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Brule/Temperance camping info

Author:

Date/Time: 06/20/2013 05:18AM

Subject: Brule/Temperance camping info

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Previous Messages:
Author	Message Text
nofish	07/06/2012 12:59PM Just keep her straight and steady and you'll have a great trip. Don't let the horror stories scare you too much. They are more a reminder to pay attention to the conditions more than anything. You might have a head wind but more often than not its manageable, just might be a little tired is all. Of course I've also been on Brule when it was flat calm and I was begging for a cool wind from any direction. Have a good trip and let us know how it went when you get back.
corvidologist	07/06/2012 10:41AM quote nofish: "quote corvidologist: "Well, we are trying to head west into the Temperance Lakes, so hopefully we don't have to cross the lake directly, but I'm nervous about NW winds. I guess if there's a blow we'll just try to hide behind the islands or wait for it to die. Now I'm getting nervous. " If there is a strong wind out of the west it will be a tough paddle. Even if its not a dangerous paddle it will still take a lot of energy to paddle into the wind that long. If the wind is out of a more northwest or southwest direction you should be able to take shelter from it along either the north or south shore and then follow the shore as you go west. You'll still need to deal with some wind in those scenarios but not as much. Like was mentioned get as early of a start as possible and hopefully you can paddle the bulk of Brule before any winds kick up." We've decided to motel it in Silver Bay so we can pick the third canoe up at 7am and get on the water ASAP. I've been checking the weather and it's obvious the wind can really pick up in the afternoon, but we're hoping to avoid the worst of it. Thanks all for the advice.
nofish	07/06/2012 08:12AM quote corvidologist: "Well, we are trying to head west into the Temperance Lakes, so hopefully we don't have to cross the lake directly, but I'm nervous about NW winds. I guess if there's a blow we'll just try to hide behind the islands or wait for it to die. Now I'm getting nervous. " If there is a strong wind out of the west it will be a tough paddle. Even if its not a dangerous paddle it will still take a lot of energy to paddle into the wind that long. If the wind is out of a more northwest or southwest direction you should be able to take shelter from it along either the north or south shore and then follow the shore as you go west. You'll still need to deal with some wind in those scenarios but not as much. Like was mentioned get as early of a start as possible and hopefully you can paddle the bulk of Brule before any winds kick up.
tinkerer	07/05/2012 11:26PM From the south at the time. We had about a 1 mile paddle to find calm waters. My wife is not the strongest paddler but we made it just fine, it just wore us both down. As long as everyone is aware of their surroundings and knows the limitations of the canoe it will be a fine time.
corvidologist	07/04/2012 12:44PM quote tinkerer: "I just got back from Brule today. The lake was busy at times but there were always sites around. The wind was a bear from last Wednesday to Saturday when we pulled out. Like what was stated earlier, get out early and keep in mind what could be if you have to paddle the opposite direction to get out. We had a camp move on Wednesday from south cone to the east end of Brule and the waves were killer once we got out of cone bay into the open lake. We ended up having one of the hardest paddles my wife and I have ever done just trying to make it to cover on the southern side of the lake. Caution is the better part of valor. " Which way was the wind coming from in that case, tinkerer?
corvidologist	07/04/2012 12:12PM Well, we are trying to head west into the Temperance Lakes, so hopefully we don't have to cross the lake directly, but I'm nervous about NW winds. I guess if there's a blow we'll just try to hide behind the islands or wait for it to die. Now I'm getting nervous.
nofish	07/03/2012 05:00PM I've done that exact paddle from Cone Bay to the south shore in rough conditions and its no fun for sure.
tinkerer	07/03/2012 03:45PM I just got back from Brule today. The lake was busy at times but there were always sites around. The wind was a bear from last Wednesday to Saturday when we pulled out. Like what was stated earlier, get out early and keep in mind what could be if you have to paddle the opposite direction to get out. We had a camp move on Wednesday from south cone to the east end of Brule and the waves were killer once we got out of cone bay into the open lake. We ended up having one of the hardest paddles my wife and I have ever done just trying to make it to cover on the southern side of the lake. Caution is the better part of valor.
Mort	07/02/2012 06:04AM I think it will help if you plan to serve something quick and easy for breakfast that first morning, i.e. cold cereal, instant oatmeal, etc.
WhiteWolf	07/02/2012 04:03AM One tip is to bring an spare tent and sleeping bags if you have them so that you can leave your BWCA gear all packed. Makes for a quicker get away in the morning and if it rains you aren't starting a trip with wet gear. +1--- really can save more time then you think in the AM. Espeically if it's raining as I just fold tent up and not stuff (put in cooler or something) ,, it has to be dried anyway. An extra pad/bag packed saves at least 15 min. Doesn't sound like much,, but it all adds up on the first day and can be the diff betwn your group getting that planned 4-5* or not.
nofish	07/01/2012 08:39PM I've been up there in June, July, and August and while Brule can be crowded I've always been able to find a site somewhere. The problem is its a big lake and it can take a long time to check out all the sites. I'd recommend bringing a good pair of binoculars so that you can check out sites from a distance. I can save you the trouble of checking out the far site on the north east corner of Cone Bay. Its more of a winter camping site and would be a pretty awful summer site so I'd avoid that one. Other than that like everyone said just get on the water early. What I do is drive up from the twin cities after work and stay at Temperance river state park the night before since its right next to the ranger station where I get my permits. I'm pulling into park pretty late after driving up but I can get a couple hours of sleep and then be at the station when it opens and I'm on my way. One tip is to bring an spare tent and sleeping bags if you have them so that you can leave your BWCA gear all packed. Makes for a quicker get away in the morning and if it rains you aren't starting a trip with wet gear.
corvidologist	07/01/2012 07:25PM Thanks all. I think we'll just shoot for getting there as early as possible, potentially staying on the way up from the Cities or something. I'd like to not have to push to Cherokee the first day, but we shall see. I keep hearing the Cherokee-Sitka portage is awful.
MHS67	06/27/2012 09:32PM Brule Lake is a great lake to base camp. Another issue is finding a site that will accommodate 6 people. The site on Rauhn Island is large enough and there is pretty good fishing around the island. After you leave the bay the entry point is in almost straight north on the island is another pretty large site. Taking the NEW mother-in-law, gutsy call!! Have a good trip.
boonie	06/27/2012 08:59PM Here is a link to permit availability the week before your entry date.
Prosper	06/27/2012 07:36PM With a 1st timer you definitely want to get on the water early, not only to have a better chance at getting a site but also to avoid the really big waves that can whip up on Brule in the afternoon even with a mild to moderate wind. A couple of years ago we put in on Brule on a Friday and all the sites on both Temperance Lakes were taken by the early afternoon. They were both pretty crowded. We paddled onto Cherokee and found a great site but it was a fair amount further. I've never camped on Brule but ran into a group who couldn't find a site on a summer weekend. Hope this is helpful.
corvidologist	06/27/2012 05:32PM Hey all- I'm going in with a group of 6 on EP 41 (Brule), on Monday July 9. We have a new paddler, my new mother-in-law, going with us. She's awesome, but a bit older. We're becoming paranoid that Brule may be a bit much (of course, depending on wind - it could be a bit much for anyone). My question is... have folks been having issues getting sites on Brule or the Temperance Lakes? We're worried we're not going to be able to go very far. I know that the solution here is to get on the water early, but any feedback would be appreciated.

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