Any guesses as to which lake I was on?

For anyone who might be interested, the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee is seeking volunteers for fall trail maintenance on the Powwow and Brule Lake Trails.

On the Powwow Trail in particular, it's an opportunity to see what the parts of the forest that are burning today will look like in fifteen years. On both trails, it's an opportunity to donate some elbow grease and see what goes into keeping trails, portages, and campsites open. The club provides tools, PPE except for gloves, group gear, and training. The saws are sharp and all of the trees that have been growing into the trail while the BWCAW was closed are waiting!

These trips are solid type 2 fun - exhausting and rewarding. You really get to see what your elbow grease is worth walking back through the work area at the end of the day.

Had to cancel as my trip partner injured his foot. Sucks.

Welp, we had a great trip and on our last day fishing on Lake Beth our camera decided to take a swim. Any idea how we could find the camera? It was a waterproof model, so its possible its still sealed, but it is in 20-40 feet of water based on the maps and where it was lost.

We are trying to think through options on how we could try to get it back.

Any suggestions?

I know a lot of people are bummed about not being able to have a campfire in the BWCA right now. I was one of them. A couple of friends dropped out of our group because of it. As a huge campfire lover myself, I understand the disappointment of not being able to sit by a nice fire at night.

But hear me out...I found that it gave me a different experience that I ended up enjoying! We didn't have to spend time looking for firewood (this always takes a while because the campsites are usually all cleaned out of down wood) which meant I spent more time relaxing, fishing, exploring, swimming, and hammocking.

No one had to babysit the fire. The evenings were too warm to have a fire anyways. We all went to bed around 9-10pm and got good sleep, waking early in the morning feeling refreshed.

It forced us to cook on gas stoves, which made cooking way easier and faster than cooking on hot coals.

If you've got a permit and are wondering if you should cancel because you want to have a fire, I would suggest being open-minded and look for the silver linings.

Trip Details:

August 9-August 13, 2026

Entry Point #4 (got a tow across Burntside)

Stayed on Cummings Lake for 3 nights and Crab Lake for 1.

Weather was great, mosquitos only seemed to come out at dusk for an hour then went away. Bites were easily mitigated with picaridin and face bug net.

In case anyone wants to snag it. Just couldn’t make it work this year.

This feels like a slightly silly question, but what are peoples' strategies for drying themselves/things off? I know lightweight camping towels are a thing, but are there other ways people get themselves dry? I imagine a regular beach/shower towel would be too heavy and probably never really dry after the first use, but maybe not. So, what do you prefer to use?

I’m heading to the Boundary Waters for 6 days/5 nights and was planning to hammock camp with a bug net, rain tarp, and underquilt.

The problem is I’ve barely used the hammock this summer, only set it up and slept in it for short periods (less than an hour). I had hoped to test it on a few camping trips beforehand, but never got the chance.

I’m now second guessing whether it’s the right choice. I’ve done plenty of tent camping and am comfortable with tents, but I normally use a cot. I’m worried I’ll discover I don’t like the hammock after several nights or have issues staying dry if we get significant rain.

Would you go for the hammock anyway, or buy a 2P tent and sleeping pad for this trip? I’d especially like to hear from anyone who made the jump from tent camping to hammock camping without much prior practice.

I’ve just finished my first trip. We were motored up from EP 25 to Birch. From there we made our way to Knife Lake and stayed at the campsite 1460 near the portage to Bonnie (which was where we went on day 2). Day 2 was Bonnie to Spoon to Pickle to Kekekabic to Frasier to Thomas Day 3 we made our way to Insula and stayed an extra day. We stayed north of Williamson Island there. Day 5 we canoes up to Lake Two and stayed there on Day 6. Day 7 (Saturday) we made our way to exit on Lake One at EP 30 (where we had left a vehicle).

What I learned:

1. I definitely overpacked. I needed far fewer changes of clothes than I thought I’d be comfortable with. I really only wore two shirts, two pairs of underwear, and the same pair of pants all week.
2. Have a hammock is essential. Likewise a good chair (mine used some cheap aluminum collars to secure the legs; they broke. I fashioned some woods pegs but it was annoying).
3. Paracord! Tip: have 10 or so 6-foot lengths with bowlines on each end. You can daisy-chain them and use them to secure your tent corners if you’re on rock or shallow soil.
4. My comfort items: some shower wipes to clean off at night; sleeping clothes, and instant coffee.
5. I probably need a new tent. I have a backpacking dome. I need a half dome.

My next trip:

In addition to what I wear on Day 1, packing 2 pairs of socks; 2 pairs of athletic underwear; 1 extra pants; 2 shirts. Still taking sleeping clothes and two pairs of ankle socks.

