Hi, I'm hoping that the BWCA experts on this forum can help me out,

I'm planning a 3.5 day trip in the BWCA. I've done solo trips in Montana and all over the PNW, but I've never had the opportunity to explore the BWCA.

Overall goals of this trip are: good fishing, getting to see a waterfall or two, scenic overlooks, and canoeing through/under cool rock formations/cliffs, and lastly limited contact with other travelers (this is the least important of the goals). I know that is a lot of goals for a short period of time, but I appreciate any recommendations/tips to achieve any of these goals.

If any of you had tips/recommendations/trails/lakes or any kind of insight to guide me on this planning process, it would be greatly appreciated!

If I only had 3.5 days, I'd stay at Fall Lake Campground and make 3 day trips:
1) Wood Lake - scenic, fishing
2) North Hegman Lake - scenic, pictographs, cliffs
3) Day hikes to Kawishiwi Falls, and Bass Lake

Evenings at camp with shower house and Ely for dinner a couple times.

You don't mention if you have settled on a time of year yet and whether you are going this summer (permits for specific spots can be hard to get at this point in the year).

1) If you can get a permit for one of these: South Lake, Duncan Lake, or Daniels, then you can visit Rose Lake with beautiful Rose Falls, the unique Stairway Portage, and some stunning overlooks along the Border Route Trail. South Lake is the toughest EP for accomplishing this and it means you might want to also arrange a pickup at the end instead of traveling back to your car. The other 2 allow you to make a little loop and exit through the other with trips to South Lake or Watap (paddling under cliffs). This area has some of the most spectacular scenery of the BWCA.

2) Moose Lake entry point and head to Knife Lake. You can hike to Thunder Point or go to South Arm of Knife (SAK) to see Eddy Falls. You can create different loops. Some people get a tow up Moose/Newfound, but if you are a strong paddler it only saves you about 2-2.5 hours so I've never done it. Be warned that some of this route is heavily traveled but the fishing is good and you can get to some smaller, quieter lakes. Easier to get a permit for Moose b/c there is a high quota.

3.5 days is not a lot of time, especially with how far you traveled, so if you can swing a longer time, I recommend it. That also allows you to reach the less traveled areas.

I'm sorry, but you're not going to get all that you are looking for in a 3.5 day trip. I agree with Bobber...base camp on Fall Lake and day trip.

Mike

Agree that doing it all in 3.5 days might be a mistake, an option but at a pace that prevents experiencing what most of us come for. If I only had one BWCA adventure I would stay long enough to adapt to the environment and routine and that usually is about day 2-3. One more day can make a difference.

My advised route for someone wanting to get a good into of the BWCA is as follows: Moose to South Arm Knife, about four hours travel with good stops and border hills. Day 2 to Kekekabic/Frazer. Base on Frazer and day trip back towards Roe, solitude and some good walleye territory. Day 4 to Ima through some streams and swampy areas. Day 5 is exit with Cattyman Falls.

This is an Ely route and while others can offer more, Ely is part of the BWCA experience. This route can be travelled in 3.5 days but so much would be missed. Read some trip reports to get insights into the ribbon rock's location, cliff jumping at Wisini, and other unique things to see and do.

And I respect your PNW experience. I started my early camping in the Olympics while stationed at Ft. Lewis. Beautiful country.

A suggestion I'd make is looking into a hiking trail. There are several with low usage that would allow you the seclusion you desire without have to paddle like crazy for that first day. Canoeing is just one way of exploring things out there.
If you're determined to canoe i would check out the gunflint side, specifically rose and Duncan, like straighthaired said. Lots of waterfalls and overlooks, but I can't speak to those lakes because I've always stayed on the ely side. I have heard that the gunflint side of the BWs is a lot busier.

Clearwater Lake EP #62 definitely fits the bill for what you are looking for. Although it is a very tough permit to come by.

- You'll paddle right under/past perhaps the most stunning palisades in the whole BWCA as you work your way eastward down this magnificent body of water. Climb to the top for a better vantage point. 2 of the last 3 campsites on the eastern end are excellent spots to basecamp.

- Most of the lakes in the area are lake trout lakes with smallmouth bass. However, Caribou Lake, one tough portage south is known as a good walleye lake and is a beautiful lake in its own way.

- The portage north into Mountain is intersected by the Border Route Hiking Trail near the crest of the hill on that portage. Relatively short hikes from there on the BRT in either direction lead to breathtaking overlooks of the area. The eastern one is closer but, the western is more expansive.

- Also, the BRT crosses the portage that leads into West Pike Lake. If you take the southern side of the trail it leads up to Gogebic Lake which harbors brook trout. But, it is a grueling trail up there. Even if you don't portage the canoe up, I highly recommend just hiking that section up to Gogebic as it is a scenic walk. The short bridge crossing the tiny brook is a favorite idyllic spot.

- Johnson Falls (at the extreme western end of Pine Lake) is only 3 portages away. Johnson Falls Be sure to check out the big cedar just downstream from the lower falls.

- This area does fail in your request for not seeing many people. But, I don't think fulfilling your other requests give you (or anyone) very good odds of not seeing others in those type of places unless you plan on traveling in October. But, you never know and may be pleasantly surprised - but, don't count on it! :)

I appreciate all of your insights!! Just an update on what I've decided. I'm starting on gunflint, paddling to north lake and south lake, then portaging to rose lake and finishing in duncan lake (exiting through bearskin). Clearwater lake looked divine and I wanted to add that into my loop but with limited time, and no permits left, it just wasn't an option. The path from clearwater to mountain to watap looked very cool and if I get the chance that is where I will be going in the future (or Quetico).

Oh an I'm going in May for fishing opener (hopefully the temperatures are above freezing!).

I think you mean North Fowl Lake and South Fowl Lake. Seems like Clearwater could be on your route.

bobbernumber3: "I think you mean North Fowl Lake and South Fowl Lake. Seems like Clearwater could be on your route."

If he's starting at Gunflint Lake, he would go to North Lake and then South Lake using an entry permit for the South Lake entry. This will provide some nice scenery and along the Stairway Portage between Rose and Duncan, there's a nice little waterfall. Also head east along the Boarder Route trail there for a nice overlook of Rose Lake.

Gunflint through Duncan sounds like it checks a lot of your boxes. Enjoy yourself!

Base camp on Seagull lake , visit Jasper falls.