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Posts: 1096
Location: Hayward, WI | Not musky related - My son really wants to do a camping trip in the BWCA next summer. I have never been there and am looking for recommendations on an outfitter to use. Being a first timer I think we would like a fully outfitted trip. Any recommendations or tips? |
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Posts: 1828
| A friend at work has used WayToGo out of Ely and says they were top notch. Not sure who's best on the other end (Gunflint side). They're not all equal, from what I hear. The same guy used a different outfitter a couple years ago and they left much to be desired.
Not saying you should do it, but my friends and I started going as 15-16 year olds without outfitters - no problems. I've been in many times now, but even back then there was no regret of not using an outfitter. Nothing against outfitters or employing them. I'm probably really missing out! |
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Posts: 100
| https://www.lakeonecanoes.com
I used them a few years ago with a buddy. We thought they did a nice job and enjoyed the trip. |
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Posts: 291
Location: Madison, WI | If you choose to go up the Gunflint Trail (East side) we have always secured permits through Seagull Outfitters and have heard good things about them. Never done a fully outfitted trip as we do our own thing.
Prior to going, spend time on the www.bwca.com message boards. There is a wealth of information there. Ask questions there and they will get you in the right direction. |
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Posts: 410
Location: one foot over the line | I went up to the Gunflint area for a week every year throughout my twenties (which was 20 years ago). Portages were well marked for the most part and there are some really good maps of the area. A person could put together a really good menu with what is available in the grocery store (no need to get that expensive freeze-dried camp stuff). The last couple of times I went, I made homemade campfire pizza by rolling the dough on the bottom of a canoe (what a treat after eating reconstituted food for 5 days. If you decide to go on your own, let me know and I might be able to help. |
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Posts: 24
| Rookwood off of the gunflint. |
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Posts: 1000
| I'm a big fan of Sawbill Outfitters. If you're looking at a first trip, I'd recommend base camping somewhere and doing day trips to different places. How much camping do you do? Going big on the first trip could be awesome, or awesomely bad depending on conditions.
Have fun! Lots of great places. If you go up out of Tofte there are a few shoepack muskie lakes (Crescent, Boulder, Lichen, and downstream) |
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Posts: 1
| Not musky related - My son really wants to do a camping trip in the BWCA next summer. I have never been there and am looking for recommendations on an outfitter to use. Being a first timer I think we would like a fully outfitted trip. Any recommendations or tips?
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It is impossible to grow weary of a sport that is never the same on any two days of the year. - Theodore Gordon
J America Ladies T-shirts
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Posts: 1096
Location: Hayward, WI | Thanks for the help everyone. We have done quite a bit of camping, but nothing too rustic. We will definitely be reserving something soon. I didn't know there was a chance an muskys, will have to look into those lakes. |
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Posts: 1828
| Those musky lakes listed aren't in the BWCA, just FYI. |
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Posts: 291
Location: Madison, WI | Also, permits open up at the end of January prior to each season. Get a plan in place for your entry point, hook up with an outfitter that services that area and book with them. They will secure your permit for the date you wanna enter. Depending upon tour entry point, permits can go quick and some entry points are chosen by a lottery. |
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Posts: 1000
| jaultman - 8/3/2017 10:23 AM
Those musky lakes listed aren't in the BWCA, just FYI.
Correct, they're about 1 mile outside of it, with multiple access points nearby.
My question is more "do you want to try camping up there and get most of the experience?" or "do you want to go hard and see what you're made of?"
BWCA is an incredible experience. That's why I go 3-4 times per year. Between the unpredictable weather and bugs, however, I've seen a lot of people try to be Lewis & Clark their first time and never come back.
PM me if you want any advice on anything between the Lake Kawishiwi entrance and Brule. |
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Posts: 52
| My wife and I went thru Packsack canoe trips and thought they did a nice job.
We liked them because we rented one of their three cabins - they are primarily an outfitter - but we are not "campers" per se so we stayed in one of their cabins and then did a day trip into Ella Hall Lake.
It's an easy portage that is about a mile long from where we beached the boat at the end of Fall Lake. They gave us little tires so we just pushed the canoe thru the portage. Ella Hall has some nice camping spots on it and we did well catching smallmouth and largemouth bass - tossed wacky rigs along the shorelines.
I mention this as an option in case you want to vacation for a full week but perhaps only want to camp two or three nights. Then you have the cabin available the rest of your stay.
It was only a day trip but I grew fond of Ella Hall and hope to get back there some day.
https://www.packsackcanoetrips.com |
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Posts: 793
Location: Ames, Iowa | If your boy is in his teens and you are an experienced camper I'd go without an outfitter. You likely have the gear you need already. Kids are super resilient and flexible when it's rustic. You probably already know some entry points that aren't hard to get into if that is a concern. My guess is that no entry point would be too tough for a teenager. I see folks come in who have used outfitters, and I'm still surprised to see canoepacks and food packs stuffed to the max. Those must be very heavy, to go along with the 84 pound aluminum canoe they're dragging around. I just completed my first solo. I went into an easy entry point. I always take way too much food, too many clothes, cookwear, or shoes I never use. I have whittled about 15 lbs from my must have list. With two or three campers, and with kids especially, packs can be much lighter. |
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Posts: 291
Location: Minneapolis | Hungry Jack Outfitters on the Gunflint Trail is very good. I have not rented a full kit there (I have everything), but we have stayed in their bunk houses and rented a canoe or two when we needed extras. I've seen the gear they rent; it is good quality. I can also vouch for Seagull and Sawbill Outfitters. Many others will also be great. |
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Posts: 1096
Location: Hayward, WI | We have narrowed it down to using Sawbill Outfitters and doing a base camp trip. Still looking at base camp lake options. Anyone have recommendations on what to do for water purification? |
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Posts: 291
Location: Minneapolis | I love gravity-feed water filters. Katadyn makes a good one. They use the same filter cartridge as the pumps but relieve the burden of squatting next to the lake pumping for what feels like forever. Especially for base camping, they are the bomb. Hang it from the tree, fill it with water from a bucket, put your Nalgene bottle at the end, then walk away. Come back after a few minutes and swap bottles. One of the single best pieces of equipment I have purchased for canoe camping! |
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Posts: 1000
| +1 for gravity. its passive. that said, i have a pump msr too
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BWCA Outfitters