I know I am late in replying to this thread, but if you are still out there, DeanoD, I thought perhaps you might like a woman's perspective on this (and I also have lower back problems.)

The suggestion about Sawbill is a good one.  We recently took a trip out of Sawbill (see my trip report entitled "A Wimpy Trip Report") and we had a good time.  We went in early September and had three days at the northermost campsite on Kelso Lake and didn't see anyone at all during that time (at least not close enough to really count.)  There are options for several nice short trips out of Sawbill.  Cherokee is my favorite lake in the entire BWCA.  Or a trip over to Smoke, Burnt and Flame would be a nice adventure also.  We didn't do either of those, for some rather specific reasons this time, but we considered both, and they were excellent options for trips.

Another good possibility might be to go in at Clearwater and through Little Caribou and Caribou to Pine.  Johnson Falls is a wonderful day trip that wouldn't involve her carrying a pack.  It is a very scenic falls; if you are willing to do some climbing you can see the falls at three levels and if you like photography it is really a beautifulspot.

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Pine Lake is another favorite of mine.  However, this is a busy route in the summer.

Really nice short trips can be made out of East Bearskin, too.  I especially like trips that start off the Gunflint, and would suggest you look at some routes in that area.  

All of these short routes are busier in the summer.  I would suspect the LIS entry point route would be the same.  If you are able to consider early September, the weather is often warm and sunny during the days, the mornings are misty and cool, and there are no bugs and fewer people.  Just a suggestion.   :)

I have found, since experiencing lower back difficulties for about a decade now, that sleeping on the ground isn't nearly the problem I thought it would be as long as I have a good pad and a sleeping bag that is warm enough.  I also found that I could carry a pack on portages as long as it was the kind that had a hip strap so that the weight was evenly distributed and not all on my shoulders.  I actually portage my heaviest pack with an external frame backpack.  I realize that that is a NO-NO for almost everyone on these canoe country boards, but it works well for me and since I have gotten my new backpack, I have portaged much more comfortably than when I used the Duluth-style packs.  So when people snicker, I just smile and go on my merry way.   ;)

I think the suggestions about including her in the planning are right on!  She may not enjoy days of base-camping unless she has something that she loves to do during that time.  Of course I don't fish, so on layover days I take photos, and that is OK for a day or two, but then I want to travel again.  I would rather have a little pain involved in the traveling than stay put!  But it depends, of course, on how much pain we are talking about.  Your reference to the ER makes me think that her back situation is quite serious, and you do need to take that into consideration, too.

Involve her in the planning and give her options.  Find out what she expects and what kind of experiences she would like to have to remember after your trip is done.  

My first trip was in 1971.  My 24th was in 2009.  I am already planning my 25th.   Enjoy!

Spartan2  (also from Michigan)