They are talking border closed til 7-21, but who knows. I have a Sarah Lake entry for 7-30. Should I make alternate plans in the BWCA? Caveat: I hate crowds.

You would be going at the BW peak for crowds.  My advice would be to take a tough entry like Angleworm or maybe Hog Creek.  The problem is getting a campsite on night one.  If you do get a "regular" entry maybe start right at sun up and go until you find a decent site.  Then push to the interior on day 2.

Grand Marais is reporting that the border closure will be at least through the end of July. Sorry ‘bout that.

Old Salt wrote on Jun 12^th, 2020 at 4:07am:

Grand Marais is reporting that the border closure will be at least through the end of July. Sorry ‘bout that.

I have no expectation that they will open the border before 2021.  Cases are going up in some states and people are starting to get relaxed and think it's over.  Big mistake IMO but Canada is watching us closely and I would imagine they have no interest in letting our people in.

There's decent lakes and routes in the BW.  Just look for the tough ones going in and you should get some solitude.  Adding a PMA area is not a bad idea either. Best of luck.

If you enter on a weekday rather than a weekend you will increase the probability of finding a camp site your first night and probably reduce crowding at the portages.

TomT wrote on Jun 12^th, 2020 at 10:58am:

I have no expectation that they will open the border before 2021.  Cases are going up in some states and people are starting to get relaxed and think it's over.  Big mistake IMO but Canada is watching us closely and I would imagine they have no interest in letting our people in.

I agree. People are getting foolish. I just hope the growing number of cases and deaths don't overwhelm the healthcare system.

BillConner wrote on Jun 13^th, 2020 at 10:29am:

TomT wrote on Jun 12th, 2020 at 10:58am: I have no expectation that they will open the border before 2021.  Cases are going up in some states and people are starting to get relaxed and think it's over.  Big mistake IMO but Canada is watching us closely and I would imagine they have no interest in letting our people in. I agree. People are getting foolish. I just hope the growing number of cases and deaths don't overwhelm the healthcare system.

This is my take as well. There will be enough spikes in cases, unfortunately for the people who fall ill to keep the hospitals on alert and the border with Canada closed for the rest of the summer. I'm thinking a vaccine is about the only way out of this but I could be wrong. I'm not an epidemiologist.

BWCA likely next week for me. I'm waiting to nail down some dates for other work stuff but I need to get out.

What is camping like in the PMAs in the BWCA? Anyone done it?

Similar to Quetico, but no mint on your pillow.

goblu79 wrote on Jun 14^th, 2020 at 7:23pm:

What is camping like in the PMAs in the BWCA? Anyone done it?

There’s videos on YouTube of camps and portaging in the PMAs. I believe portage dog and magic paddler will be starting a trip soon that includes a PMA. I’m sure they can fill us in what it’s like.

I don't have any PMA experience, but can tell you that you'll need to get a special permit to camp in one. The portages are not maintained and you'll have to practice very strict LNT camping. Some PMAs see more travel than others, consequently would be easier going. Somebody has a website with some information. If I find the link, I'll post it for you.

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Lots of good information about the pma's at that link Boonie, thanks.  If I was in my 20's I would be all over it.   ;D  I've been to Raven Lake in the Mugwump pma back in 2009.  That lake gets some visitors every year and the trail wasn't difficult.  After watching some trip videos of other pma's I think I'll pass.  But if you have the energy and want solitude, that's where to go with the Canadian Border closed for now.

Okay, let's assume I take a Fall Lake permit on 7-30. We paddle north into Basswood. Would I expect to be runover by people? This is option 1.

Option 2. I take an Angleworm permit...portage forever and go north into Bear Trap and possibly the PMA. Lots of folks in this area?

PMAs are primitive maintenance areas with no portage maintenance and campsites. Lots of fun just like Wabakimi and to some degree WCPP. Bring your handsaw.

goblu79 wrote on Jun 15^th, 2020 at 12:42am:

Okay, let's assume I take a Fall Lake permit on 7-30. We paddle north into Basswood. Would I expect to be runover by people? This is option 1. Option 2. I take an Angleworm permit...portage forever and go north into Bear Trap and possibly the PMA. Lots of folks in this area?

