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      Trip Report - Saganaga to Ester Basecamp-A Rookie’s Tale
 
  Last Visit: 05/10/2024 01:29AM

Entry Point 55 - Saganaga Lake


view flash version | view topographic map
Saganaga Lake entry point allows overnight paddle or motor (25 HP max). This entry point is supported by Gunflint Ranger Station near the city of Grand Marais, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 55 miles. No motors (use or possession) west of American Point. Access to Canada (the Crown land and Quetico Park). Large lake with many campsites and easy access. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 15
Elevation: 1184 feet
Latitude: 48.1716
Longitude: -90.8868
Author Message Text
YardstickAngler
senior membersenior membersenior member
 
06/11/2022 01:40PM
  
New Trip Report posted by YardstickAngler

Trip Name: Saganaga to Ester Basecamp-A Rookie’s Tale.

Entry Point: 55A

Click Here to View Trip Report
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YetiJedi
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
06/11/2022 04:28PM
  
Nice trip report, Yardstick! Glad you caught that laker, found your phone, and successfully adjusted the tarp and tent. Sounds like an all-around great experience...hopefully you're hooked and will return for more. :)
YardstickAngler
senior membersenior membersenior member
 
06/11/2022 04:59PM
  
Oh I will be back! I’ve been spending a lot of time with the maps lately…dreaming, pondering.
CanoeGuru
membermember
 
06/11/2022 07:47PM
  
Once I forgot my tent at home and didn't realize it until we were 10 miles into the park. I'm proud to say that we laughed it off and continued on with the trip. Just more stories to remember like your phone and leeches!

“Simplicity in all things is the secret of the wilderness and one of its most valuable lessons.” ~Sigurd F. Olson
YardstickAngler
senior membersenior membersenior member
 
06/11/2022 08:50PM
  
The tent! Oh wow…now that’s a really good story!
straighthairedcurly
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
06/11/2022 09:18PM
  
Loved the log "anchor"...gave me good chuckle. Thanks for a great report about a first-time experience. Your smile in each photo really showed the joy you felt! Congrats on a great 1st trip.
YardstickAngler
senior membersenior membersenior member
 
06/11/2022 09:27PM
  
Thank you! I can’t tell you how long I looked forward to this, and yet how it still surpassed my expectations!


And that log had us completely pooped out!
missmolly
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
06/11/2022 10:07PM
  
Big smiles and big memories!

I will paddle eternal, Kevlar and carbon.
gravelroad
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
06/13/2022 09:47AM
  
I have just two words for you: Kawnipi Lake.











You already know how to deal with Sag, especially the navigational issues. :-) In addition to some great fishing, here's a taste of what you might see:

Lynx canadensis aquaticus










And your friends at Tuscarora can give you expert advice as well:



Falls Chain to Kawnipi
YardstickAngler
senior membersenior membersenior member
 
06/13/2022 02:50PM
  
Thank you! I will certainly keep this in mind for the day I make my maiden voyage into Quetico.
SaganagaJoe
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
06/15/2022 10:37AM
  
Lots of good memories from that area including my first trip (my report is posted here if you'd like to read it sometime). Your rookie day was very similar to mine in the sense that we both got lost navigating Saganaga and were shocked to find out we were paddling in the opposite direction from American Point. You had much better weather than we did on that trip. Glad you could get out there. Joe

aka HermitThrush "Such sights as this are reserved for those who will suffer to behold them." -Eric Sevareid
paddlefamily
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
06/15/2022 12:11PM
  
Great report! Here's the beginning of more adventures. We started going to the BW 22 years ago and I'll never forget the first trip. So many incredible experiences and lots of opportunity to grow and learn. Thanks for sharing.
TuscaroraBorealis
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
06/18/2022 07:58AM
  
Ester Lake is such a great destination (especially if you can get one of the 'fab 4' sites nearest the channel to Hanson) Enjoyed hearing of your experiences and seeing the big smile on your face in the pictures. Thanks for taking the time to share your story and photos- it is much appreciated.
Here's to many more.
Freeleo1
distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
 
06/20/2022 09:33AM
  
Thanks for sharing your first trip. It is always fun to see it through a first-timer's perspective. Plan on bringing the wife and kids when the kids are old enough. It is a great experience for them to get away from technology for a while.

"Geography is just physics slowed down, with a couple of trees stuck in it." Terry Pratchett
Ioway
membermember
 
06/26/2022 09:35AM
  
Great report, thank you for sharing your first trip prospective. Paddling out on a flat calm Sag. is your BW first timer door prize and a Laker on your first trip, truly blessed.
CFarrow
new member
 
06/30/2022 12:18PM
  
Thank you for sharing! Good to know the water is still high. We are heading up next week - I haven't been to Boundary Waters in 30 years, so I'm a newbie. I forgot about the loons! Looking forward to hearing them again!


I'm also driving up from Kansas but luckily get to overnight in Des Moines before making the big drive. Hope to provide a good trip report when I get back.
YardstickAngler
senior membersenior membersenior member
 
06/30/2022 10:59PM
  
30 years! I look forward to reading your report!
YardstickAngler
senior membersenior membersenior member
 
06/30/2022 11:00PM
  
Thank you all so much. My wife isn’t much of a camper but I eagerly await showing the BWCA to my sons as they “age in” to it. Scouting the area and figuring out what works for their future trips is a big motivator for me.


My paddle partner was totally fired up to catch a Laker and I told him that if I actually caught one, I’d do a backflip. For all our fishing struggles, that fish just blew my mind.


So blessed. There’ll never be another first trip, but I can’t wait for the second!
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