We're putting in at Lizz next week. 5 days/4 nights. We have two kids, the youngest is 3.5. So we're not doing a giant trip here. What we'd ideally like is to go in, camp at one camp for two nights, then move to a new campsite and camp two more nights, and then out.

I'm thinking it would be good to day trip to Vista after the first night at camp #1 (second day), then day trip to Winchell on the fourth day. That being said...where should we try to find a campsite?

I don't think I want to just go in, say to Gaskin, and stay at the same site the whole time with daytrips. Nor do I want to move every day, because, let's face it, we're going to have a lot of stuff with the kids along.

Also if you have specific campsite suggestions, if you could at all comment on the safety issue for a 3 year old, that would be awesome. I have been reading camp comments, and it sounds like some of them have big rocks that might lend to little kids falling off. She will be wearing her life jacket A LOT, but still...it would be nice to avoid that.

Or should I just shut up and go with the flow next week? ;-) I'd like a lake destination, though, I guess...if not a specific campsite (that might be taken already, anyway).

What do you think of two nights on Horseshoe and then two on Gaskin? If we do that, how long does the take-out take on day 5? (the trip from Gaskin back to the EP...we're taking out at the same place.)

Which is further...the EP to Gaskin or the EP to Horseshoe? I'm guessing to Gaskin...we should probably have our longest day be the first day, when everyone is still excited and has the most energy. ;-)

If you camp on Gaskin try to get site #628. It's large & should be mostly kid friendly.

I think most of the sites on Horseshoe are pretty decent? I can say that there is a rock ledge that drops off 10+ feet into the lake at the southernmost site. Great for views of the lake, but something extra to watchout for with a small child. In my experience, this area is quite popular and choices may be limited so you may have to take what you can get? Go with the flow :)

As far as the time it takes to get back. You should be the ones to most accurately answer that question. Just remember how long it took you to get to Horsehoe when you came in. Just add a little (1 hour???)if you move to Gaskin before leaving.

OH! Don't forget to have fun!

I don't know why I asked that last question. It's clearly farther to Gaskin, whether you go through Meeds, etc. to get there or through Horseshoe.

A Gaskin basecamp would satisfy our day trip requirements, but not our two campsite idea. Hmmm.

Is there anything super duper great in this area that we should not miss?

You know what? Save your keystrokes. I just decided that I don't care. It's a nice area, fits our needs, and we can just GO. We'll stop when we want. Traveling with the kids that's how it's going to be, anyway, so why make a plan? If there's something we might not want to miss, please mention it...otherwise...doesn't matter. It'll be great.

quote TuscaroraBorealis: "If you camp on Gaskin try to get site #628. It's large & should be mostly kid friendly.


I think most of the sites on Horseshoe are pretty decent? I can say that there is a rock ledge that drops off 10+ feet into the lake at the southernmost site. Great for views of the lake, but something extra to watchout for with a small child. In my experience, this area is quite popular and choices may be limited so you may have to take what you can get? Go with the flow :)


As far as the time it takes to get back. You should be the ones to most accurately answer that question. Just remember how long it took you to get to Horsehoe when you came in. Just add a little (1 hour???)if you move to Gaskin before leaving.

OH! Don't forget to have fun!"

Nola, this is the site Mr. Trix & I stayed at when we camped on Gaskin. It was a very nice site. Just watch out for the psycho red squirrel! He was a stalker! Also, if you happen to be out skinny dipping (not that you will be) also watch out for the bass. They bite! Mr. Trix can attest to that! Bit him in the butt! I never laughed so hard!
There was also a nice site further down.(#634)
Horsehoe has a few nice sites that are definatly kid friendly.

I know what you mean about planning. Sometimes it's best to just go with the flow & stop & enjoy all your surroundings. No plan sometimes is the best plan! Have A Wondeful Time!
Hopefully we will see you on the following Saturday!

Horseshoe is a pretty little lake, with some nice sites on it. With small children along, it's a nice lake to stay on for a couple of days.

quote Trix: "

quote TuscaroraBorealis:


Nola, this is the site Mr. Trix & I stayed at when we camped on Gaskin. It was a very nice site. Just watch out for the psycho red squirrel! He was a stalker! Also, if you happen to be out skinny dipping (not that you will be) also watch out for the bass. They bite! Mr. Trix can attest to that! Bit him in the butt! I never laughed so hard!

Hopefully we will see you on the following Saturday!"

LMAO!! thanks for the great laughs Trix (sorry Mr. Trix) but that is hilarious!! of all the places to bite!!! LOL. poor mr. trix.

Nola, just go and enjoy your trip!!

Better the butt than around the front!

Doubt he will ever skinny dip again just to avoid that possibility Nola!!! LOL

Seriously have an awesome and fun trip.

I like your idea to just go and stop when you feel like it. We stayed at the same site on Gaskin #628 and loved it. A lot of flat/open area for your little kiddo to play. Water also went out gradually so that would be a nice area for kiddos to swim.
Gaskin had quite a few nice campsites.

I agree w/ Trix on the red squirrel. That thing was out of control. It threw a lot of pine cones at us:)

HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!! I would like to go back to the area w/ our kids and camp on Horseshoe sometime and visit Vista.

Omega was our favorite lake in the area and we also liked Allen and Pillsbury. Nice/small/skinny lakes without anyone else around.

This is the EP I took my daughter on her first trip. We stayed at the site directly across from the portage entering Caribou (645). Not a bad site and makes for a semi-short first day to get settled in. We day tripped to Vista from there and met a Mother-Son that were staying on Horseshoe. The southern most site on Vista (771) is BEAUTIFUL, but not the most kid friendly. We had our 1.5 year old there, but we had to watch him close.

quote nojobro: "Better the butt than around the front!"

That'd turn me into a one-armed skinny-dipper.

I'd vote for just going with the general plan and a lot of flexibility, especially with kids that young. Have fun.

quote croixboy96: "This is the EP I took my daughter on her first trip. We stayed at the site directly across from the portage entering Caribou (645). Not a bad site and makes for a semi-short first day to get settled in. We day tripped to Vista from there and met a Mother-Son that were staying on Horseshoe. The southern most site on Vista (771) is BEAUTIFUL, but not the most kid friendly. We had our 1.5 year old there, but we had to watch him close.


"

That site on Caribou looks great/especially for kids. I'd be tempted to take it if it's open when we go there with our kids. I've read a couple of trip reports where people had good luck shore fishing from that site.

Thanks for the "not kid friendly" info on the Vista site. That would be a long detour to turn around and go back to Horseshoe if you got there and decided you didn't want to camp there w/kids. That site has a BIG reputation for being an awesome site. Good to know maybe not with kids.

We'll see you there. My sons (10 and 12) and I are going in on Thursday. I have about 10 sites circled on my map; from Caribou to Winchell. We'll gauge the weather/wind and population, and let those point us to a campsite. I spent a lot of time on the maps section of BWCA.com; clicking on the campsites in our range and reading the reviews. Many from those on this string.

One of our day trips is the cliffs on the south side of Winchell. A bushwhack to the top may be a bit much for a 3.5 year old, but still pretty to view from the lake. Tuscarora marked a couple points of interest that we plan to check out.