I've been going to the boundary waters from down in Rochester, Mn for the last 4 years now and want to go back again this year of course. I've gone through the same outfitter each time (seagull outfitters) and I've always had a great experience with them. Driving from Rochester to trails end is a hefty 7.5 hour drive without any stops.. According to Google maps it's only about a 5.5 hour drive if i were to go to Ely instead. Usually in the past when going to trails end we would leave Rochester about 1 in the morning, try and get to Grand Marais for breakfast and then on to seagull outfitters, which works out pretty good.

Since I've never been in the western boundary waters i'm not sure if it's much different or not. Geography differences? more crowded? as scenic? I've always preferred the smaller more personable lakes and rivers since they give you more of a feeling like isolation. I would love to find a route that would take us on some portages that straddle the boarder of Canada like the ones on the Granite river over on the East side.

Last year i brought a couple first timers with me. One from Canada and another from Rio, Brazil. They had a blast and want to go again this year. In the past I've only been up there in late August and early September, but this year i think we're are going to try for June some time.

any insight or info? I do have a large map that covers the whole boundary waters so i will be starting with that but any other suggestions would be nice.
Thanks.

Don't forget/overlook east side jr (tofte). That would be my vote.

The west side has some of the best fishing in the BW but I'm talking about the big border lakes - La Croix, Crooked, Iron. Those lakes are also a fair distance from any entry point so you'll work hard your first day to get to them, but once you're there, they're awesome. I've done 5 western BW trips and only 1 off the Gunflint.

One thing to remember though, is that it's still a good 45 minutes to an hour to drive from Ely to your entry point (if you go in EP 14 or 16)

hrmmm. Tofte... over looked that option. Thanks.

Ya, i'm NOT a fan of the bigger lakes at all. NOT a FAN. my luck is that it's always windy as hell when i'm trying to cross it.

Agreed...Tofte area. Baker, Kawishiwi, Hog Creek. If you want a nice trip (slightly rugged), try this one

you might consider going out of Ely but from the entry points east of town. There are some good route options in that direction, and some beautiful lakes. Thomas and Fraser come to mind...

Generally speaking the hills aren’t as dramatic as the east side. Also, depending on the route to the border, you may have to go through some large or motorized lakes to get there. Maybe Moose Lake EP to Birch Lake and along the border to Knife Lake could fit you’re bill. If you want the smaller lakes and streams, yes go with the Isabella/Tofte idea, perhaps EPs 34, 35 or 36.

I like both. The last few years have been east side trips, because I have done the west to death.

quote inspector13: "
Generally speaking the hills aren’t as dramatic as the east side. Also, depending on the route to the border, you may have to go through some large or motorized lakes to get there. Maybe Moose Lake EP to Birch Lake and along the border to Knife Lake could fit you’re bill. If you want the smaller lakes and streams, yes go with the Isabella/Tofte idea, perhaps EPs 34, 35 or 36.


"

Interesting.. Ive always found the east side to be much more hilly, steep cliffs and such. But I haven't seen everything.(obviously)

DayDreaming: That is what I mean. In my experience, the hills on the west side aren't as dramatic as the hills on the east side unless you are talkin' the big border lakes like Lac la Croix.

I've been on both sides and like both alot. From what you're describing, you might find a LLC loop on the west side fits your desires. You could loop up from EP 16 to Lady Boot and then enter some of the smaller "interior" lakes/streams down to Oyster, or loop up from EP14 and head to the smaller lakes/streams just south of the border (e.g., Steep, Eugene, Finger, etc). Scenery and fishing can be quite nice, although you will see other paddlers the first and last day from either entry point.

quote inspector13: "
DayDreaming: That is what I mean. In my experience, the hills on the west side aren't as dramatic as the hills on the east side unless you are talkin' the big border lakes like Lac la Croix.


"

oooh. I must have been upside down when reading

I would second PineKnot's suggestion of Little Indian Sioux North (EP #14) through Steep, Finger, etc.

I like the Isabella area, but it's hard to do much of a loop there. Plus, there is a washout on the Tomahawk Trail which necessitates a long detour to reach the more remote entries there.

quote ChazzTheGnome: "Don't forget/overlook east side jr (tofte). That would be my vote."

I'd keep in mind Chazz's comment here, because by going all the way to trail's end you're really driving quite a bit inside the BWCA and going by a number of closer east-side entry points. Don't discount these east-side sites. Going in at Brule, Homer, Sawbill, etc. can get you to some pretty nice areas without driving all the way to Grand Marais and hanging a left up the Gunflint.
Don't get me wrong, I love the west-side and Gunflint entry points I've been in on, but I'm just saying don't overlook the "near" east-side entries.

quote LoneWolf: "

quote ChazzTheGnome: "Don't forget/overlook east side jr (tofte). That would be my vote."

I'd keep in mind Chazz's comment here, because by going all the way to trail's end you're really driving quite a bit inside the BWCA and going by a number of closer east-side entry points. Don't discount these east-side sites. Going in at Brule, Homer, Sawbill, etc. can get you to some pretty nice areas without driving all the way to Grand Marais and hanging a left up the Gunflint.
Don't get me wrong, I love the west-side and Gunflint entry points I've been in on, but I'm just saying don't overlook the "near" east-side entries."

just what i was getting at. from my place in the north burbs i can be paddling on sawbill in about 4 and half hours (in good to perfect conditions). thats why i am fan of the tofte area eps.

You didn't mention whether or not you like to fish. If you do, then the big lakes on the west side offer some of the best fishing in the BWCA. Many of those lakes are also broken up with small bays, islands and channels, which make them feel smaller and safer, but complicates navigation. I'm thinking Crooked and Insula in particular.

I'm mostly for seeing the terrain and exploring. If i have time after setting camp i'd like to go try and get some quick fish if possible. Last year we started off at Seagull lake and ended up staying on alpine lake the whole time. We found an awesome site and weather was nice so we just stayed there and relaxed and went fishing.

how about a trip to Lower Basswood Falls? Enter at Mudro. I think. ;-)