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Author:
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Backpacker Magazine
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Activity:
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Backpacking
ActivitySearchBackpacking
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State:
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Minnesota (MN)
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Distance:
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30.1 mi
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Difficulty:
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6 / 10
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USGS Topo Map:
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Isabella Lake, Quadga Lake, Snowbank Lake
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Rating:
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 2 rating(s)
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Take two or three days to explore this 30.1-mile lasso loop in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Pine and cedar trees surround majestic lakes filled with fish, and numerous backcountry campsites dot the trail. Watch for snowshoe hare, grouse, moose, and signs of the largest timber wolf population in the Continental U.S. Be prepared to get your feet wet traversing boggy terrain and fording small streams—there’s only one maintained bridge along the route.
Note: A BWCA permit is required. Make reservations for entry point #86 by calling 877-550-6777.
-Mapped by Steffan Fay
TO TRAILHEAD: From S. 26th Ave. and N. Shore Scenic Dr./MN 61 in Duluth, head northeast on MN 61. In 57 miles, turn left onto MN 1. In 22 miles, turn right onto Wanless Rd. In 0.8 mile, turn left onto Trappers Lake Rd. In 5.8 miles, veer right onto Sawbill Landing Rd. In 2.9 miles, turn left onto NF 369. In 2 miles, continue straight onto NF 379. In 3.6 miles, turn right onto Tomahawk Rd. (toward Forest Center). Follow 1.6 miles to Lake Isabella parking lot.
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Datum: |
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POW-WOW
| Dist: 27.43 mi |
Points: 1923 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
Pow-Wow trail.
POW001
Location: 47.801170°, -91.306366°
From trailhead parking lot, head west on former railroad bed.
POW002
Location: 47.800556°, -91.314941°
Turn right @ trail sign; head northwest.
POW003
Location: 47.801521°, -91.315643°
Enter Boundry Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on a straight, old road.
POW004
Location: 47.807941°, -91.319679°
Pass a campsite next to the Isabella River.
POW005
Location: 47.808090°, -91.319534°
Cross bridge over the Isabella River (the only maintained bridge on the route).
POW006
Location: 47.828171°, -91.320839°
Hike through a wetland on a long, narrow mound of dirt and sticks (resembles a beaver dam). The trail is higher than the surrounding marsh for about 0.25 mile. Use caution and take it slowly to avoid wet feet (especially in the spring).
POW007
Location: 47.831776°, -91.321411°
Turn left @ Y-junction. Hike west toward Fallen Arch Lake.
POW008
Location: 47.832664°, -91.339172°
Trail passes a beaver dam at the southern end of Fallen Arch Lake. Ahead, trail winds to the west.
POW009
Location: 47.833214°, -91.371719°
Pass a campground at Marathon Lake. The trail veers southwest for the next mile.
POW010
Location: 47.828331°, -91.394554°
Cross Diana Lake's outlet on these logs. Be careful; sit down or use hiking poles to avoid a fall.
POW011
Location: 47.825249°, -91.439987°
Head south, passing a campsite at Campfire Lake.
POW012
Location: 47.823284°, -91.440498°
Continue straight @ 3-way; the spur trail on the left leads to Quadga Lake.
POW013
Location: 47.820091°, -91.452347°
Cross Myth Lake outlet and continue hiking west.
POW014
Location: 47.828083°, -91.463326°
The trail traces the eastern banks of Superstition Lake past an unmarked campsite on the lake's small peninsula.
POW015
Location: 47.831974°, -91.458160°
Cross Superstition Creek at the north end of the lake. Next, trail veers to the northwest.
POW016
Location: 47.843098°, -91.448570°
The trail passes a very small campsite near Mirror Lake (it's a long walk down to the water from this site). Continue hiking north.
POW017
Location: 47.849880°, -91.447884°
Pass a beaver dam on Mirror Lake, then veer northeast for 0.5 mile to Path Lake.
POW018
Location: 47.853638°, -91.442307°
At the southern edge of Path Lake, the trail turns west and traces the lake's western shore.
POW019
Location: 47.858166°, -91.441170°
Walk past a large campsite on Path Lake's level, rocky shoreline.
POW020
Location: 47.862831°, -91.440926°
Look to the west across Rock of Ages Lake for expansive views of wooded shoreline. Next, the trail winds to the north toward Horseshoe Lake.
POW021
Location: 47.864784°, -91.440659°
Travel past a campsite overlooking Rock of Ages Lake. A small hill borders the site, offering great views of forest and surrounding granite hills.
