Heading up for our first overnight BW trip this September (entry date, the 19th, EP45 Morgan Lake) for 5 days of anticipated bliss. I've been lurking on this site for a while and this is the first time I've started a thread here. My lack of posting is that I've found SO much useful information already on this site and messageboard. I want to thank everybody right off the bat for their contributions! OK, on with the show....

The only info I would like some additional feedback on is the weather in mid-September. I've gown up in Minnesota so I know it can vary quite a bit from day to day, week to week, year to year, BUT can anyone share with me their mid-September weather related experiences?

I assume days can get hot and nights can get pretty cold so bring layers, of course. A lady I work with told me they were paddling through snow on the way out in September. I hadn't planned on a winter coat, stocking hat, or gloves, but now my mind is reeling...Anyone have experiences they can share?

Kind regards,
David Haines

ive seen snow in mid-late sept. youll be fine with layers, stocking cap, and wool mitts. a winter jacket would be overkill.

Not so much fear of cold - but be wary of the dark.

I've camped into October with accumulating snow wearing wool pants, a sweater and a pull over rain jacket. It really doesn't get that cold - but it gets dark early. Bring a lantern - and fight the urge to go to sleep at 6:30!

Also watch for mice and bears, they tend to be on a feeding frenzy.

Welcome croixboy96

September is a time of change in the BW. The weather is changing from summer to winter. So expect a mixed bag, rain and sun and wind. Bring good rain gear and long johns and you should be fine. I always bring a gloves and a stocking cap to sleep in. A winter coat would take up too much space and not needed in my opinion.

I love going in September, cool nights by the fire and a LOT less people. Fishing can be tough,if that's your thing. I second what Beemer01 says. There is a lot less daylight, 6:30-7:00 and it's dark. If your not an early riser and you plan on traveling every day, I recommend bringing a wrist watch with an alarm. I know it's a sin but you have to take advantage of the daylight. Watch out for the mice too. After dark they are everywhere. Watch your food and hang it up.

Have fun, fall is a beautiful time in the north country.

You could have seventy degrees during the day and snow at night. Be prepared for a wide range of conditions ... layers, gloves and a warm stocking cap.

Have fun. Its a great time in the BW.

beemer? you just caused me to dig out my old peak 1 single mantle. :)

Beemer, good point about the dark. Finding a site earlier in the day/evening would be a good thing the later in the season we get.
Our 'plan' is to home-base on Vista and do day trips from there! Might make it down to Misquah for a night or two if that site is open. But, my new credo is that planning is essential, and plans are useless. I don't take credit for that quote. Once we get there, we surrender to the flow.

David

Not only does the weather change daily, but that time of year it's getting cool fast. You are in the transition from summer (northeast Minnesota version) to a fast approaching winter. I've been out in Quetico two different years that time of September, and had nice warm weather both times - except for a night deep into the 20s that made it hard to put wet boots on the next day. You don't need a winter coat (Minnesota winter) but you should be prepared for cold weather. And then it will probably never come and you'll get sunburned paddling with your shirt off and it's in the 70s, with no bugs at night. It's a great time to be up in BW, but you should be prepared for harsh conditions since it is the wilderness.

Everyone's advice is pretty much right on, If someone wanted my opinion, I would recomend doing a base camp with day trips. That way you can bring along a few extras and still be comfortable. The 320 rod walk in may limit what you want to bring but it's not a bad portage as far as terrain goes. That's a real beautiful area in the fall, the leaves should be getting spectacular by then. Good luck and post a trip report so we can all share your trip. ps the best part of trips at that time of the year is that the bugs are gone.

I do the majority of my trips in September and the replies above seem to mirror my experience. One thing to keep in mind is that although the weather may be like it is in the spring, the water and ground is much warmer in the fall than in the spring. I would rather take a dunking in September than I would in May...

I have done a mid-September trip for 9 years in a row, and I agree with all the others...can be warm days and cool nights. We had ice on Insula (water bucket) one morning three years ago. Mornings are slower to get going...another cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Hot breakfasts are appreciated. Put a ring of margarine on a half bagel and put it on the frying pan and toast it--delicious! Add these to your normal summer clothing: a fleece jacket, light knit hat and gloves, wool socks, light long underwear (not cotton), and maybe a light vest for daytime paddling. It does get dark early...sunset about 7:15. Read up on your wilderness campfire stories and share them, bring a paperback book, gather more firewood cause the evenings are longer, and maybe bring something comfortable to sit on and soften those log seats. Many more good campsites available then, and we heard a bull moose issueing love calls one evening on Insula. Fall canoeing will hook you.

Gosh, Kevlar, now I wish I was going in September instead of late August this year. I really miss the bull moose "love calls" in the evenings.

Perhaps next year...

First trip the wife went with was sept. It was cold, snowed, blew, had waves over the bow. She asked if the weather wouldn't be better in the summer months for canoeing? My answer was, while it may be a bit warmer then, you got bugs, blowdowns, forest fires, fire bans, and of course people. We still go in Sept. every year.

Plan for the worst (gloves, hat) and wish for the best. I went the last weekend in September two years ago into Rose Lake to enjoy the fall colors and we were treated to 70 degrees and sunny each day and perfect sleeping temps at night (40s).