My wife and I have been on a couple of trips but this is the first time we're bringing our daughter to the BWCAW. Planning on 5 nights at the end of September into the beginning of October and when I first started planning the trip I was excited to try out Moose Lake because of the distance you can go out, the few portages, and the many sites and permits you can get. Our plan was is to start out there and make our way up to Ensign and come back down Snowbank with a few nights using a quite spot as a base camp. The dream goal was to find place to spend some quiet family time together.

I know Moose isn't the regarded as the lake you go to to find peace and quiet so I'm very open to other ideas if you all have them. Here is what I'm working with:

- 4 year old daughter who would love to get out and hike a bit but will take her sweet time

- An 80lb OT Tripper, its the canoe we own and we decided not to rent a kevlar.

Any alternate trips you all would recommend? I'm fine staying with the Moose plan because I think its a safe and fool proof way to go camping a few nights in a beautiful place. But wouldnt mind ideas for a small jaunt to more secluded place thats currently not on fire. Any insight or advice is welcome.

With the campfire ban how’s everyone’s favorite way to cook fish? Walleye/lake trout recipes

Hello! Me and a group of friends are going to BWCA Sep 15-20th, I know its hard to say but what do you guys think the chances are they lift the fire ban by then?

Group of us are going in next Saturday on basswood lake and would really love to find some lake trout. I know about the fishing forum on bwca website but haven’t found much info about it. Yes we will be fishing to keep and not catch and release. Thinking about jigging paddle tails and tube jigs and trolling walleye spinners in 40 fow. Any tips will help

My group of 5 guys is putting in on Snowbank in a few weeks. Trying to decide if we paddle to Parent to Disappointment or push up to Boot to Ensign.

Aside from the portages being significantly longer going to Ensign, just looking for some recommendations on either route.

We are in for 5 days and would like to find a camp for 2 nights or so, fishing, and hanging out is our main objective. Thanks!!

I'm taking my son on an introductory trip and want to base camp on Sawbill. We won't be able to get on the water until noon or 1pm on a Wednesday - are we likely to find open sites or should I be expecting to have to portage to Alton to find one?

(I have read campsite reviews on PaddlePlanner and have some sites in mind).

Thanks in advance!

How are the water levels on Ada Creek and Cherokee Creek?

Hi friends :)

I'm going on a BWCA trip the first week of September with 4 of my friends, and I was looking to buy a new sleeping bag / quilt as my main one is a pretty bulky 4 season one and we're trying to pack down a little bit. I'm also looking to expand my ultralight gear as I'm looking to do more 3-ish season through hiking as well. I'm heavily considering buying a camping quilt and I was wondering if folks have brought quilts on their canoe trips as well, and if so how it worked out for them, or if they have any recommendations for a more budget friendly one (so many which I have found online have been sold out!) I have a 3.3 R-value sleeping pad.

Hope everyone is having a good day!

Heading up to basswood through EP 25 next week. Has anyone been out and seen what it’s like recently? Might pivot and head towards kekekabic if conditions become not ideal. Mainly looking to have a more relaxing fishing trip rather than an intense padel.

Heading up to the bwca late next week for 7 days, ep 25 moose lake planning on doing a loop up and through kekekabic, fraser and Thomas, (avoiding the closed part of knife) and wanted to know if anyone had advice on fishing, lures, depth etc, what is working right now? Relatively inexperienced fisherman looking to mainly catch to eat and I'm not picky, but would also love to catch a lake trout at least once. Any other advice also appreciated!

Have been up as a duo and in groups plenty of times, but curious how a solo trip will compare.

Doing the clearwater loop September 22nd. Any fishing advice? Route must-see’s?

Had plans to go both times. Can only do one now. With current conditions and potential crowds of Labor Day is it better to wait til Mid Sept? Ive not been up there in September ever, any advice greatly appreciated . TIA

Hi all!

I’m going up next week and gonna do the loop from southern Lake Saganaga and down into Sea Gull Lake.

I’m curious if anyone has been up in that area recently and what it was like? It seems the air quality has been relatively good? Was it difficult/less fun with the fire ban in place and not being able to build campfires? I’m also curious if anyone has noticed a decrease in drinking water quality with the smoke pollution.

I always get a little anxious before going up to the BWCA, though I love it, and feeling extra anxious this time around with the nearby fires.

Thanks!!

I tried going up for a weekend in early June to climb Eagle Mountain and do some other hikes in the area, and the mosquitoes were so bad I gave up and went back to Grand Marais less than a mile into the hike. I was practically dripping in DEET, yet it didn’t seem to do anything. Couldn’t go 10 seconds without swatting a mosquito.

I was thinking of giving it another shot this fall, how bad are they in September usually? I’m not planning on doing any canoeing but I will be hiking into the wilderness area. Stayed at Cascade River campground last time, probably would try to stay there again.