Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
The BWCA is a 1 million acre wilderness, no mechanized anything, up in NE Minnesota. On the Canadian side of the border is an even larger adjoining canoe area called Quetico. We visited the area in 1994 on our honeymoon and always wanted to return. But in the autumn when the hordes of mosquitos have passed into the netherworld. We planned a mid-September 6 day loop trip from the end of the Gunflint Trail road out of Grand Marais. We rented our gear from Seagull Outfitters which was great shop. The crowds of summer were gone and we'd see some fine scenery along the way.
Gorgeous morning to get started. We had our outfitter boat us in to save a half day of paddling on a fringe lake. Click to Enlarge
Gorgeous morning to get started. We had our outfitter boat us in to save a half day of paddling on a fringe lake.
Gawk Click to Enlarge
Gawk
Within 5 minutes of sticking our paddles in the water, we came across our first eagles. We'd see some every single day Click to Enlarge
Within 5 minutes of sticking our paddles in the water, we came across our first eagles. We'd see some every single day
Summer's flowers clung on as autumn crept in. Click to Enlarge
Summer's flowers clung on as autumn crept in.
Our gear was in 3 packs called Duluth packs. Our trip involved 13 portages where we carry the packs and the canoe on a hiking trail connecting between lakes Click to Enlarge
Our gear was in 3 packs called Duluth packs. Our trip involved 13 portages where we carry the packs and the canoe on a hiking trail connecting between lakes
Berries were everywhere Click to Enlarge
Berries were everywhere
First camp, as our gear exploded out of the packs. Click to Enlarge
First camp, as our gear exploded out of the packs.
Sunset... Click to Enlarge
Sunset...
then a great moonrise! Click to Enlarge
then a great moonrise!
Loaded up for the day Click to Enlarge
Loaded up for the day
Pretty Eddy Falls Click to Enlarge
Pretty Eddy Falls
And quite possibly the greatest shower I've ever had! Click to Enlarge
And quite possibly the greatest shower I've ever had!
Sure looks like we have enough supplies for months back in there! Not quite Click to Enlarge
Sure looks like we have enough supplies for months back in there! Not quite
Sharon makes 60 degrees look like 30 The big boots are necessary due to having to wade out of the relatively fragile light weight kevlar canoe in the water while trying not to smash up against the rocks. We were only partially successful in that regard! I wore sandals since the water was still in the 70s Click to Enlarge
Sharon makes 60 degrees look like 30 The big boots are necessary due to having to wade out of the relatively fragile light weight kevlar canoe in the water while trying not to smash up against the rocks. We were only partially successful in that regard! I wore sandals since the water was still in the 70s
Nice view looking out towards the US on the left and Canada on the right. Click to Enlarge
Nice view looking out towards the US on the left and Canada on the right.
Click to Enlarge
Postcard worthy Click to Enlarge
Postcard worthy
Our weather radio warned of a super rainy day on tap. So we hunkered down a couple nights and weather proofed the site as best we could. Still got kinda wet. Rained a couple inches Click to Enlarge
Our weather radio warned of a super rainy day on tap. So we hunkered down a couple nights and weather proofed the site as best we could. Still got kinda wet. Rained a couple inches
cool caterpillar Click to Enlarge
cool caterpillar
Portaging along the Canadian border had some little monuments along the way. We saw no humans that entire day so our passports were not verified! Click to Enlarge
Portaging along the Canadian border had some little monuments along the way. We saw no humans that entire day so our passports were not verified!
Colors getting better each day — with Sharon Jacob. Click to Enlarge
Colors getting better each day — with Sharon Jacob.
Yearling baldy giving us the eagle eye! Click to Enlarge
Yearling baldy giving us the eagle eye!
Lots of loons. Red eyed buggers never let me get a good pic though. But we enjoyed their haunting calls that echoed across the lakes. Classic sound of the north Click to Enlarge
Lots of loons. Red eyed buggers never let me get a good pic though. But we enjoyed their haunting calls that echoed across the lakes. Classic sound of the north
Toasty Click to Enlarge
Toasty
Favorite time of the year. Click to Enlarge
Favorite time of the year.
If you are ever in pretty little Grand Marais, check out the Pie Place. yum yum! Click to Enlarge
If you are ever in pretty little Grand Marais, check out the Pie Place. yum yum!
Splitrock Lighthouse stands watch over the vastness of Lake Superior. Click to Enlarge
Splitrock Lighthouse stands watch over the vastness of Lake Superior.
Gooseberry Falls to wrap up the great scenery. Click to Enlarge
Gooseberry Falls to wrap up the great scenery.
Our route map.
 Click to Enlarge
Our route map.