192 miles of hiking/backpacking trails in the BWCAW
By Matthew Davis Regional Trail Coordinator, North Country Trail Association
Detroit Lakes, MN (701) 388-1883 / davis@northcountrytrail.org
From a class originally taught at Outdoor Adventure Expo in Minneapolis. A pdf of the slide show that has maps and photos can be viewed here: http://northcountrytrail.org/2011/04/11/bwcaw/
Why Hike/Backpack in the BWCAW?
• It's a magical place that you love visiting!
• It's more challenging -both physically and mentally - than other trails like the SHT!
• To reach places inaccessible by canoe
• Solitude and a true wilderness experience!
Are there things to know before you go?
• These trails are NOT for beginners!
• Wilderness character
• Lower trail standards
• Steeper grades
• Fewer structures - e.g. bridges, boardwalks
• Little or no signage / blazing
• Frequent water crossings
• Lower levels of trail maintenance
• More frequent blowdowns
• More wet spots
• More brush obscuring the tread
• Wilderness skills are typically required
- Map & compass
- Route finding / land navigation
- Self reliance in emergencies
Most common challenges
Getting lost
- Post someone where you last knew you were on the trail
- The rest of the group members should circle out in all directions looking for signs of the trail
- Don't forget that the last place you think you were on the trail might already be off the trail
- Signs to look for include: flush cut down logs, lopped brush, cairns, and a worn trail tread
Crossing beaver dams
- Use a hiking pole to improve balance
- The trail doesn't always continue where the dams end (beavers keep changing the dams).
-Usually there will be a discernable re-route leading you to the trail. Keep your eyes open and you
should be able to find it.
Note: these tips were adapted from the Sioux-Hustler Trail brochure
Are there things to know before you go?
Permits are required year round for hiking
- A quota permit is required May-September
- Non-Quota self-issuing permits October-April
- Self-issuing permits for day use year round
-There are user fees and fees for reservations and overnight permits. For more info, contact the Forest
Service or visit www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUM
BWCAW Hiking/Backpacking trails covered in this handout
• Pow Wow Trail
• Sioux-Hustler Trail
• Snowbank Lake loops
• Kekekabic Trail
• Border Route & associated side trails
• Brule Lake & Eagle Mountain Trails
• Angleworm Trail
The Pow Wow Trail
Location: about 17 miles north of Isabella, MN or 77miles northeast of Two Harbors, MN
Distance & Type: 30.1 mile lollipop loop
Difficulty: Mixed. The trail is partially on an old logging railroad bed (easy) and partially a wilderness trail with
multiple beaver dam and stream crossings (difficult).
Hike description: Take two or three days to explore the trail
Why go there? Pine and cedar trees surround majestic lakes filled with fish and numerous backcountry
campsites dot the trail.
Cautions: Be prepared to get your feet wet traversing boggy terrain and fording small streams-there's only one
maintained bridge along the route.
Notes: Make your reservations for entry point #86 - Pow Wow Trail.
Online Trip Reports:
http://bp2.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/55019
http://www.bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=trip.report_view&sel_trp_id=1058
Online photo album:
http://travel.webshots.com/album/141998612oQXbdU
Maps: Trails Illustrated BWCAW maps (East and West)
McKenzie Maps Pow Wow Trail set (#'s 18, 19 and 304)
Contacts: Superior National Forest's Tofte Ranger Station @ 218-663-8060
The Sioux Hustler Trail
Location: about 21 miles east of Buyck, MN or 83 miles north of Virginia, MN
Distance & type: 32 mile lollipop loop
Difficulty: Difficult
Hike description: Take three to four days to explore this wilderness trail
Why go there? To visit Devil's Cascade, to find solitude
Cautions: The trail is minimally maintained so there is a need for preparedness and route-finding under adverse
conditions. It is marked by rock cairns, tree blazes and less subtle markers - saw cut log ends and tree
roots that have been worn bare by foot traffic.
Notes: Make your reservations for entry point #15.
Online Trip Reports:
http://reidster.net/trips/2005-sioux-hustler/
http://reidster.net/trips/2007-sioux-hustler/
http://backpackingnorth.blogspot.com/2010/05/siouxhustler-trail-bwca-minnesota.html
Online photo gallery:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cageyj/sets/72157624071809775/
Maps: Trails Illustrated BWCAW West map
McKenzie Maps Sioux-Hustler Trail set (#'s 12, 13,and 14)
Parks & Trails Council of MN / Friends of the Sioux-Hustler Trail brochure available online at
http://tinyurl.com/3mbgmj5
Contacts: Superior National Forest's LaCroix Ranger Station in Cook @ 218-666-0020
The Snowbank Lake loop(s)
Location: about 21 miles east of Ely, MN or 70 miles north of Virginia, MN
Distance & type: 21-40 mile series of connected loop. Options include: Snowbank & Kekekabic Trails - 21.8 mi.
Snowbank, Old Pines, & Kekekabic Trails - loop around Snowbank & Disappointment Lakes - 26.1 mi.
