I would like to go the boundary waters canoe area this year? Can anyone recommend a simple trip for a first timer?

Jerry

JERRY, DOING THE NUMBER LAKES WAS THE BEST FOR THE FIRST TIME....LAKE ONE, LAKE TWO ECT. EAST OF ELY,
THE END OF FERNBERG ROAD. WATCH THE WINDS WHEN
STARTING.

I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE THAT LAKE ONE ENTRY POINT IS NICE BUT I WOULD NOT GO THERE FO A FIRST TIMER....
YOU HAVE TO GO TO FAR FOR A CAMPSITE AND IF YOU DONT FIND ONE YOUR SCREWED !!!(BEEN THERE DONE THAT!!)
I HAVE BEEN GOING TO THE BWCA FOR 20 YEARS NOW AND IF I WERE TO PICK A TRIP FOR A FIRST TIMER IT WOULD HAVE TO BE ENTRY POINT #16 NINA MOOSE THE FIRST PORTAGE IS LONG BUT THE REWARDS ARE GREAT IF AND WHEN YOU GET TO AGNES THE FISHING SEEMS TO BE GREAT WHATEVER TIME OF YEAR AS LONG AS YOU HAVE LEECHES !!...
AND IF YOU DONT MAKE IT TO AGNES YOU CAN STILL CATCH A BUNCH OF NORTHERN ON NINA MOOSE LAKE .
AS FOR THE SCENERY ITS PROBABLY THE BEST IVE SEEN ON ANY TRIP (ASIDE FROM PAINTED ROCK LAC LA CROIX).....MY SECOND CHOICE WOULD BE FALL LAKE ENTRY BUT THAT IS A MOTOR ROUTE AND ITS BIG WATER IF YOUR NOT CANOE SAVVY...JUST MY OPINION BUT ONCE YOU MAKE A DESION AND GO, THE BOTTOM LINE IS WHAT OTHER PEOPLE LIKE MIGHT NOT BE YOU CUP OF TEA..........
GOOD LUCK IN YOUR INDEAVORS

I love the Nina Moose trail and agree that it is a great trip, but that first portage is enough to make any first timer wonder just exactly what they got themselves into!

I speak from experience. Of course, I have been going back every year since then, so either I am too dumb to learn from my mistakes, or it isn't as bad as that first portage. I'll let you decide.

Another possibility is Pine Lake or East Pike Lake. They have good fishing and are easy trips (although they are on the short side).

Good luck whichever lake you decide on.

Jimbo

My first trip was Moose River #16 also. The first portage is long (160 rods- 1/2 a mile) but not bad as it is down hill most of the way. After that the portages are not bad, but usually include a couple of Beaver Dams.
Numbered Lakes (Lake 1, 2 etc) is easy because of few long portages, but navigation is tricky with all of the islands and it is a very busy entry so finding a campsite can be (but usually not) difficult.
Another option would Little Indian Sioux-very like Moose river as it has a couple longer portages, but it has devil's cascade and lots of good fishing, especially over in Hustler area.
Try one of those-and ask the outfitters up there-They know more information then I do.

How about starting at Lake One, but going down the Kawishiwi River instead?

Wind is not much of a factor, you are going with what little flow there is, portages are short and there are high rocky cliffs along much of the river (really scenic).