Hello,
We are in the process of planning our First trip to the boundary waters.
We are thinking of a 5-6 day trip entering in points 32,33,74,85. Not sure which yet just wondering what everyone has to say about those entry points. Our trip will be in early fall of 2007. Any and all information would be helpful.

Thanks
Brian

I never can remember the Entry Point Numbers, just the names. For those like me, here is a quick translation:
32 = South Kawishiwi
33 = Little Gabbro
74 = Kekekabic Trail
85 = I can’t find this one at all.

Hmmmm ... One I can’t find and another is a hiking trail EP. The Kek Trail was closed. I don’t know if it is opened back up or not.

Are you canoeing or hiking? I think you have a couple of your EP #s wrong.

Maybe you mean entry #84, Snake river.

And perhaps #75?? Little Isabella River.

yes you are correct I was wrong on my entry point numbers its 84 snake river and 75. We are going in 3 kayaks and 1 canoe. So any hints or help would be great. I would really like to enter at snake river but come sept. You think the water is high enough to paddle? Or is picking a different entry point a good idea?

Thanks
Brian

Brian:

I went to that region this past summer mid-august and the water levels were high enough to navigate. I think you will be fine in September, although it would depend on the weather conditions next summer.

Exiting at Snake River last summer had its ups and downs.

Ups: We snuck up on a river otter and got about 6 feet away before he dove under. It is a nice entry point in the sense you can do majority river travel if you go east (also good moose country, and that should be rutting season), or lake travel if you go west.

Downs: My word of warning is exiting at Snake River when you did not enter there. We got off at the wrong portage, and ended up doing 1.5 to 2 miles on old logging roads to get back to the car. In hindsight, maybe that was for the best as we were actually slightly excited to get back to civilization as we were exhausted. ;) (you can search the site and there is a thread about this topic)

The only EP I'm familiar with is South Kawishiwi. As a general comment for the other three is that water levels tend to be low in the fall. Those type of EPs are generally best in the spring and early summer when water levels are higher.

As far as South Kawishiwi, a nice entry. However, you do have to cross two lakes and a 2/3 of a mile portage before you get there. You start paddling on Ojibway and then take an easy 10-rod portage (used to be a roller portage, amybe still is) to Triangle Lake. Paddle across that then hit the 200-rod to South Kawishiwi. The portage is long, but since it is outside the BW it is (or at least was) very well maintained.

I don't know if that will be an issue with the kayaks or not, but it should be noted that there is that portage.

As far as the area goes, it is very nice. Those first two lake will have some cabins and maybe motorboats, but it was not a big deal to me. I jsut think of it as traveling to to my EP in a canoe rather than a car.

we took two kayaks a few years ago - won't do that again.

Not being able to put a whole pack in them is a huge downside when it comes to portaging. you have to pack/unpack every time. Also they are not the easist thing to portage. It was such a hassle that we ended upputting sticks through the loops at each end and the four of use would just pick up the yak fully loaded and carry it over the portage.

If we were to do it again and wanted to go solo, we would rent solo canoes with a dual blade paddle. very similar to a kayak, but you can just toss your whole pack(or two) in there, lightweight, and easy to portage.

my two cents

I am familar with 32 and 33 and I think 34(Island River). I took a kayak (with 3 canoes) up this June starting at EP32 and came out EP33. You don't have to go the way Bannock said. EP32 can be reached on the same forest road as if you are going to EP33, you drive right buy EP32 on the way to EP33. You could actually park your ride at one EP and come out at the other EP and walk back to your ride with out much effort or time on the forest road. You might want to have some blaze orange for a fall trip though. Nice area and the South Kawishwi is big enough that I don't feel it would be too affected late in the year. EP 34 is a nice route heading in to the area from the east but it is a good 20 miles I think to get from EP 34 to the EP 33, plus you would have to arrange transportation. I was using a recreational kayak(9.5 ft)on that trip and I did ok but relied on the canoes to carry some gear, a true touring kayak would be a much better choice. The portages were not too bad as I made a homemade yoke system. Hope this helps some. Todd

My bad! Ooops! Forget everything I said about South Kawish. I was wrong. Todd is right.

I was describing EP #29 NORTH Kawishiwi. I told you I don't know them by numbers .... I guess I get the names a bit mixed up, too.

Sorry.

We used entry point 75 on our most recent trip this fall. We like seclusion, and with only one overnight permit per day, we got it. This is a bit more tedious of a way to enter the Isabella River area, but we enjoyed it very much (even in the rain). The drive itself to the entry point with fall colors in full blaze was truly amazing and worth the extra work finding it.

If you like calm, winding, and less traveled little rivers, this one would serve you well. Keep in mind, however, that you'll have four portages and numerous beaver dam pullovers between you and the main Isabella River. We paddled this in very low water this past September, and I seem to recall at least a half-dozen pullovers in addition to the portages. I'm guessing that a number of these obstructions can likely be paddled over in higher water. The portages are short and level and generally pose no problems other than a few soft, muddy spots.

This Isabella River region between Bald Eagle and Isabella Lake is a wonderful place. It's also prime moose habitat, so keep your eyes peeled and cameras at the ready. I'm still looking for time to complete a trip report about our recent fall trip there, but until then here are some pictures of the Little Isabella River portion.