Loop through Seagull and Saganaga Lakes

This short loop is not overly taxing and takes you through some spectacular island-dotted border country lakes. Much of this route is well traveled, so you won’t have quite the degree of solitude available on journeys deeper into the wilderness. Still, these big lakes provide plenty of room for everyone, and you are unlikely to feel overwhelmed by crowds.

Detailed Route Info

From the landing on Seagull Lake, paddle south into its island-studded heart of the lake. Consider exploring the remaining old pines of Three Mile Island or making a hard haul up to Jap Lake. Head north over a 209 rod portage into Grandpa Lake, where you may want to wet your line for a smallmouth bass.

You’ll have a bit of a climb just as you head out of Grandpa Lake. The next portage down into Saganaga is also not well traveled, but reasonably short and should pose no significant problems.

The 10-rod portage from Red Rock Lake to Alpine drops you into a cedar-ringed bay. You’ll have lots to explore before you take the 97-rod portage out of the lake and back to your starting point on Sea Gull Lake. This portage is a very popular entry and exit path and thus gets a lot of use.

*Route information provided courtesy of Dan Pauly, and have been modified from his book, Exploring the Boundary Waters: A Trip Planner and Guide to the BWCAW. University of Minnesota Press, 2004