Basswood and the border lakes will be ful of not only campers but motor boats as well at that time of year.  I don't know how old you are but I know I regret not doing more bushwhacking trips to the interior when I was in my 30's and 40's.  I'm now 60 and still in shape but the endurance has slipped.  Goblu, these times we are in now could be the motivator for you to do that "hard" but very rewarding trip that you won't want to do as you approach geezerdom.  ;D

You also have plenty of time if you start asap to get in really good shape.  Best of luck with your decision.

I would suggest that if you take option 1 that you contact Packsack outfitters and get a tow to the top of Pipestone Bay. You will avoid 3-4 hours of paddling, the motorboats, and be dropped off just south of upper Basswood Falls. From that vantage point, you can travel down the Basswood River or east across Basswood Lake following the border.

I think we are going to take an Angleworm Lake permit and head for Bear Trap Lake. We might try a couple days in Sundial PMA. Thank you all so much for all your help...I might be asking more questions as time goes forward.

goblu79 wrote on Jun 15^th, 2020 at 10:16pm:

I think we are going to take an Angleworm Lake permit and head for Bear Trap Lake. We might try a couple days in Sundial PMA. Thank you all so much for all your help...I might be asking more questions as time goes forward.

I like it.  It will have a wilderness feel to it rather than hearing boats and fighting for sites on the border lakes.  It would be cool if you did up a report for us as well.  Go for that PMA because you most likely never will want to again.

It was announced today that the US Canuck border closure has been extended through at least July 21.

We'll finally get a wall and Mexico and Canada will pay for it.  ;D

goblu79 wrote on Jun 15^th, 2020 at 10:16pm:

I think we are going to take an Angleworm Lake permit and head for Bear Trap Lake. We might try a couple days in Sundial PMA. Thank you all so much for all your help...I might be asking more questions as time goes forward.

Get a PMA permit for Sunday. It's usually deserted and it has one good campsite on it. Beautiful little lake. I'm told the fishing is good there...if you catch anything, don't let anyone else know  :)

So...…..the group is down to four. We had a good deal of trouble landing a PMA permit and for several weeks it looked as if one couldn't be gotten at all. In the mean time, I decided to do something I've always wanted to do. Instead of canoeing in the BWCA this year, I'm going to hike the Angleworm Trail and bring my float tube along. I'll fish Angleworm, Home and Whiskey Jack lakes while my two buddies head out to Bear Trap and spend two days in the Eastern Sector of Sundial. I debated for a long time whether to go with them, or do this crazy float tube thing I've always wanted to do...the tube won.

goblu79 wrote on Jul 7^th, 2020 at 1:16am:

So...…..the group is down to four. We had a good deal of trouble landing a PMA permit and for several weeks it looked as if one couldn't be gotten at all. In the mean time, I decided to do something I've always wanted to do. Instead of canoeing in the BWCA this year, I'm going to hike the Angleworm Trail and bring my float tube along. I'll fish Angleworm, Home and Whiskey Jack lakes while my two buddies head out to Bear Trap and spend two days in the Eastern Sector of Sundial. I debated for a long time whether to go with them, or do this crazy float tube thing I've always wanted to do...the tube won.

As a fellow former float tuber I applaud this decision.  I remember years ago an article in the BW Journal about float tubing the BW/Quetico.  There is no better angling thrill than catching fish out of a tube.  The stealth quality of them is really fun.  Please do up a report on this trip for us ok?  Have a great trip!

You'll get one, complete with pictures!!

TomT wrote on Jul 7^th, 2020 at 11:06am:

goblu79 wrote on Jul 7th, 2020 at 1:16am: So...…..the group is down to four. We had a good deal of trouble landing a PMA permit and for several weeks it looked as if one couldn't be gotten at all. In the mean time, I decided to do something I've always wanted to do. Instead of canoeing in the BWCA this year, I'm going to hike the Angleworm Trail and bring my float tube along. I'll fish Angleworm, Home and Whiskey Jack lakes while my two buddies head out to Bear Trap and spend two days in the Eastern Sector of Sundial. I debated for a long time whether to go with them, or do this crazy float tube thing I've always wanted to do...the tube won. As a fellow former float tuber I applaud this decision.  I remember years ago an article in the BW Journal about float tubing the BW/Quetico.  There is no better angling thrill than catching fish out of a tube.  The stealth quality of them is really fun.  Please do up a report on this trip for us ok?  Have a great trip!