POW022
Location: 47.878700°, -91.438065°
Skirt the southeast corner of Lake Three, then head north.
POW023
Location: 47.880215°, -91.437546°
Fallen trees make a rustic stream crossing.
POW024
Location: 47.881828°, -91.436104°
Cedar trees flank the trail around this well-used portage. Continue straight @ 4-way intersection, heading north.
POW025
Location: 47.882397°, -91.430328°
Savor the last views of Horseshoe Lake, then turn left and head northeast.
POW026
Location: 47.874786°, -91.396637°
Go straight and cross portage between North Wilder and Harbor Lakes.
POW027
Location: 47.865925°, -91.389336°
Cross watercourse between North and South Wilder Lakes.
POW028
Location: 47.864204°, -91.386292°
This campsite on South Wilder Lake is a good place to spend your second night. Ahead, trail rounds to the east, paralleling the lake.
POW029
Location: 47.860451°, -91.322472°
Turn right @ T-junction onto a long-abandoned logging road.
POW030
Location: 47.845886°, -91.302071°
Turn right @ T-junction. Ahead: Continue southwest to Waypoint 7 and turn left @ Y-junction. Retrace route to trailhead.
Trail Junction
Location: 47.800564°, -91.315010°
© Steffan Fay
Boundary
Location: 47.801567°, -91.315643°
BWCA boundary sign at entry point # 86. © Steffan Fay
Isabella Campsite
Location: 47.807941°, -91.319679°
Campsite near Isabella River. © Steffan Fay
Isabella River
Location: 47.808094°, -91.319534°
Isabella River. © Steffan Fay
Isabella River
Location: 47.808094°, -91.319534°
Isabella River. © Steffan Fay
Trail
Location: 47.817635°, -91.318718°
You'll hike this section of trail in both directions. © Steffan Fay
Wetlands
Location: 47.828171°, -91.320946°
© Steffan Fay
Raised Trail
Location: 47.829670°, -91.321053°
This raised trail helps keep you dry, if you're careful. © Steffan Fay
Trail Junction
Location: 47.831810°, -91.321480°
The loop begins (and ends) here. © Steffan Fay
Tracks
Location: 47.832264°, -91.329163°
BWCA has one of the last substantial timber wolf populations in the Continental United States. © Steffan Fay
Beaver Dam
Location: 47.832561°, -91.339249°
Beaver dam at southern end of Fallen Arch Lake. © Steffan Fay
Marathon Lake
Location: 47.833202°, -91.371689°
Marathon Lake has a campground and plenty of wide, open space. © Steffan Fay
Stream Crossing
Location: 47.828384°, -91.394699°
Crossing the outlet of Diana Lake. © Steffan Fay
Diana Lake
Location: 47.828598°, -91.395020°
Diana Lake. © Steffan Fay
Campfire Lake Campsite
Location: 47.825279°, -91.440193°
© Steffan Fay
Wetlands and Lake
Location: 47.820034°, -91.452400°
Just one of 15 peaceful lakes you'll pass on this trail. © Steffan Fay
Superstition Lake
Location: 47.828171°, -91.463318°
Superstition Lake. © Steffan Fay
Superstition Lake
Location: 47.831917°, -91.458183°
Superstition Lake. © Steffan Fay
Beaver Dam
Location: 47.849792°, -91.448013°
This beaver dam is part of the trail. © Steffan Fay.
Path Lake
Location: 47.853970°, -91.442551°
Path Lake. © Steffan Fay
Path Lake Campsite
Location: 47.858250°, -91.441269°
The campsite at Path Lake is a big site on level, rocky shoreline. © Steffan Fay
Rock of Ages Lake
Location: 47.862640°, -91.440948°
Westward view from the trail above Rock of Ages Lake. © Steffan Fay
Rock of Ages Lake
Location: 47.863068°, -91.441376°
Panorama video of Rock of Ages Lake. © Steffan Fay
Rock of Ages Campsite
Location: 47.864780°, -91.440628°
Campsite on Rock of Ages Lake.
Lake Three
Location: 47.878696°, -91.438164°
One of the largest lakes on the route, Lake Three is peppered with islets large and small.
Stream Crossing
Location: 47.880196°, -91.437843°
These fallen trees make a rustic stream crossing.
Portage
Location: 47.882015°, -91.436127°
Cross this portage between Lake Three and Horseshoe Lake.
Horeshoe Lake
Location: 47.882442°, -91.430458°
This will be your last glimpse of Horseshoe Lake.
