I take a weeklong solo trip every year. Last year, I planned an aggressive route, entering at Stuart and exiting South Hegman. Spent a night on Stuart, a night on Rush (after a rain-shortened day), 2 nights on Crooked, and 2 nights on Gun. Beautiful route, but when I planned it I didn't realize that I would be pulling multiple all-nighters the week before as I finished my dissertation. I started already physically exhausted and the journey to Stuart, while nostalgic and gorgeous, just about sunk me. I still loved the trip, but with the chaos of the week prior to the trip, I didn't pack efficiently and wound up with a heavy load. The last day from Gun and out S. Hegman was another killer. I will never do that Angleworm-Hegman portage again.

So this year, I've got a Sag permit. Never been north of Tuscarora so this'll allow me to get into some new territory. Here's my initial plan. Unlike last year, there's much more paddling than portaging. And unlike last year, I should be starting this trip in better shape mentally, physically, spiritually, etc.

The trip begins June 21. I'd love all recommendations (side trips, fishing tips, warnings, campsite targets, etc.).

Day 1 - Tow to American point, paddle Sag-Swamp-Ottertrack-Ester-Hanson-Cherry. Camp on Cherry.

Day 2 - Layover on Cherry.

Day 3 - Cherry-Topaz-Amoeber-Knife-South Arm Knife. Camp SAK.

Day 4 - Layover on SAK. Paddle to Thunder Point. Explore.

Day 5 - Layover on SAK (again). Lots of fishing.

Day 6 - SAK-Eddy-Jenny-Annie-Ogishkemuncie. Camp on Ogish.

Day 7 - Layover on Ogish.

Day 8 - Ogish-Kingfisher-Jasper-Alpine. Camp on Alpine.

Day 9 - Alpine-Seagull. Exit.

If you haven't seen them already, here are a couple of trip reports I wrote up covering most of your proposed route. I try to incorporate as much side trip information etc into the reports as I can so, hopefully they give you a sense of what to expect.

Trip report #1

Trip report #2

Some beautiful areas, though that time of year it is a very busy area. The only pointers from me:

Be flexible in terms of where you camp. Don't be afraid to go off the beaten path a bit to find the quieter areas. In my experience, SAK and Ogish are often packed, but sites are often open on smaller lakes with only 1-2 sites. Visit Eddy Falls either early in the morning or late in the day. Midday it is often overrun by scout groups.

You probably already know, but that portage between Hanson and Cherry is no joke. One of the most continuously steep portages I have ever done.

A+ Great plan! I have never been to this area either but I've been planning a very similar loop, I just don't know when I'll have the time yet. Your distances/layover days are very similar to what I would figure... but always expect that to change! My plan would skip Ester/Hanson in favor of Gijikiki/LOTC/Lunar, with a possible night 1 stay on Gijikiki. I would probably include Kekekabic as well, at the expense of a night on Ogish... or not, depending on which fish I'm craving that late into the trip!

straighthairedcurly: "Some beautiful areas, though that time of year it is a very busy area. The only pointers from me:


Be flexible in terms of where you camp. Don't be afraid to go off the beaten path a bit to find the quieter areas. In my experience, SAK and Ogish are often packed, but sites are often open on smaller lakes with only 1-2 sites. Visit Eddy Falls either early in the morning or late in the day. Midday it is often overrun by scout groups.


You probably already know, but that portage between Hanson and Cherry is no joke. One of the most continuously steep portages I have ever done."

Get moving early, super busy area. Big water as well, getting up and going will help beat the waves most days.

Ester, Cherry, Amoeber, and Lake of the Clouds, are some of my favorite lakes in the BWCA. In my experience the campsites at both Ester and Cherry lakes are often occupied. That has not been the case for me on Amoeber. Great Lake trout fishing in this area. And lots of high topography.