BWCA Entry Point, Route, and Trip Report Blog
May 15 2024
Entry Point 9 - Little Indian Sioux River South
Little Indian Sioux River (south) entry point allows overnight paddle only. This entry point is supported by La Croix Ranger Station near the city of Ely, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 44 miles. Heading South from the Echo Trail. Difficult route. Four portages to Bootleg Lake. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.
Number of Permits per Day: 1 permit every other day
Elevation: 1362 feet
Latitude: 48.1420
Longitude: -92.2079
Little Indian Sioux River South - 9
Number of Permits per Day: 1 permit every other day
Elevation: 1362 feet
Latitude: 48.1420
Longitude: -92.2079
Little Indian Sioux River South - 9
Snow Bay Tow, LLC, exit Little Indian Sioux River.
by ajfairchild
Trip Report
Entry Date:
August 14, 2020
Entry Point:
Little Vermilion Lake (Crane Lake)
Exit Point:
Little Indian Sioux River (north) (14)
Number of Days:
8
Group Size:
7
Trip Introduction:
7 days, 3 Ten year olds, 4 adults, fishing and fun. Utilized Zups for a tow to Snow Bay onn LLC. Paddled out Little Indian Sioux River.
Video link:
https://vimeo.com/452730833
Day 1 of 8
Friday, August 14, 2020 I wake up a year older. Thankful for another opportunity to go to the Boundary Waters with family and friends. 3 of my 10 year old nephews are joining the adventure this year. My older brother Matt and his son Noah are rendezvousing at my house. With them, are a couple of friends. One of which has never experienced the greatness of the BWCAW. As I say my goodbyes to my wife and young daughter I don't feel near as much nervousness as prior years. This year I have a garmin in-reach. The Covid situation and taking 3 ten year olds finally was enough reason for me to spend the money to have the ability to know how our families were doing and vice versa. Anyway, 7 souls made the trip to Orr, Mn. We ate some Dam decent food at the Dam restaurant after checking into North Country Inn. The Inn seemed quite clean, friendly owner, and the hummingbird feeders on the windows of the rooms are a nice touch. We wanted to fish from their dock but a fierce T-storm moved through that evening. We were thankful we chose the 15th as our entry day. 
Day 2 of 8
Thursday, July 01, 2021 Up at 6am. Had cereal with Nido milk, coffee/tea. The scouts that had camped on Alworth came back through. One man worked very hard to climb up the hill into our site with a big pack on. He didn't realize the trail went the other way and was much easier. He said they liked the site on Alworth and they were headed to Eddy Falls if possible. I'd think they would stop on Kekekabic as it is a destination lake, but the scouts really run through. We packed up and headed out to portage to Hatchet. I had read the portage was hard to see and basically a hole in the rock. It was close to the campsite on the east side of Ima. We paddled to midway between the 2 visible campsites and worked along the shore. It is a really tight landing. We got through ok, once on the trail it isn't bad, but the start is very rocky and uphill. [paragraph break] Started up the river to Thomas. It is very pretty narrow waterway filled with waterlilies. There are 3 potential portages to Thomas pond. The first is a pullover that we portaged over. The older Fisher map I had made it look like the 3rd portage was to the left of end of the previous portage and Dan's new map made it look like 1 trail. We went left and went over what looked like a beaver dam and a small drop. We couldn't find the portage but felt committed at this point. we started down the stream and found it too narrow, so we took out the big packs put them on rocks on the side and double carried down the stream. We got everything through and took off. I didn't think it looked big enough to be Thomas pond, but Dan said what else can it be? Huh. We passed a canoe going the other way with 2 adults, 2 small children and 2 large dogs. Canoes are amazing watercraft. We got to what looked like a pullover. Dan got out and said it was just a beat down area, like people had stopped there a lot, so we paddled through. I probably would have recognized it since I scouted it the 1st time when we carried over it, but didn't get out this time. We kept paddling and got to a lake. I argued it didn't look right but Dan said it should