Boundary Waters Canoe Area: Western Region. Robert Beymer

      Morning at Knife Lake

      Further discussion includes the entry point’s location, how to get there, public campgrounds nearby, amount of motorized use (if any) through the entry point, and other comments of interest to canoeists.

      Following the discussion of an entry point are suggestions for two routes from that entry point. The first is a short route that can be completed by most groups in two to four days. The second is a longer route that takes four to eight days. It is important to understand that this book is merely an accumulation of suggestions. It does not describe all possible routes through the BWCAW. Quite the contrary, the routes that you could take are virtually infinite in number. You may wish to follow only a part of one route, or you may wish to combine two or more routes. Do not feel bound to the routes exactly as they are described in this book. You may follow them precisely as written, but you may also use the suggestions simply as a basis for planning your own route.

      The introductory remarks about each route tell you: 1) the minimum number of days to allow; 2) the length of the route; 3) the number of different lakes, rivers, and creeks encountered, as well as the number of portages en route; 4) the difficulty (easier, challenging, most rugged), 5) the maps needed for the route, and 6) general comments, including to whom the route should appeal. Then each route is broken down into suggested days, giving the sequence of lakes, streams, and portages, followed by points of special interest.

      EXAMPLE: Day 2 (13 miles): Little Trout Lake, p. 376 rods, Little Indian Sioux River, p. 32 rods, river, p. 32 rods, river, p. 12 rods, river, rapids, river, rapids, river, p. 70 rods, river, p. 40 rods, river, p. 34 rods, river, p. 35 rods, river, p. 120 rods, Otter Lake. You will find this day to be a sharp contrast to the prior day of paddling on large lakes… etc.

      EXPLANATION: On the second day of this route, you will paddle across Little Trout Lake and then portage 376 rods to the Little Indian Sioux River. You will follow the river to Otter Lake, negotiating eight portages and some rapids along the way. You will make camp on Otter Lake at a campsite that is marked by a red dot on the map. Comments about the day’s route follow the outlined sequence of lakes, rivers, and portages.

      Most of the routes suggested are “loops”—they begin and end at (or within walking distance of) the same location. There is no need for car shuttles between two points. Other routes start at one entry point and end at another entry point far enough away to necessitate a shuttle. The name of each route indicates whether the trip is a “loop” (The Eddie Falls Loop) or requires a “shuttle” (The Three Rivers Route). If a shuttle is required, drop off your vehicle at the end of the route prior to starting the journey. That generally works better than scheduling a predetermined pick-up time at the end of your trip. If your parked vehicle is waiting for you, you won’t be under any pressure to arrive at a particular time. Make sure to park in approved areas, lock your doors, and remember which hidden pack pocket holds your keys.

      Of course, any route may be made more difficult by completing it in fewer days than recommended, or made easier by adding days. If fishing is a priority for your trip, you should consider adding at least one day for every three days suggested in this guide. For longer trips, you may also want to add layover days to your schedule. The longer you are trekking, the more likely you are to encounter strong wind, foul weather, sickness, or injury that could slow your progress. (Always