Hello TT, looks like I just missed giving advice but I'm glad you had a great time. I actually posed the same question over on the bwca.com forums earlier this summer. Some friends and I successfully took a disabled friend of ours on his first BWCA trip at the end of June. We ended up going Fall Lake to Basswood as others here have suggested. The portages are virtual gravel roads. The only downside is, of course, that it's motorized. How was Kawishiwi for accessibility?

Other routes recommended to us included the Numbered Lakes (an obvious lack of portages) and the Sawbill-Alton route over the old railroad line portage. I've personally not been to the numbered lakes so TT I'd be interested to hear about your thoughts on that, too. We're all already looking forward to our next trip.

Also, I want to second Jackfish. The trip was entirely made possible by Kevin Carr who generously let us use one of his adaptive paddling canoe seats. If anyone's interested, he has a site specifically set up for adaptive paddling seats he makes (by hand): (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links). Thanks Kevin!

Oops...Lake One that is.

For any who may have wondered where we went, we ended up at Kawishiwi Lake. Just got back yesterday. It worked out well for us. I did call Wilderness Inquiry, they said most of their trips are on the number lakes out of Ely.  A few of us are going up to Lake in a couple weeks to check it out for a possible trip next year.
Thanks again to all for input and suggestions.

Good luck TT.  Remember, Wilderness Inquiry (WI) might be a great source of information and advice.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

My son is disabled, and has taken canoe trips with WI on the St. Croix river.  He had a blast. 

prouboy

I can't help you with any ideas of my own, but I give credit to you and your group for looking for ways to take your fiancee' into the BW in spite of his wheelchair.  You're a special lady.

If he needs any assistance sitting in the canoe, there are adaptive seats being made by Kevin Carr at Chosen Valley Canoe Assessories.  Here's the website:  

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Give him a call to see if the seat might work in your fiancee's situation.

thanks for the suggestions and info. I will discuss these options with my group...

  I figured the game cart would be illegal for it's intended purpose, but if the rangers are reasonable at all, and permission is granted before hand, it would at least be worth the effort, if you like the idea.
When they allow wheelchairs, they must know there is an opportunity for abuse IF the parties are so inclined.
Never hurts too ask.

Saganaga Lake is accessible without portages.  Trout Lake (adjacent to Vermilion) has one portage, but it is a gravel road and probably do-able with a wheel chair.  It is a short boat ride or paddle to Trout Lake from Mocassin Point, Hwy 77, Tower, MN. 

Per (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

"Portage wheels or mechanical assistance are only permitted over the following areas: International Boundary, Four-Mile Portage, Fall-Newton-Pipestone and Back Bay Portages into Basswood Lake, Prairie Portage, and Vermillion-Trout Lake Portage."

Agree with Mad_Matt that you should check with the Forest Service.  ADA has provisions, but doesn't necessarily superceed the FS regulations, as legally it appears to be a grey area.  Don't know the rangers out there this year, but past experience has shown them to be extremely reasonable.  IF you ran across them, I doubt they would even begin to take issue with you.  The above regulation more aptly pertains to use of a wheel for transportation of canoes & other gear, not persons with disabilities.  Obviously, no motorized scooters or wheelchairs are allowed.  I like the game carrier idea, or a fold-up wheelchair.  Just don't use the wheels for transportation of ANYTHING else, however tempting it may be, and be sure you stick to existing trails.  Practice leave no trace.

"They had an ingenious idea that worked real well on the open but rocky portages. They had brought along a Game Carrier, that you would normally use to transport deer sized animals in the field. The handicap person sat looking backward and one guy was on the handle and another walked behind too stabilize or assist if there was any problems."

a game cart is illegal to use within a designated wilderness, as is a mountain bike, sailboat and similar "mechanical" conveyances.  I'm assuming there is some exemption for a wheel chair under ADA? - possibly a game cart could be considered a form of wheelchair in this case, but
anyone considering that should check with the forest service.