open up ahead. We paddled to the end, still thinking it could be Thomas. I told Dan we were heading north it shouldn't look like this. We finally stopped on the shore and got out the InReach and the phone and it placed us on Hatchet Lake. I should add it was sunny and about 85 degrees, in other words, hot. We still didn't want to believe it, but it was the only place we could be. Dan thought the InReach was wrong until I said " look you can see the blade of the hatchet right there". [paragraph break] We pulled out the sliced homemade BBQ brisket and made sandwiches before taking off again. I don't care for steaks, but sliced brisket was well worth the weight. (We vaccum sealed enough for 2 sandwiches and kept it frozen with the sausages, butter and 2 frozen water bottles in the small insulated lunch pack to eat on 2nd day.) You would think we would have noticed we had been heading upstream and shouldn't have taken the stream downstream, but we claim fatigue and stupidity and unwillingness to recognize we could be lost. Bad traits in the wilderness, but at least we got back on track. We went back thru the last portage we had done and went to the right. Upstream this time. It didn't feel like the right way, but we found the correct portage a little way along and got to Thomas pond and through the next pullover. There's a pretty waterfall there and the Kekekabic trail crosses it at right angles. [paragraph break] We had planned to got to Kiana to get off the bigger more crowded lake, but we were beat and it was late. We passed several taken campsites and could see the island site was taken. We stopped on the 1st open site we came to. I thought it might be a little too closed in. We checked the next site along, and decided the 1st one looked a lot better and the next one was taken also. Went back and claimed the site about 4:30 pm. We set up camp and rehydrated the dried beef and spaghetti sauce. Cooked spaghetti. Had with toast and salad. Tea. Not bad for such a long day. The next to last picture is the Kekakabic Trail crossing the stream. [paragraph break] Alworth 5 R Ima 28 R Hatchet lake, Hatchet river 5 R, 20R, 20R downstream,Hatchet lake, 20R again. 24R Thomas pond. 7R Thomas. I think, the maps are not very clear in this area. Paddle planner makes it look like a continuous trail. Fisher map is unmarked for lengths. 8.2 miles total. 6.5 miles paddling, 1.7 miles portaging. 
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Day 5 of 8
Sunday, August 16, 2020 Ate a quicker style breakfast after everyone was up. We usually have the option of oatmeal, cliff bars, wraps with your choice of PB, Jelly, and/or Nutella. Got out fishing around 8:15 am for a few hours. Caught some smallys, northerns, and at least one walleye. Kids enjoyed the beaches the site had to offer. They again noted seeing the snapper. We ate a bunch of spaghetti with 2 lbs. of meat. The boys fished as we cleaned up camp to head out in search of some lake trout. While doing dishes, my nephew Noah casted a Berkley Flicker Shad within striking range of the turtle. "Turtle on"...Matt scolded him a bit initially as we hurried over to the action thinking of how best to extract a hook safely from the old snapper. Either way the fight was on. As the snapper entered the shallows the hook came out immediately when the snapper opened it's powerful mouth. Turtle man Travis got a quick photo op with the beast. Noah was stoked and it made for a good story and good laugh. Went out fishing and did have some luck, but no lake trout. Enjoyed a beautiful sunset as we headed back to camp for the night. Hot chocolate for the boys and crown royal apple for myself when we returned. I reccomend at least a 750ml for 6 night trip.
Day 7 of 8
Monday, August 17, 2020 Fishing again around 8-8:30 am. We worked our way east towards fish stake narrows and took a break around 11 at campsite 167. We fished our way back to camp and arrived a bit before 2pm. Ended up keeping a couple walleye and a northern to eat. Threw back a few northerns and bass. Had a relaxing day at camp with fish and chili to eat. We cleaned up camp and utilized the last couple hours of daylight fishing for a LLC laker once more. My brother managed to hook into a nice fish in deeper water but got off before we could catch a glimpse. No LLC laker for us. Did catch another nice sunset though.
