Thinking about doing a shorter 2 night, three day solos, which I have never done before. Would like to bring my six-year old dog. Not interested in super long pkrtages, but hoping to stay at in at least two different campgrounds. Any advice would be great.

I’ve been to boundary Waters twice now, but with groups of five and nine respectively.

That's a bunch of firsts......has your dog been in a canoe before? Have you paddled a solo canoe? You aren't going to be going in April....

My advice would be to start small....small water and short distances for your first trip, unless your answer to both those questions is "We go out in a solo canoe all the time and the dog loves canoeing"

If both you and your dog are new to solo canoe trips, consider maybe starting at one of the campgrounds on the edge of the BWCA. You could do day trips and get some experience handling a solo canoe, and your dog can learn good canoe manners.

Right - unless your dog has canoe experience, i would caution against that time of year. A dump in near freezing water, could be catastrophic.

As DWG points out, April is usually solid water. The way this winter is going, who knows? Maybe it will be possible.

Regardless, the water will almost certainly be deadly cold through the month of May. It may also be very high - the last two years sure were.

If you decide to go, get a stable canoe and hug the shoreline.

I did Baker Lake into the Temperances for my first solo. Short portages and small water. However, in early May, the water/rapids may get a bit rough at a couple of the portages. Heard the WTIP guys podcast on a harrowing trip last May. But if the water is decent, that would be a good 2 nighter.

Thanks, all. I plan on "practicing" with a solo canoe and my dog this summer, and will look to do the actual trip in August.

Good plan!