BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
June 01 2024
Entry Point 54 - Seagull Lake
Number of Permits per Day: 8
Elevation: 1205 feet
Latitude: 48.1469
Longitude: -90.8693
Friday, August 28, 2015 Friday : up at 6:00 a.m. We decided we better head out today, we knew when we headed in that the weather was supposed to get stormy later today. Right after I got out of the tent, I heard a huge rustle in the tree across & the lake. I first thought it was a bear or moose I was ready to get Dan from the tent, then all the sudden a tree branch fell out into the lake and here came a beaver pulling a branch. What a relief. We were loaded and in our canoe by 8:00 a.m. and headed to the portage. We were the only canoe on the lake at this point. We made it to the portage & we made it back in the lake easily. It was a gray day & so far low winds. As we paddled on Brule we saw many other canoes heading across the lake. We were deliberating getting camp somewhere on Brule for the night and head out the rest of the way Saturday. We asked another canoe about the weather and they said it was supposed to rain and be windy on Friday night. The wind had started picking up & and the sky was still gray. We saw a huge Eagle in the tree out in the lake. We carefully approached the tree & was able to get a picture of him. The Eagle stayed right there and let us take a picture. We decided to go ahead and get off the lake. We reached the landing at 11:15 a.m. So happy to be there but sad for the adventure to end. There was a group dropping off someone and another canoe headed back out and another canoe starting their journey. We headed back to Sawbill to drop off the canoe, have lunch and take a $4:00 shower, pure heaven. We then took our time to see the sites at Lake Superior. We had called and got a camp site in Deluth at Spirit Mountain. What a neat place. At 4:00 a.m. the Thunder started and my husband woke me up and said let’s go before it starts to rain. He thought it was 6:00 a.m. we were both surprised to see the clock in the truck say 4:00 am; just as we left the campground it started pouring rain. It rained for a while, we drove in fog. We arrived in Lincoln NE at 2:00 p.m. I had said before we go again I need to get this published on the BWCA, so here it is July 2017 and we are getting ready to head back to the BWCA for our 3rd trip in August 2017.
Boundary Waters May, 2023
Entry Date:
May 28, 2023
Entry Point:
South Lake
Exit Point:
Clearwater Lake (62)
Number of Days:
6
Group Size:
5
We set out today on Gun Flint Lake and paddled for two-three hours before getting out of the canoe to the next lake.
The wind over the water created some choppy waves, but not enough to slow us down. To carry the canoe overland one must delicately lift the canoe and avoid falling.
The pines stood sentinel over the lakes as we paddled. Now the wind whispers through the pines as I write this in camp.
We paddled to Rose Lake with two short portages. Now we are in camp after a hike to a water fall and the top of a ridge line. The geological features consist of exposed cliff formations with depressions in between.
Optically this presents the appearance of a staircase of rock ledges undulating into valleys.
Mountain Lake
Today has been the most strenuous. We had three overland hikes with canoes and packs on our back. If one extends their arms fully and places the fingers on the side of the canoe it is fairly easy to balance the canoe on the shoulders.
We had to traverse two beaver ponds with bunches of gnawed trees obstructing us. One beaver swam out and dove under the water. We also saw two bald eagles. As we entered Mountain Lake from our last portage the sun reappeared and shimmered off the water. We found camp in a pine thicket ; now the fire is cooking our provisions of rice and sausage.
Mountain Lake
Today has been the most strenuous. We had three overland hikes with canoes and packs on our back. If one extends their arms fully and places the fingers on the side of the canoe it is fairly easy to balance the canoe on the shoulders.
We had to traverse two beaver ponds with bunches of gnawed trees obstructing us. One beaver swam out and dove under the water. We also saw two bald eagles. As we entered Mountain Lake from our last portage the sun reappeared and shimmered off the water. We found camp in a pine thicket ; now the fire is cooking our provisions of rice and sausage.
Last night in camp. We spent all day on shore. Chelsea, the two Toms, and I played a round of spades. I took a few pictures of the sunset. The Big Dipper came out, and I saw Venus from the waterline. Right before bed I stood by a tree listening to the quiet on the lake. The water stood still and all one could hear was frogs in the distance. You could see the profound silence.
Tomorrow we paddle to a portage onto Clearwater Lake, then to the outfitters. The Boundary Waters are beautiful. A profound scene is paddling on a shimmering lake while forests of pine and outcrops of sheer rock formations rise like sentinels from the water's edge. The work of paddling, carrying the canoe, and camp chores add to the moment. For everything done here is done in the present, with little regard for past or future.
To get to where one needs to go, to cook a meal, to look upon the landscape, and to discuss it all with friends in camp is what happily occupies the mind. Existence is not based on a timed schedule here, but on what needs to get done. The laboring for existence in these woods is what gives existence its vitality.
We paddled Clearwater Lake to Clearwater Outfitters, concluding our trip.
Thank you Chelsea, Tom R., Tom C., and Dad for a great time!!!
-Brian Sando