Day 9 of 8
Tuesday, August 18, 2020 I woke up around 6am and started packing up to head towards Finger Lake. 8:30 am we were fed, packed up, and canoes loaded. Paddled to Pocket Creek / Pocket Lake around 10am, Finger Creek / Finger Lake. The lake was vacant of other humans so we opted for island campsite 107 @ about 1130 am. We've stopped here for a break on a previous trip and were hoping to have the opportunity to stay at this site. Not a lot of good tent pads. Ended up sticking the kids tent right next to the large boulder with the hand prints. The boys had a good time fishing and swimming. They were up for awhile talking and laughing. The last time I strolled over to their tents to tell them to get to bed I heard some talk that really disappointed me. I made it real clear that the conversion was over and it was bedtime. 
Day 10 of 8
Wednesday, August 19, 202 Character building day. One nephew got an earful first thing in the am followed by push ups. Every time I was disappointed thereafter during the trip in a nephews comments or lack of listening; push ups were required. It seemed somewhat effective. We then departed for a morning of fishing. No one caught a Finger Lake walleye. I did manage to hook into a 19.5" Smallmouth which was my personal best. Our friends and nephew Noah managed to land a couple pike we elected to keep for lunch. Spent the rest of the day relaxing, swimming, and kids fished around camp. A 3 person canoe cruised passed heading toward Pocket mid afternoon. We didn't think we'd see a lot of people in this area but we knew the wilderness was being visited by many this year, and for good reason. We've read about many first time visitors and mistakes that have been made. Anyway, the wind had come up a bit. We would have been out fishing but a storm was brewing to the west. Two canoes were seen in the distance coming from Pocket but did not come past us. The assumption was they saw our yellow CCS tarp and opted for one of the other open 3 sites on the lake. Awhile later as we were spread around camp hanging out, an unfamiliar "Hello" was heard in camp. We were surprised to see a young man ask if we knew where the other campsite was on the island. We explained that it was toward the north and showed him on the map. We asked if he needed any help, water, or food. He declined and went on his way to rejoin his group taking a trail that continues south west pass the latrine. After a few minutes, out from the woods comes a young woman. She explains that they can't find the other campsite. We pull out a MacKenzie, True North Map, and one other map and pointed out the campsite options. We asked if she needed any help, water, or food. She declined and went on her way to rejoin her group taking the trail pass the latrine again. The boys decided to play some hide and go seek and we tell them to stay within whistling distance. After a few minutes we heard some giggling and back came the boys saying the young man and woman were hanging out just beyond the latrine. The group had asked my nephews to please leave them alone. A fair request if they weren't hanging around our established camp . We then started to wonder why they were not in route to a campsite to set up. A few minutes later out from the woods comes a different woman. She greeted us and explained that they were quite exhausted and didn't think her son and daughter were up to any more paddling for the day. They had been dropped off at Snow Bay on LLC the day before. They were sent on a three day loop. She seemed to realize it was going to be a more ambitious paddling trip then what they must have expected. I offered to help look for and portage their gear to the other campsite. She explained that their tent was pitched for the night and hoped that was OK. She inquired about our lives some and explained that she was active duty military recently back from training out here with her kids. Knowing she had military background gave me some peace of mind that they would complete their journey after some rest. She again mentioned that the tent was set up. They wouldn't be loud and would be quick to bed. She asked how early we'd but up and what our plans were for the morning. We shared our intentions to get up around sunrise and head towards Beartrack, Eugene, Fat, and then to Slim if necessary. Her group was headed west to Eugene then north for a LLC Snow Bay pick up on the 21st. I updated her on the weather report from my garmin in reach. She thanked us for the info. and to the trail she went. We weren't sure what to think of this situation. It reaffirmed the importance of proper planning. Utilizing this website to have some idea of what to expect of your journey and optimal campsites in the areas you are going an essential part of proper planning for us. The rain started with lightning on the horizon to the west. We made soup, played cards, and tried to keep the boys from being loud, so as not to annoy our new neighbors near by. 
