9 Day Family BWCA Trip

[Mama]

On our 2017 trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) our family entered at Entry Point #48, Meeds Lake. We spent 8 nights camped on Meeds, Omega, Gaskin and Vista Lakes before exiting on Day 9 at Entry Point #47, Lizz Lake. We stuck our feet into mud holes and slipped and fell on slick rocks and roots. We paddled against 30 mph gusts, sunned ourselves on slabs of bedrock, swam in pristine waters, and marveled at the wonders of nature. We grew closer to one another as we worked as a team to travel, set camp, and enjoy our time in the BWCA.



Trip Map. We started at the Rockwood Lodge & Outfitters where we rented a canoe on Poplar Lake. Entered the BWCA at EP #48, Meeds Lake. Saw little to no people on Meeds, Swallow, Pilsbery, Henson, or Omega Lakes on days 1-5. Once we got onto Winchell Lake and beyond on days 6-9 we knew right away we had entered a busy, popular area with one exception, the night we spend on Vista Lake we saw only one other party. We saw many parties on Winchell, Gaskin, Horseshoe, Caribou, and Lizz Lakes, before exiting the BWCA on Lizz and heading back to take out at the Rockwood on Poplar Lake.



Dawn on Meeds Lake, Day 2.



Day 3 traveling from Meeds Lake to Omega Lake on one of the muddy portages along the way. We didn't see anyone else padding or portaging this day and say only one party in camp on Henson Lake along the way.



Day 3. Just before the storm broke loose on Omega Lake...and no, we didn't have the tarp up yet...



A break in the rain allowed for a family selfie on Day 8 on Vista Lake. If you want to hear more about the trip or know more about the portage lengths, route, etc. you are welcome to check out the write up at our blog:

https://mamasbasecamp.blogspot.com/2017/09/boundary-waters-2017-meeds-lake-entry.html

The blog write up is a little lengthy. If short videos are more to your liking, there is a series of short videos by day if you care to take a look, here's a couple of them:

Day 3 video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmWxHIjjONY&t=5s

Day 5 video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-s_4yQ1i4A&t=10s

 

[snapper]

Wonderful trip report and videos. I love the honesty of kids; especially her comments regarding the mud on the portage trail. It's obvious you and your family are creating wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing them with us as well.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time....be well.

snapper

 

[GearFreak]

Nice report mama, no wonder Nibimocs likes you. very nice write-up. I will watch the videos later.

 

[Odyssey]

Thanks Mama. I thought the first photo was my favourite until I saw the second.
A beaming smile from a young tripping member is a ray of sunshine in a troubled world. Exquisite.
I'll follow more as I continue your blog.

 

[Mama]

Nice report mama, no wonder Nibimocs likes you. very nice write-up. I will watch the videos later.

GearFreak - thanks for you comment! Nibimocs is such a fantastic photographer and makes wonderful canoe tripping videos. I think very highly of Nibimocs and watch all of his BWCA videos. For anyone else on the forum - if you love canoe tripping in the Boundary Waters and haven't seen him before, you can check out the fantastic photos and trip report videos Nibimocs creates on his YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/nibimocs

 

[Jim Dodd]

Great Family Trip ! your Daughter will have stories to tell her kids ! No doubt they will Improve with time !

I am a member of the Nibimocs Fan Club also ! Larry is a Prince !

Jim