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Meeds, Horseshoe, Gaskin Loop

Skill Level
Intermediate
Days
3
Miles
19
Entry Point
#48
Portages
11
Portage Rods
820
Longest Portage
288

Average Rating

0.0

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This is a great weekend trip, that can easily be extended into a longer journey. The first third of the loop gets the fewest visitors and will provide the best opportunities for isolation and though you will encounter more people in the end, you’ll be rewarded with magnificent lakes and camping.

Detailed Route Info

Take the long, 288-portage from Poplar Lake to Meeds, where you can find two great campsites on islands in the far western bay. Portage through a chain of small, west-east oriented lakes that are perfect for exploring by canoe. This will involve a few medium-length portages that lead to into Henson Lake, another long, narrow lake, with four designated campsites.

Henson is a crossroads lake that allows travel in all directions, including easy access west toward Omega Lake or east to Gaskin, plus an interesting option south to the Otto Lakes. For this route you’ll continue on to Gaskin Lake, which will seem huge after the long, narrow lakes you just traveled through.

Take a 97-rod portage directly into Horseshoe Lake, which is among the most appealing lakes on this journey. For this reason, it can be tough to find a campsite here in July and August!

The final leg of this journey will take you out of the Wilderness and back to your starting point on Poplar Lake. All of the lakes you encounter are connected by excellent portages, a treat that will make you want to stay out longer!

*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

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