BWCA Canoe Trip 2025
Richard Rathe, 2025 (Birds, History, Photography)
This year we decided to visit the big lakes at the end of the Gunflint Trail. We planned to spend the first night in the bunkhouse on Seagull Lake. It was nice weather when we arrived, but the forecast called for thunderstorms, lots of wind, and near freezing temps. We elected to stay at the Trail's End
campground and do day trips instead of heading out onto the big Lake Saganaga.
Ironically my fellow campers spent the first and last nights in the bunkhouse, but endured the storm with me at the campsite on the second night.
Trails End Campground is in a unique location on high ground dividing two of the larger lakes in the BWCA. Our campsite was just below the small waterfall and rapids flowing into an arm of Saganaga. There are canoe access points above and below this impediment (plus an informal portage).
The Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center sits at the site of a former resort on an arm of Lake Saganaga. There are three different buildings to explore: the main Museum, the Nature Center (flora & fauna), and the Boat Museum. In addition there are several miles of trails available.
