I’ve seen retired folks do this in the BWCA with no problem at all. Simply follow this method for picking up and carrying the canoe.
It has more to do with skill than strength - forget the methods that have you quickly lift the canoe overhead like a powerlifter.
Portaging a canoe isn’t as hard as it seems and it’s actually easy to pick up and carry a canoe by yourself. Portages are typically measured in rods, which is 16.5 feet long, roughly the length of your canoe. The BWCA has over 1,000 lakes connected by portage paths of varying lengths - the shorter and fewer of them on your route, the easier it will be. Simply put, a portage is when you pick your canoe up and move it overland from one lake to another. If you’ve never been to the Boundary Waters before, it’s possible you’ve never had to portage a canoe before. I’ve done a handful of canoe trips out of Ely, but I prefer the Gunflint area for starting a trip because you immediately enter into wilderness with a rugged character. Visitors starting in the Gunflint area are likely to see the effects of fires and blowdowns, but while some forests in this area seem more sparse, there’s a more remote, rugged quality to this terrain. In general, the Ely area is quite wooded and has old-growth tree stands you can camp near. There are two main BWCA entry points to start your trip: Ely and the Gunflint Trail. Planning Your BWCA Route BWCA entry points Always pack extra warm layers and don’t use cotton. No matter what time of year you visit, it’s important to be prepared for cold temperatures, rainy weather, or submerged and wet gear. Camping from mid-September to mid-October is the best time to visit if you want to catch the fall foliage as the aspen, birch, and maples leaves begin turning red, orange, and yellow. There are fewer or no bugs, the crowds are basically gone, the fish are returning to the shallow water, and the fall colors are changing. It’s a great month for fishing, solitude, and returning animals and birds, but it can be cold - lows are typically in the 40s.įall is one of the best times to visit the BWCA. Visiting during the spring is constrained to the month of May since the lake ice usually doesn’t melt until then. People share horror stories about the mosquitos, but truthfully they’re not much different than anywhere else in the Midwest.
Bugs peak in mid-June and while the black flies last a week or two, the mosquitos stick around all summer. The main downside to canoeing in the summer months, however, is that mosquitoes and biting flies can put a huge damper on your trip. The water is warm enough to swim in and the weather gets up into the 70s and 80s. The summer months are the popular time to go, especially the back half of August. Typically May through October is the canoeing season. Since the lakes freeze over in the winter, the best time to canoe the Boundary Waters is between spring, summer, and fall.
#BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA HOW TO#
Learn how to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species with 3 easy steps that have a huge impact on our ecosystems. Important Reminder: As outdoor recreationists, it’s our responsibility to know how to recreate responsibly on the water whether we’re kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing, rafting, or boating. In this Boundary Waters canoe trip guide, I share everything you need to know to plan your own canoeing adventure to this amazing and remote area. I’ve made many trips to the BWCA, so in this post, I’m sharing all the important tips and guidance you’ll need to have a successful trip in Minnesota’s great north woods. Like most remote camping trips, though, canoeing the BWCA requires planning in order to secure permits, learn how to navigate lakes and make portages, and assemble the right gear for a successful trip. From short overnight trips to multi-week remote adventures, the BWCA offers a unique camping experience for all skill levels. The BWCA is the most-visited wilderness area in the U.S. Located on the Minnesota/Canada border, I’ve made countless trips to the BWCA ever since I was a kid and it always delivers when I want a quiet week filled with great views and adventure. Planning a Boundary Waters canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) involves navigating a labyrinth of over 1,000 lakes and islands.
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