Snowbank, Old Pines, & Kekekabic Trails - loop around Snowbank,Disappointment, and
Moiyaka/Medas Lakes - 33.8 mi.
Becoosin-Benezie loop add-on - 1.5 mi.
Difficulty: Difficult, rocky terrain with many ups and downs and need for route finding
Hike description: Take three days (or more) to explore the various loop combinations
Why go there? Circumnavigation around Snowbank and Disappointment Lakes, views of remote lakes, old
growth pines, solitude
Cautions: These trails are generally well maintained so there is less of a need for route-finding than some of the
other trails. There is still a need for preparedness. It is marked by rock cairns.
Notes: Make your reservations for entry point #74.
Online Trip Reports:
http://visitcranelake.com/blog/?p=1939
http://www.bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=trip.report_view&sel_trp_id=724
http://backpackingnorth.blogspot.com/2010/09/disappointment-mountain-snowbank-lake.html
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=799992
Guidebook & Maps: The NEW Kekekabic Trail Guide
Wiki Guide for the Snowbank Trail: http://www.bwcawiki.org/wiki/Snowbank_Trail
Trails Illustrated BWCAW West & East maps
McKenzie Maps #9 - Snowbank, Basswood
Contacts: Superior National Forest's Kawishiwi Ranger Station in Ely @ 218-365-7600
Kekekabic Trail
West Trailhead Location: about 21 miles east of Ely, MN
East Trailhead Location: about 47 miles northwest of Grand Marais, MN
Car shuttle: 180 mi. or 4.5 hours
Distance & type: 42-mile point A to point B trail with some loop opportunities on the far western end near
Snowbank and Disappointment Lakes
Difficulty: Difficult, rocky terrain with many ups and downs and need for route finding
Hike description: Take three to five days to thru-hike"the Kek," whose origin was a forest firefighter's trail
from Snowbank Lake to the Kekekabic Lake fire tower site
Why go there? Remoteness, to enjoy the quietest campsites in America (according to Backpacker magazine),
old-growth pines, to check out the recovery from the '99 blowdown & resulting forest fires
Cautions: This trail is generally well maintained but there is still a need for route-finding and for preparedness.
It is marked by rock cairns.
Notes: Make your reservations for entry point #74 - Kekekabic Trail West for an eastbound hike or
#56 - Kekekabic Trail East for a westbound hike.
For more info: Kekekabic Trail Club: www.kek.org, info@kek.org
Online Trip Reports:
http://visitcranelake.com/blog/?p=1939
http://www.bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=trip.report_view&sel_trp_id=724
http://backpackingnorth.blogspot.com/2010/09/disappointment-mountain-snowbank-lake.html
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=799992
Maps: The newly revised Kekekabic Trail Guidebook
Trails Illustrated BWCAW West & East maps
McKenzie Maps Kekekabic Trail set (#'s 7-9)
Contacts:Superior National Forest's Kawishiwi Ranger Station in Ely @ 218-365-7600
Border Route Trail (& Side Trails)
Distance & type: 65-mile point A to point B trail (35 mi. in the middle lie inside the BWCAW). There are
some loop hike opportunities on the western half
Difficulty: Difficult, hilly terrain with many steep ups and downs, some need for route finding
Hike description: Take three to five days to thru-hike the BRT or figure out a loop hike
Why go there? Remoteness, amazing views of border lakes chain, old-growth forests, to check out the recovery
from the '99 blowdown & resulting forest fires
Cautions: The trail is pretty remote but well maintained, map and compass skills are still needed, The trail does
pass by numerous high cliffs.
Notes: Make your reservations for entry point #81 – BRT Trail West for an eastbound hike
OR #83 - BRT East fora westbound hike. There's also #82 - BRT Center for the Daniel's Lake Trail,
#59 - Partridge Lake Trail (South Lake Trail)
Crab Lake Trail (BRT Side Trail)
Distance & type: 8-mile access trail from Loon Lake Lodge side road to the Border Route Trail and beyond to
South Lake. Lies partially in the BWCAW
Difficulty: Easy
Hike description: Trail follows along shore of Crab Lake and past Whisker Lake before reaching the BRT and
descending to South Lake
Why go there? It allows a sampler hike of the BRT in the BWCAW
Topper Lake/Mucker Lake Trail (BRT Side Trail)
Distance & type: 1.5-mile access trail from end of FR317 to BRT by Topper Lake, 6-miles to BRT near
Mucker Lake. Lies mostly in the BWCAW
Difficulty: Easy
Hike description: Trail follows
Why go there? Allows easy access to BRT sampler loop
South Lake Trail (BRT Side Trail)
Distance & type: 7-mile access trail from Gunflint Trail (near Poplar Lake) to the Border Route Trail and
beyond to South Lake. Lies partially in the BWCAW
Difficulty: Easy
Hike description: Trail passes by Birch, East Otter, and Partridge Lakes before ascending to the BRT and
descending to South Lake
Why go there? South Lake campsite is fantastic
Caribou Rock/Split Pines Trail (BRT Side Trail)
Distance & type: 7-mile access trail from Hungry Jack Lake Road (Co. 65) to the Border Route Trail at
Stairway Portage. Lies mostly in the BWCAW.
