Portaging in the Boundary Waters (BWCA) – Brule Lake

Recently the Average Flatlanders went on a 5-day trip deep into the BWCA, starting with a base camp on Brule Lake, one of the largest bodies of water on the BWCA, camping on the edge of Cone Bay. We did 4 portages from Brule to Lower Cone, Lower to Middle Cone, Middle to Upper Cone, and then onto Cliff Lake.

We learned a thing or two about portaging in the Boundary Waters. If you are looking to hear something about the portages between Brule and the Cones, or just portaging in general, read on.

  • Ensure you look carefully for all portages, they can be deceiving in finding their starting point, bring a good map or GPS
  • Make sure to bring shoulder pads to carry canoe above your head, it much easier than carrying a canoe, even with two people, but your hands
  • Watch your step carefully, lots of rocks and roots
  • I prefer to put my backpack on and carry the canoe on my shoulders, to avoid multiple trips
  • Hydrate and drink lots of water

If you are on Brule Lake in the BWCA and are thinking about portaging north through “The Cones”, Lower Cone, Middle Cone, Upper Cone, and then Cliff Lake … the portages between The Cones are short and flat, they are good starters if you are new to portaging.

The portage between Upper Cone and Cliff Lake is a little bit of a brutal one, mostly because it’s uphill most of the way from Upper Cone going towards Cliff Lake. It’s just long enough to make you tired.

 

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How to Plan for (BWCA) Boundary Waters Canoe Trip.

Today, I’m going to go over everything you need to know to plan your next Boundary Waters Wilderness Canoe trip. The first time I did this I didn’t even know where to start. You don’t know what you don’t know. The permits, the rules, the canoes, on and on. What to bring and what to plan for.

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Great Smoky Mountains – North Carolina Style

This is part two of the family vacation to the Great Smokey Mountains, most of which was spent on the North Carolina side of the mountains, by far, the better side for anyone looking to get away from the crowds and find quiet seclusion, peaceful waterfalls, nice hikes, wildlife, small towns, interesting and unique places to visit, and swimming.

Compared to the overrun towns and trails of Tennessee, North Carolina holds a faction of the people, and has a better selection of trails, parks, waterfalls, and a wider variety of activities.

In the previous post, I gave the general overview of the entire trip, and I will work on another blog post going into more detail about each location in the Smoky Mountains, giving specific advice and tips about where you should visit with a family, or just someone looking for the best experience overall.

Enjoy this part 2 video, and more to come on the blog!

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Itinerary for Great Smokey Mountains National Park – With Kids

It can be overwhelming to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with your family. You hear the stories and watch the videos of overly crowded roads and crazy people chasing bears. Yes, we saw some of that. But, it’s also true you can escape the crowds and have an amazing adventure in the woods, streams, trails, and mountains WITH your kids, and have one of the best family vacations ever!

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Biking. The Best Free Family Summer Activity.

Sometimes I sit in utter bewilderment and amazement at the dull throngs of families who sit all summer inside their houses, all staring their red and bleary eyes at the screens in front of them. When they do leave their castles of wood and drywall, it’s to fight the unruly crowds at the mall or to sit impatiently in line for a seat at the restaurant.

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14 Days Missing in Daniel Boone National Forest

It doesn’t matter who you are are where you are, when you wander into the backwoods of any Wilderness area or a National Forest, you had better be prepared for whatever comes next. The problem is that most people think that what awaits them is nothing but rainbows and unicorns.

Well, this has been an exciting year and if you’ve been reading any of our recent articles you know that there is more than rainbows and unicorns waiting for you out in the woods if you don’t come prepared. In today’s article, we will explore lessons from another absolutely amazing survival situation.

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Man Disappears into Grand Teton National Park. One month later, no trace.

This story starts with a 43-year-old man, one could call him an experienced Adventurer and someone who was well-traveled and used to remote wild places. He was on an epic travel adventure by all accounts, had just visited the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota, hit the Badlands, and was in the process of exploring the Grand Teton National Park … nothing too crazy for this adventurer who had spent time in Russia and even attended school in Germany.

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Yellowstone Blows Up. It’s The End Of The World.

Who would have guessed it? I mean, in today’s world, is it all that surprising? Not really. Yellowstone blew up. Of course it did. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, a rock … hmmm … it’s making the rounds of the interwebs that on July 23, 2024, a significant hydrothermal explosion occurred at Black Diamond Pool in Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone National Park.

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Sunday Fishing and Nature

 

I think there are a few things better than a quiet summer Sunday, Lord’s Day than heading out with a friend or two to hear some sounds of nature and go fishing. Getting away from the hustle bustle and phones, head to somewhere full of bugs and weeds where no one else is willing to go.

It’s fun to listen to the birds, frogs, plans, and such. Even if you don’t catch anything it’s good for the soul.

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Fishing an Abandoned Gravel Pit

The Average Flatlander heads out into the busy on a balmy 95-degree July day. We headed back into some abandoned gravel pit in this Part 1, looking for a monster lurking in the deep waters that have been forgotten and forlorn.

We find a bass, but not much else, the skeeters and heat about did us in.

 

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