This article originally appeared in Canoeroots and Family Camping magazine.
Yes, you can find weekend solitude in the Boundary Waters canoe area. Just portage into a dead-end lake or pond-hop between beaver streams. The Ham Lake to Long Island Lake loop consists mostly of large, clear ponds and beaver streams. Navigation is easy—just don’t leave your map at home. Short, easy portages link lakes filled with reasonably secluded campsites.
Access is from the Gunflint Trail, north of Grand Marais. There is a Forest Service parking area at the Cross River landing (BWCA entry point #50). Two short portages bring you to Ham Lake and your first campsites. Portage 140 yards to Cross-Bay Lake. Camp here or continue west to Snipe Lake or south to Long Island Lake. The few portages that connect these lakes are less than 275 yards.
Adventurous paddlers will want to explore the beaver stream that runs from Long Island Lake to Fool Lake in May or June when the water is high. Wading, dragging and lining are part of canoeing beaver streams. Wear sturdy wet shoes and keep a 15-foot line attached to each end of your canoe.
Need-to-know info:
Canoe Rental
www.quetico100.com, look under partners
Maps
Voyageur Maps #6, #9 and #3
W.A. Fisher Co. F12
Mackenzie #4 and #7
Route Planning
Exploring the Boundary Waters, by Daniel Pauly
General BWCA Wisdom
Boundary Waters Canoe Camping, by Cliff Jacobson
—Cliff Jacobson
This article appeared in Canoeroots & Family Camping, Early Summer 2009. Download our free iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch App or Android App or read it here.
