Boundary Waters Canoe Area:
The Crown Jewel of Minnesota
Sunday Sept 8 - Friday Sept 13, 2024
Trip Description: Join us for this once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the crown jewel of Minnesota nature, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Located in northern Minnesota on the Canadian border, this area is famous for its pristine lakes, singing loons and great fishing. This trip will be a backpacking canoe trip, meaning every participant will work in community with others on the trip to share responsibilities like cooking, building fires, switching off paddling, and securing food supplies overnight. Trips to the BWCA are considered a right of passage in Minnesota culture, and I am excited to share this experience with you!
Note: Flights to/from MSP Airport are not included. Our backpacking trip will start at the entry point the night before Sept 8th, including staying in the bunkhouse, and departing on Sept 9th until exiting the BWCA on Sept 13th. Plan an extra day on both ends for air travel to/from MSP Airport.
Route Overview: Starting on Saganaga Lake we will travel north and after two days or so of paddling, around the time you start to miss portaging we will turn around to return to Saganaga Lake. Red line indicates 30-mile route. We will have one base camp day at the halfway points of the trip, averaging 7-8mi/day traveling to and from.
Distance: ~30miles
Route Type: Loop
Schedule:
Sunday, Sept 8th
Arrive to MSP, drive to Seagull Outfitters (5hrs). Overnight stay in the bunkhouse included with registration costs. Equipment check.
Monday, Sept 9th
Depart from entry location, Point #55 Saganaga Lake. Paddle for day, no portages.
Tuesday, Sept 10th
Continue along route through 6 portages until stay at Amoeber Lake to find camp.
Wednesday, Sept 11th
Day trip to islands and lakes. Enjoy camp or fishing.
Thursday, Sept 12th
Canoe/portage to campsite #3, including 10 portages.
Friday, Sept 20th
Depart for Exit #55 Saganaga Lake, no portaging. 5-hour drive back to Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
The below map depicts our route and campsites available for use (colored dots). We will camp at the nearest available campsite in relation to our resting locations (numbered below).
Cost: See per person registration type. This includes canoe rentals, permits, and Bunk House accommodations the night before, if available. Flights not included. Food and Travel (car ride north) coordination is recommended with the Trip Leader.
Cancellation/Refund: Refunds are available until Aug 1st, 2024. Unless an alternate attendee is confirmed, a refund will not be provided after 8/1/2024.
Travel: Coordination with the Trip Leader is encouraged. Flights are not included, but an early arrival Tuesday is recommended for the drive up to BWCA. You are responsible for your travel to Seagull Outfitters, but Trip Leader assistance is available. Direct flights from San Diego to MSP are available through Sun Country and Delta Airlines. It is a 5hour drive from the airport to the BWCA, so early arrival is critical.
Experience: This trip does not require previous canoe/portage experience, and is considered an intermediate route due to the number of portages and one (1) base camp day included in the schedule. If you have never portaged or paddled, please let the Trip Leader know and they will be more than happy to explain skill requirements. We will be teaching these skills day 1 and on as well!
Weather: These mid-summer temperatures are high 50s to high 70s. Of course, mid-August is warmer than early July, and you can expect a bump in humidity as the summer progresses. August averages about 8 days of rain, so bring rain gear. This is the end of the mosquito season, meaning mosquitos will be waning but this is always location dependent in the BWCA.
Bring: 10 Essentials (no kidding, every person needs a personal first aid kit); water filtration; food for each meal plus extra snacks; water bottle and filter system; sleeping bag and pad; tent; appropriate footwear (land and water); layered clothing; jacket; rain gear; wide hat; compass; toilet paper & trowel; jet boil/compact camping stove; fire starter; headlamp; sunglasses; sunscreen; insect repellant; camera and entertainment (book, card game, etc).
Note: Some communal equipment will be utilized, like jet boils/stove and Duluth packs to reduce duplicative equipment being carried.
Other Considerations: As with any backcountry experience, this one is "Leave no Trace" - our trash comes out with us. Active bear area - mandatory use of either bear cannisters or hanging food sacks.
Trip Leader: Tyler Roosden (651.497.1611) or at redde022@umn.edu
