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Boundary Waters: Pow-Wow Trail
Scramble around beaver dams, trek through timber wolf territory, and ford countless creeks on this 30.1-mile loop that skirts 15 backcountry lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Backpacking |
| State: | Minnesota (MN) |
| Distance: | 27.43 mi |
| Difficulty: | 6 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Isabella Lake, Quadga Lake, Snowbank Lake |
| Rating: |
 3 rating(s)
|
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.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
POW-WOW
| Distance: 27.43 mi | Points: 1923 |
Pow-Wow trail.
Points of Interest
POW001
Location: 47.801170, -91.306366From trailhead parking lot, head west on former railroad bed.
POW002
Location: 47.800556, -91.314941Turn right @ trail sign; head northwest.
POW003
Location: 47.801521, -91.315643Enter Boundry Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on a straight, old road.
POW004
Location: 47.807941, -91.319679Pass a campsite next to the Isabella River.
POW005
Location: 47.808090, -91.319534Cross bridge over the Isabella River (the only maintained bridge on the route).
POW006
Location: 47.828171, -91.320839Hike 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, -91.321411Turn left @ Y-junction. Hike west toward Fallen Arch Lake.
POW008
Location: 47.832664, -91.339172Trail passes a beaver dam at the southern end of Fallen Arch Lake. Ahead, trail winds to the west.
POW009
Location: 47.833214, -91.371719Pass a campground at Marathon Lake. The trail veers southwest for the next mile.
POW010
Location: 47.828331, -91.394554Cross Diana Lake's outlet on these logs. Be careful; sit down or use hiking poles to avoid a fall.
POW011
Location: 47.825249, -91.439987Head south, passing a campsite at Campfire Lake.
POW012
Location: 47.823284, -91.440498Continue straight @ 3-way; the spur trail on the left leads to Quadga Lake.
POW013
Location: 47.820091, -91.452347Cross Myth Lake outlet and continue hiking west.
POW014
Location: 47.828083, -91.463326The trail traces the eastern banks of Superstition Lake past an unmarked campsite on the lake's small peninsula.
POW015
Location: 47.831974, -91.458160Cross Superstition Creek at the north end of the lake. Next, trail veers to the northwest.
POW016
Location: 47.843098, -91.448570The 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, -91.447884Pass a beaver dam on Mirror Lake, then veer northeast for 0.5 mile to Path Lake.
POW018
Location: 47.853638, -91.442307At the southern edge of Path Lake, the trail turns west and traces the lake's western shore.
POW019
Location: 47.858166, -91.441170Walk past a large campsite on Path Lake's level, rocky shoreline.
POW020
Location: 47.862831, -91.440926Look 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, -91.440659Travel 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, -91.438065Skirt the southeast corner of Lake Three, then head north.
POW023
Location: 47.880215, -91.437546Fallen trees make a rustic stream crossing.
POW024
Location: 47.881828, -91.436104Cedar trees flank the trail around this well-used portage. Continue straight @ 4-way intersection, heading north.
POW025
Location: 47.882397, -91.430328Savor the last views of Horseshoe Lake, then turn left and head northeast.
POW026
Location: 47.874786, -91.396637Go straight and cross portage between North Wilder and Harbor Lakes.
POW027
Location: 47.865925, -91.389336Cross watercourse between North and South Wilder Lakes.
POW028
Location: 47.864204, -91.386292This 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, -91.322472Turn right @ T-junction onto a long-abandoned logging road.
POW030
Location: 47.845886, -91.302071Turn 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, -91.315643BWCA boundary sign at entry point # 86. © Steffan Fay
Isabella Campsite
Location: 47.807941, -91.319679Campsite near Isabella River. © Steffan Fay
Isabella River
Location: 47.808094, -91.319534Isabella River. © Steffan Fay
Isabella River
Location: 47.808094, -91.319534Isabella River. © Steffan Fay
Trail
Location: 47.817635, -91.318718You'll hike this section of trail in both directions. © Steffan Fay
Wetlands
Location: 47.828171, -91.320946© Steffan Fay
Raised Trail
Location: 47.829670, -91.321053This raised trail helps keep you dry, if you're careful. © Steffan Fay
Trail Junction
Location: 47.831810, -91.321480The loop begins (and ends) here. © Steffan Fay
Tracks
Location: 47.832264, -91.329163BWCA has one of the last substantial timber wolf populations in the Continental United States. © Steffan Fay
Beaver Dam
Location: 47.832561, -91.339249Beaver dam at southern end of Fallen Arch Lake. © Steffan Fay
Marathon Lake
Location: 47.833202, -91.371689Marathon Lake has a campground and plenty of wide, open space. © Steffan Fay
Stream Crossing
Location: 47.828384, -91.394699Crossing the outlet of Diana Lake. © Steffan Fay
Diana Lake
Location: 47.828598, -91.395020Diana Lake. © Steffan Fay
Campfire Lake Campsite
Location: 47.825279, -91.440193© Steffan Fay
Wetlands and Lake
Location: 47.820034, -91.452400Just one of 15 peaceful lakes you'll pass on this trail. © Steffan Fay
Superstition Lake
Location: 47.828171, -91.463318Superstition Lake. © Steffan Fay
Superstition Lake
Location: 47.831917, -91.458183Superstition Lake. © Steffan Fay
Beaver Dam
Location: 47.849792, -91.448013This beaver dam is part of the trail. © Steffan Fay.
Path Lake
Location: 47.853970, -91.442551Path Lake. © Steffan Fay
Path Lake Campsite
Location: 47.858250, -91.441269The campsite at Path Lake is a big site on level, rocky shoreline. © Steffan Fay
Rock of Ages Lake
Location: 47.862640, -91.440948Westward view from the trail above Rock of Ages Lake. © Steffan Fay
Rock of Ages Lake
Location: 47.863068, -91.441376Panorama video of Rock of Ages Lake. © Steffan Fay
Rock of Ages Campsite
Location: 47.864780, -91.440628Campsite on Rock of Ages Lake.
Lake Three
Location: 47.878696, -91.438164One of the largest lakes on the route, Lake Three is peppered with islets large and small.
Stream Crossing
Location: 47.880196, -91.437843These fallen trees make a rustic stream crossing.
Portage
Location: 47.882015, -91.436127Cross this portage between Lake Three and Horseshoe Lake.
Horeshoe Lake
Location: 47.882442, -91.430458This will be your last glimpse of Horseshoe Lake.
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