Day 11 of 8
Monday, July 05, 2021 We woke up and noticed a haze on the west end of Ima. It looked like smoke. We texted our son on the InReach and asked him to check if there were any fires in the area. He said there was one contained on Rock lake and a bigger fire in Manitoba. Then we heard someone paddling by yell to another group that there was a fire in Manitoba. It was probably more visible due to the steam from the rain mixing with the smoke. Pancakes and Bacon for breakfast. Cleaned up and went fishing. We stayed behind the island near the site as a NW wind was picking up. No bites. Came back, did camp chores. Had mini corn tortillas with cheese and salsa for lunch. The cheese is still with us. We've been filling the small water bottles that were frozen on the way in with lake water to keep it a little cooler. It's a little cooler today, about 85 and a pretty strong wind. We lowered the front of the tarp to give a wind break. We showered again and washed our hair since it is supposed to get cool the next day and it will probably be the last time we feel like it. Spent the rest of the day resting and hiding from the wind. A few people were braving the wind to get to the Ima portage. Many would paddle up to our site and even back in the inlet to see if it was the portage. We directed them to go about 1/3 mile to the east. One group of scouts came up and stopped to eat lunch on the point across from our camp. It didn't bother me too much until I saw them all paddle out to the front of the site and dip their nalgenes in to get water and start drinking. There's a beaver lodge right next to our camp and even if there wasn't I don't think that is regulation for scouts. If you want to take the chance, that's on you. Other people's kids not so much. [paragraph break] Made chicken and rice and broccoli behind the rock at the front of the site with wind blowing dirt devils up around it. Used the celery, and dried mushrooms and dried green pepper in it. Pretty good. Will probably take again. Also jello mold oven peach cobbler with FD peaches. Always a hit. Used plenty of liquid with the peaches along with brown sugar, cinnamon and cornstarch premixed at home. The extra water seemed to help keep it from sticking to the mold as bad. I put it on the stove and let it start to set before adding the topping so the topping would stay on top. And cooked with the pie pan lid on and the diffuser under it for about 30 mins. We ate it out of the pan after it cooled a bit with the rest with the rest of our "iced" tea and watched the sun set. The mosquitoes came out again and of course the wind finally died, but we were able to stay out on the point this time of and were more ready to pack up for the night. 
Day 13 of 8
Friday, August 21, 2020 7am we break camp. We finish the Fat Lake to Slim Lake portage around 830 am. Two adults double portaged. Slim Lake had one group of campers. Slim lake side of the portage to Little Loon was muddy in spots. Muddy as in one spot I stepped in resulted in me sinking to my groin. The Duluth pack had to be taken off me for me to get out. Other than that it went well. The boys were doing great taking smaller packs and miscellaneous items. We were on Little Loon around 915am. A nephew hooked up with a pike trolling. Many campsites were being utilized on Loon Lake. We reached Devils Cascade around 1145 am. The boys did well again attacking the Devilish portage. Finished this off with a couple of us double portaging at about 1230 pm. One group was having lunch there, another was site seeing, and the campsite was open at the time. We forged on veering East on Lower Pauness then headed for the short portage into Upper Pauness. 2 campsites were occupied that we saw along the way. Had a pleasant paddle down LIS River meeting 3 groups a long the way. We loaded up and headed for the showers and a good meal at Voyagaire Lodge in Crane Lake
Another great experience in the Wilderness. I think it helped the boys end their summer/covid break on a high note before school resumed. I truly hope this wilderness is left pristine for future generations. I gain a new appreciation for the information I recieve from this site every year. Keep planning that next trip. Dreams make life tolerable.
discuss this trip report (7 comments) - last post on September 04, 2020