Hello BWCA enthusiasts,

I plan on making my first solo BWCA trip in the middle of September. I'd like to do up to an eight day/seven night trip. I'm looking for recommendations of a good route to take, preferably not too strenuous as I want ample time for fishing and relaxation. I'd also like to be in an area less travelled with interesting sightings as well.

Is there any general advice for solo tripping or a forum you can refer me to? Does anyone have experience with substituting their tent for a hammock similar to the hennessy hammock, and do they recommend it?

Off the beaten path often means tougher portaging. September is a great month to travel. Try the lady chain out of Sawbill as you can add or subtract places and stops along the way.

Have you signed up for the Solo forum and the bottom of the screen? Add it to your list.

Besides the solo forum that SevenofNine mentioned there's also a private forum for hammocks - some people like them, some don't. You can find these at the bottom of the first page listing of available forums.

Are you planning to go in from the Echo Trail, the Sawbill Trail, Gunflint Trail, or Arrowhead Trail, or no preference yet?

Thats a mouthful of questions at once. Lol

Generally, routes that are not too strenuous and have good fishing, are popular routes that see more human traffic. The further away from eps you get, the less people you will see, especially further into september.

I think the best soloing advice in general i have heard on here is: wear your pfd, remember that you are doing all of the work, portaging, paddling, setting up camp etc, so plan your days accordingly, and remember that it is your trip, do it however you want to.

Check out the solo forum on this site. Tons of valuable info there.

Prepare for cool weather and few people.

And short days, long nights.

Thank you for all the advice. I didn't notice the private forums and they are very helpful.

Boonie, I don't have my heart set on a certain trail or entry point at the moment. I'm pretty open to any suggestions.

seeing as its your first solo id try to find a loop that has a bailout option. you dont know how youll react to being solo until youve done one.

You have quite a few options. Keep in mind that you'll have about 13 hours of daylight for traveling, there's a good possibility you'll be windbound for a day or even two, and everything may be a little slower than you're used to if this is your first solo. So how many miles and days do you think you'd like to travel vs. fshing and hanging out?

Remember too that camp chores will take more time since you'll have to do them all. You may want to avoid the burn areas if you're to use a hammock as suitable hanging trees may be hard to come by.

Not too sure exactly what you mean by "less traveled with interesting sightings". Maybe you could give us a better idea of that and how much of a priority is fishing.

A few notes -

Nights will be long, so unless you want to be asleep at 6:00PM, bring along both a headlamp and camp lantern.

Bring raingear.

The water is still warm, but there can be a chill in the air in the mornings - I've seen snow on the fly in late September.

After mid month you'll pretty much have the place to yourself.

Keep moving, bring reading material.

I really like hammocks, but be darn sure you have a closed cell pad underneath your sleeping bag.

Mice and Bears are both really really hungry. Suggest a bear vault for your food supplies, or your trip could be cut short. I know this from experience with fall encounters with both species.

Your trip allows for many different routes - a route up the Moose River to LLC/Iron Lake will let you enjoy good fishing, pictographs, soaring cliffs, small and big water. Five Star campsite on Tiger Bay on LLC is worth seeking out.

quote kanoes: "seeing as its your first solo id try to find a loop that has a bailout option. you dont know how youll react to being solo until youve done one."

+1 on this. Wind and weather can make a big difference solo.

I'd also add that you tend to eat a lot less by yourself. Bring somethign to entertain yourself, like a book. If you can, also experiment with a double bladed paddle (kayak style) vs regular canoe paddle. I found I liked the kayak paddle better when I soloed. As others have said, wear the PFD at all times. A strange point is if you plan on taking pictures of yourself, please be careful. I saw a guy soloing setting up his camera and running to get into position for the shot after he set the timer on it. He was dodging rocks and roots and it wouldn't have taken much to seriously hurt himself.

Setting goals for yourself each day also helps. Today I want to go X many miles, or I want to see this, or I want to catch this many fish. It helps structure the day and your time.