I agree with all of the comments.

One thing to be aware of is if it is warm-and there has not been a kiling frost yet-you may be dealing with more bees than usual as they try to build up their carb reserves.

I love fall tripping-however it has gotten more and more popular in the recent past. Used to be it was fairly quiet after Labor Day. Now it does not really slow down until the end of September and into October.

I've had some really good luck with September weather. I go with a group every year and it has always been (knock on wood) the best weather of all my trips.

Little or no rain, not too hot (highs in the low 70s tops), cool nights though - some below freezing. The mornings are brutal, getting out of the warm cozy bag into 25 degree air - YIKES! But with the colder temps at night, no bugs at all - big bonus.

We're going in on the 10th at Lizz Lake. Can't wait - my favorite time of the year to go by far.

Thanks for all the advice! I'm looking forward to the variety of conditions we may experience and I think it would just add to the fun! We'll just prepare with a little extra clothing, stay away from cotton, and maintain our positive attitudes!

Red Beard, you said that fishing could be tough in September. Do others see a noticable decline in fishing come early September already?

For us it seems to be feast or famine for fishing in the fall. Have done great about half the time, not good at all the other times. As with all times of the year (other than ice)the particular body of water you are on makes a difference (and I haven't figured out the equation yet).

My one mid September trip I was expecting cool and got Indian Summer. I got the worst sunburn of my life on that trip. Outside of that it was one of the most enjoyable trips ever if for no other reason than lack of bugs.

Another thing I noticed is that our trip coincides with a new moon. The new moon is actually the night before we put in so based on some other threads on here, I'm hoping that means some decent fishing? Anyone have feelings on fishing that close to a new moon? Looking forward to seeing lots of stars and maybe even some Northern Lights with how dark it will be from lack of moonlight!

David

September is my favorite time to go to the BWCA!

You can read my post in the "Worst" experiences for one extreme, on the other, we've had hot, cloudless days as well. In September, you really don't know what you're going to get, but I've had many more positive experiences than negative. I've never see snow up there in September like others have, but the nights can get cool so I always bring a wool sweater.

Took a late September trip with our five kids and one of their friends who were quite young --4 Junior High two in elementary -- around 12 years ago. Interestng experience. Warm, sunny, swimming weather one day, cold, windy, SNOW FLAKES and/or SLEET the next.

I'd go again in the Fall ... but you must be ready for anything weather wise.

croixboy- make sure you let us all know how your experience was after your trip. First three years after I started tripping in September with a Newby we experienced literally three drops of rain with almost three full weeks on the water. The next trip we had well over 6" of rain one night and wind and rain most of the other days as well.

I will post our experience on here when I return (first one, whoo hoo!). My wife and I picked up a 'hiking journal' at a garage sale for $.50 and we're planning to record each day's adventures around the evening campfire. Weather, fishing, trail conditions, campsite, etc... I think they are sold at REI too, but ours was much cheaper the way we got it. It's a nifty little journal.

Thanks to all who've responded. Ask and ye shall receive on BWCA.com I guess! And to those who still want to respond, I'm checking back often (and getting the email alert thingy).

David Haines

Bog

What gutmon said sums up my experience with the fishing. The weather can be so unstable, the fish don't know what to do. We always catch fish on our fall trips. Your luck can just change day to day. In the spring, they are hungry from winter and there's not much food in the water yet. In the fall, they are fat and happy from summer and they have plenty of food still swimming around. So if the weather gets crazy, I think they are more prone to just shut down. You can still catch fish, you just might have to work harder sometimes.

Yeah, if the sun is out, it still has some punch. Combine that with a stiff wind out of the north and my face feels pretty raw after a day on the water. Bring sunscreen or something for your skin but you should be able to leave the bug dope at home. Can't believe I forgot about the bugs being gone.

I agree fully with what everyone says about the weather and the temp.
only thing I would add is.. bring Dish Washing gloves.. they keep your hands really dry while paddling and fishing etc... and in the mornings/evenings the temp can hit you quick with wet hands.

September is my favorite month to go on a trip. The bugs are gone, the crowds are gone, and the weather is (mostly good). A couple years ago were entered at Clearwater Lake, off the Gunflint trail, and woke up the next morning to wind and snow. By afternoon the sun was out and it was all good. Days are shorter though as previously mentioned, so plan on sitting by a nice fire, provided that there is no fire ban.

I have read this thread with great interest and appreciate the input that everyone has given. Hubby and I are taking our first BWCA trip as well this fall - we put in Sept 17 at EP16 for 7 days. I am looking forward to not only the fall colors, but the changing seasons as well.

Debbie

In my opinion it is by far the best time to visit either the bwca or the Gunflint trail area in general. Beautiful colors, no bugs, and as previously mentioned, the crowds are gone. When i go up in June im usually with a buddy, but in the fall im almost always by myself. Its just a great time to explore, and hear the sounds of nature because your usually being quiet (unless your talking to yourself because your feet are wet :-) I dont feel like i have to be the fishing guide and i can just go at whatever pace that i want to. My friends always want to fish for walleyes first, but im a trout and smallmouth guy first, and the fishing for both is truly spectacular at that time of year. Ive had 80 plus degrees and Snow, so you have to be ready for anything weatherwise .