonable cost. Definitely use canoes, not kayaks, for reasons previously cited. Hungry Jack also has a bunkhouse for pre-canoe trip overnight and/or two cabins where you can clean up and relax for a day or two at the end of your trip. if you like. Grand Marais, on Lake Superior at the beginning of the Gunflint Train, is a fun town in which to spend a day. Check out the fudge shop!
Take the old hightway along Lake Superior on your drive up from Duluth to Grand Marais. Allow time to stop at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park to tour the lighthouse and lighthouse keepers home. (You can camp there, too, in relatively secluded cart-in campsites; we like site #15; reserve in advance) and Gooseberry Falls State Park, where you can cool off in the falls.
Just thinking about this has me dreaming of another backcountry canoe trip. No motorized boats are allowed inside the Boundary Waters. It's quite serene there. Just you and the loons and the moose and your canoe.
I grew up on the Canadian Border of Minnesota....and I remember the mosquitoes! I imagine there are millions in the Boundry Waters....can all you people who have been there, address the insect problem? Did you use repelant? Long sleeves? Smudge fires?
RE Mosquitoes: Around sunset mosquitoes are a problem. More so in later May and June. Much less so in July and August. In September and October bugs are a non-issue. In late October and early November, snow, not bugs, can be a bit of a challenge. No bugs in December (and no canoeing, either).
Deet works. Bring it. Use it.
Smudge fires are a silly solution to a pretty easy problem to address.
I also recommend Grand Marais, if only for the drive up Rt 61. Take the old road, and a little way north of Duluth, stop at Russ Kendall's for smoked lake trout (and later be sure to have fresh lake trout in a good restaurant), drive a little further and stop at a wayside to eat your trout on the lakeshore. (You might like to watch Andrew Zimmern's "Minnesota" on the Travel Channel--he drives up 61, stopping at Kendall's and Betty's Pies, before arriving at Gtand M, where he visits several interesting places.) If you have time, continue a few more miles north and stop in at Naniboujou Lodge, if only for a lunch. The decor of the restaurant, especially the ceiling, is extraordinary.
Living in Duluth and having worked one summer in the BWCA before it was the BWCA, I can guarantee that mosquitoes will be a problem. Then there are the no -see -ums that are far worse than mosquitoes. They come out around Memorial Day and do not leave until after the 4th of July. They are out in the daytime as well. They bite all around your face and ears mainly. I have purchased a lightweight jacket with a face mask hood from Duluth Pack. It also has side ventilation. You can also get pants as well.You must get a permit and sometimes they fill up quickly so be sure and sign up fast. They also see what kind of things you are bringing into the BWCA and they look at what you come out with Everything must come back out-no garbage! I can't remember,but I think no glass is allowed. People do buy a lot of dried foods to bring with. Also, make sure that you have a way to rig up your food so that bears cannot reach it and it can be away from where you sleep. There are no motors in the BWCA and you may wish to ask an outfitter how to contact anyone if you need help. I am not saying this to scare you. Thousands of people go there with no issues, but living in Duluth, we get the news of the people that do and the issues they have. This is a remote wilderness area, fortunately for those who wish to have that experience. Be sure and be prepared and absolutely go with an outfitter who will help you tremendously with what you need.
Kristin, listen to the happyvactationer and go to the mall. You'll avoid mosquitoes but not Muzak and mouth breathers. By hanging out at the mall you'll also avoid clear water, moose, deer, foxes, perhaps a wolf, pesky walleyes, trout, bass and northern pike and memories that will clog your brain. And maybe some bugs.
I live on a BWCAW lake 6 months a year and am outside everyday. Are there mosquitoes? Of course, mostly around sunset and mostly in late May and June.
Have fun at the mall. Say hi to the happyvactioner when you're there.
I live on the Gunflint Trail and don't get to vacation as much as I used to. But, the Border Route trail which you can access from several different places is great hiking. And, the Superior Hiking Trail has some amazing views as well if you want to hike closer to the shore of Superior. SHT crosses rivers, water falls, open fields with Lake views, goes through tall old pines, etc...fun hike.
After your hike if you need a burger on the Trail, Trail Center, and Trail's End Cafe ( at the very end of the Gunflint Trail ), have some of the best burgers in the county.