  I look forward to hearing and seeing some of those pics too. I like to float tube rivers in Northern MI for Brook Trout. Park my truck, hike the riverside trails for a few miles and float back down.

With the brutal hot weather that will be a great way to keep cool. Just make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen and bug dope.  ;) ;D

I wonder if I can rig a mosquito net over my tube..... ;D

goblu79 wrote on Jul 7^th, 2020 at 1:33pm:

I wonder if I can rig a mosquito net over my tube..... ;D

  I think I might consider one of these. I have one that I take on my Q trips. Weighs nothing and lets the breeze in too. Wear with bug net over face or alone with bug dope on face/hands.

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If you've never tried this bug dope I highly recommend it. All natural and it smells good too. Bugs hate it but I'm not sure about Mrs Yogi Bear.  ;) ;D

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Okay, so finally back to the posting.  TomT was correct, Magic Paddler and I did head into Mugwump PMA, and got a camping permit for Region 5 that has Raven Lake in it, which is where we camped.  Sounds like goblu figured out the permitting and boonie's link has some really good PMA info in it - which I had found previously.  You can visit any PMA, but to camp, need the extra (free) permit.  I called the USFS office in Ely and they just needed our entry permit number.  You can camp up to 14 days they told me, so I got a PMA permit for 7 days, of which we stayed 2 nights only.  They emailed me the extra permit, which you need to take with you.  Only one camping permit is allowed per region, so no one else can camp during your permitted time. We had no visitors either.

Most of what I researched on PMA's is they are very primitive (….go figure....) and generally suck because they are they toughest areas that got the lease usage, shallow lakes, not great fishing. Old standard camps have been removed and it's bushwack only. DNR maps showed there was one regular camp on Raven on the northeast shoreline, which was removed.  We found it -very poor due to fires that burned the north side of the lake - few trees and four drilled holes that used to hold the fire grate.  The DNR map also suggests several other old camps around the lake, which we found to be poor/unused.  Raven is apparently one of the more often visited and was fairly easy to get into.  The second portage started where the creek got too narrow and shallow to paddle.  We ended up pulling the canoes the last football field or so thru muck to good ground and could portage from there.  There are some big downed cedars near the start of that, which require you to unload, duck under, then continue.  The creek gets very narrow/winding and would not be fun with a long boat - 17' or more.

We stayed at the open area on the Raven end of the second portage, very nice, but so much granite, hardly a place to drive a tent stake, so I used the deadman method to stake out the tent.  It was very nice and open, but a bit shade starved most of the day for a lot of the area.  It is the best place to camp on the entire lake.  They tell you LNT rules only, so no fire pit or anything like that, but there was evidence of a small fire with just a few rocks around it, pile of firewood and an old axe someone had left.  We brought stoves anyway.  The lake is very clear and only 60 feet deep as measured by the fish finder.  We managed just a couple small lakers and that was it.  Fishing was off our entire trip, though.  We may have stayed longer if the fish were biting, as it was a very nice - and quiet - lake.

The north shore burn area is loaded with berries and will be a picker heaven when ripe - blueberry, raspberry, red currant berry.  It's also covered with dead standing cedar and some spruce.

pd

Just announced: Canadian border to remain closed for at least another month.

FYI

Jimbo  8-)

Persona non-grata

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This just in... border closure extended to at least August 21. Canada is flyover country, enroute to Alaska. ;)

Can you blame them? It's like living upstairs from a meth lab.

Thanks for the chuckle! 

Stay safe.........


Solus wrote on Jul 15^th, 2020 at 3:22pm:

Can you blame them? It's like living upstairs from a meth lab.

Solus wrote on Jul 15^th, 2020 at 3:22pm:

Can you blame them? It's like living upstairs from a meth lab.

That's a quote, more or less from a caller into a radio program in Toronto, is it not? Great quip!