Boundary Waters Trip Reports, Blog, BWCA, BWCAW, Quetico Park

BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog

April 28 2024

Entry Point 49 - Skipper & Portage Lakes

Skipper and Portage Lakes entry point allows overnight paddle only. 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 28 miles. Access is a 320-rod portage from Poplar Lake or a 230-rod portage from Iron Lake. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 2
Elevation: 1865 feet
Latitude: 48.0517
Longitude: -90.5366
Skipper & Portage Lakes - 49

Caribou lake trip Aug 9th.

by Vif
Trip Report

Entry Date: August 08, 2023
Entry Point: Skipper and Portage Lakes
Exit Point: Lizz and Swamp Lakes (47)
Number of Days: 5
Group Size: 2

Trip Introduction:
Centralize campsite out of Caribou Lake area(notable felled trees)

Report


Besides it being great to be in the BWCA. Reporting on observed excessive tree cutting on middle campsite (of three on Lake Caribou north shore). It seems like someone had a field day cutting down approx 12 freshly 'cut stump' trees within the immediate border of the campsite. All freshly cut within past month. I'd say from 1st week of July to beginning of Aug. Also noticed similar campsite on west shore campsite (daytrip) in Vista Lake (to the south of Caribou lake. In the main campsite, of Vista west shore campsite= elevated campsite, where fire grate is located- approx 6+ sizable tree stumps with crossing tree trucks remaining to block north side of area from fire grate. Could not make out the sense of either site. Maybe it was intended by trail maintenance- since so many trees had be downed...? All likely dying ash trees? Caribou campsite had trunks hauled into woods to tidy up the overall appearance. Vista site was left in 'pick up sticks' mode of placement of trunks. Perplexing ...to say the least.