Meeds, Omega and Winchell Loop

This long loop circles through a set of beautiful lakes west of Morgan and is suitable for relatively inexperienced crews if they are fit, don’t over pack, and like a good challenge.

Detailed Route Info

This first day of travel involves plenty of portaging, (including a 340-rod portage). If you want to stay at Horseshoe Lake, get there early, as it is one of the most popular lakes in this part of the Boundary Waters.

Take two short portages from Caribou to Meeds Lake, then a longer, 110-rod portage to Swallow Lake and another 93-rod portage to Pillsbery Lake. This long, narrow, and low-lying is dominated by spruce and a dense population of cedars, along with a few old white pines puncturing the horizon.

After a 53-rod portage into Henson Lake, you’ll have the option of five campsites to stay at, if you’re so inclined, otherwise take the 37-rod portage into Omega Lake or time to move on to another lake in the event the sites are full.

(For an alternative way to end the route, take a steep 44-rod portage down into Otto Lakes and head east towards Gaskin Lake where you would link up with this loop.)

The portage down to Winchell from Omega is almost completely flat and mostly dry, but can require some careful footwork. You’ll now paddle across Winchell, Gaskin, and Horseshoe Lakes. Tall cliffs rise up from the south shore of Winchell, which are all popular destinations, so make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to find a campsite on any of these three lakes.

You’ll return to familiar territory and exit the way you came in, arriving at the parking lot at the Morgan Lake entry point.

*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