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Hike description: Trail follows above Duncan Lake before reaching the BRT
Why go there? Great access to Stairway Portage area including scenic Rose Lake cliffs
Daniels Lake Trail (BRT Side Trail)
Distance & type: 3-mile access trail from (Co. 66) to the Border Route Trail near the Long Portage section. Lies
mostly in the BWCAW.
Difficulty: Easy
Hike description: Trail follows old Railroad grade alongshore of Daniels Lake before reaching the BRT / Long
Portage Trail
Why go there? Access to Long Portage section, splits BRT's BWCAW section roughly in half
For more info on the Border Route Trail
Border Route Trail Association: www.borderroutetrail.org, info@borderroutetrail.org,
Online Trip Reports:
http://northcountrytrail.org/2010/09/28/ncta-group-hike-tackles-the-borderroute-trail-in-ne-minnesota/
http://picasaweb.google.com/TFMoberg/BorderRouteTrailHikeSeptember21262010#
http://sites.google.com/site/isawtman/Home/border-route-trail-east
http://www.spotadventures.com/trip/view?trip_id=224930
Maps and Guidebook:
The Border Route Trail guidebook
Trails Illustrated BWCAW East map
McKenzie Maps Border Route Trail map set (#'s 98, 1, 2 and 4)
Contacts:Superior National Forest's Gunflint Ranger Station in Grand Marais @ 218-387-1750
Brule Lake / Eagle Mtn Trails
Distance & type: 11.2 mile Point A to Point B overnight hike with spur to summit of Eagle Mountain; 14.4 mile out and back hike from Brule Lake Trail trailhead; OR 7-mile out and back hike using the Eagle Mountain Trail trailhead
Difficulty: Moderately difficult, 500' elevation gain
Hike description: Take a long day hike or do an overnight staying at Fishhook Lake or Whale Lake Campsites
Why go there? You can summit Minnesota's highest mountain
Cautions: none, generally a well-maintained trail
Notes: Make your reservations for entry point #78 -Brule Lake Trail or #79 - Eagle Mountain Trail
Online Trip Reports:
http://www.americasroof.com/mn.shtml
http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/9053
http://bwac.smugmug.com/Sports/Brule-Lake-Winter-Trail/
http://blog.woodalls.com/2010/04/the-threepuppies-hike-in-the-boundary-waters-canoe-areamn/
Guides & Maps:
Trails Illustrated BWCAW East map
The NEW Mackenzie map for the Eagle Mountain-Brule Lake Trails
Superior National Forest brochure
Contacts: Superior National Forest's Gunflint Ranger Station in Grand Marais @ 218-387-1750
Angleworm Trail
Location: about 17 miles northwest of Ely, MN
Distance & type: This 13.5-mile lollilop loop trail goes off the Echo Trail north of Ely
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Hike description: This trail can be walked in a long dayhike or enjoyed over a weekend
Why go there? The loop hike features several overlooks in the Angleworm Lake area and numerous
(9)campsites
Cautions: none, the trail is generally well maintained and easy to follow, albeit hilly
Notes: Make your reservations for entry point #21 - Angleworm Trail
Online Trip Reports:
http://reidster.net/trips/2006-bwcaw/angleworm.html
http://www.bwcacast.com/angleworm-hiking-trail-the-show/
http://www.bwcacast.com/gallery/angleworm-hiking-trail/
Maps:
Trails Illustrated BWCAW West map
Mackenzie map # 11 - Jackfish Bay, Crooked Lake and Beartrap River
Contacts: Superior National Forest's Kawishiwi Station in Ely @ 218-365-1500
Useful Resources
Boundary Waters Advisory Committee
This non-profit group aims to save the historic hiking trails in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. They lead trail clearing trips on numerous hiking trails within the BWCAW including the Brule Lake, Eagle Mountain, and Kek.
Website: http://bwac.homestead.com/
Meetup group website: www.meetup.com/Friends-of-BWCA-Trails/
Online photo gallery: http://www.bwac.smugmug.com/
Email: wtrails2@yahoo.com
Phone: Call President Martin Kubik @ 651-214-5849
Superior National Forest's Hiking Brochure: Available online at www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5281816.pdf
Wilderness.net page on the BWCAW: www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=wildView&WID=70
Canoe Country.com's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Hiking Guide: www.canoecountry.com/hike/
Up Northica.com's Go Hike! Boundary Waters Western Region :
http://upnorthica.com/2011/03/22/boundary-waters-hiking-trips-western-region/
Up Northica.com's Go Hike! Boundary Waters Eastern Region :
http://upnorthica.com/2011/03/25/hike-some-more-boundary-waters-eastern-region