Canoe BWCA’s Saganaga Lake and Surroundings

Explore one of the largest lakes in the BWCA by canoe. We plan to take about a week paddling starting at Saganaga Lake at the end of the Gunflint Trail during the second part of August.  The loop includes the US/Canadian border lakes, Ester Lake, Hanson Lake, the south arm of Knife Lake and Seagull lake.  Other loops are possible depending on the consensus of the group and the weather.  We expect to paddle 5 to 10 miles per day with several portages per day. The number of, length of and terrain of the portages usually dictates the trip difficulty.  

We will depart on August 18 in the morning. We drive one day or about 9 hours to reach the Trails End National Forest Campground at the end of the Gunflint Trail. We are on the water the morning of August 19^th. Paddling ends on August 25^th and we expect to be back in Madison on August 25 or 26^th. Three canoes and 6 people is the anticipated size of the group.  Priority will be given to drivers who can transport a canoe or have first aid training. We will bring 2 Hoofers canoes and rent one from an outfitter. We will enter the BWCA at entry point 55 which is the location of Voyageur Canoe Outfitters. You are encouraged to be part of the planning team and learn how to organize a trip like this for the future.

Costs will include transportation, food, one night at a campground, an entry permit, nightly BWCA camping fees and perhaps other miscellaneous costs. The total is expected to be around $250 per person.

A swim rating and a quiet water rating are required.  Consider canoeing and appropriate paddling exercises prior to the trip. Weekly canoeing prior to the trip is encouraged. Consider practicing carrying a 60 pound canoe for a half hour on your shoulders a few times as well.