Travel Time

I took my scout troop to the BWCA this past year. They were only semi-experienced canoeists, so while planning I assumed they would paddle 2.5 mph. Surprisingly, this is what we actually averaged, so I assume your boys will be similar. Efficient portaging will be a big factor. If they have never done this before, the first portage or two will be chaos, so that will increase the portage time. (Example - our first portage was 5 rods, and it took us 40 minutes. They improved significantly through the week.)

Assuming 2.5 mph paddling speed, 2 mph portaging speed, double portaging, and taking 10 minutes to load/unload, it will take 7 hours to get from Mudro to Lower Basswood Falls (Route Map). That in itself is a long day, especially for those not in as good of shape. However, since there will be portage chaos (count on it), you'll need to add a lot of time to that. Whichever way you look at it, it would be a very long day. In addition, you may not even have that much daylight, depending on the time you actually get going.

In short, I don't think you can do that in one day with a scout troop.

Group Size

Not sure if you are aware of it, but groups are limited to 9 people and 4 canoes. It sounds like you have a much bigger group than that. You will need to split into more than one group. The 9 person/4 canoe rule applies anywhere in the Boundary Waters, meaning no more than 9 people/4 canoes can be gathered in any one spot at any time. This means that your groups basically will not be able to interact. The easiest way to ensure this is to go your separate ways - take different routes.

Guide

You didn't mention who was leading the group, so I'll just throw in my two cents. I would recommend that at least one adult leader in each group have prior BWCA experience (and have done it more than once). If no one does, I would highly recommend going through the high adventure base or hiring a guide. If it were just a group of adults going for the first time, I wouldn't necessarily say this, but for scouts, you need someone with experience with you. We self-guided our own trip, but we had three people with prior experience to lead the two groups.

Basswood Falls Area

I haven't been to the Basswood Falls area myself, but it should be decent fishing. There are several different falls in that area (Lower Basswood, Upper Basswood, Wheelbarrow) that should offer good fishing. (As with any falls, make sure the scouts understand the dangers associated with them.)

If you would like to look at other areas, I have a few I can recommend.

Edited by user Friday, December 19, 2014 1:41:05 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Originally Posted by: vcchristensen

I thought that might be too long of a day. Maybe we will stay the first night on Horse.

I think that is a good idea. Just make sure you get permits for entry point 23 instead of 22. EP 22 doesn't allow camping on Horse.

Being first imers I am thinking maybe making it a little easier.We could enter at Mudro and make the portages into Jackfish Bay. Paddle north and base camp at the north end of either Jackfish or Pipestone Bay. How is that area ? Then we could head south down Pipestone Bay to Fall Lake and paddle right back to the outfitter.

Thinking Moose to Washington Island area ?

Lets say we want to head out Moose Lake up to Ensign and want a tow boat across Moose. Are there places we can use even if we use a different outfitter ?

http://www.paddleplanner.com/tripreports/tripreport.aspx?reportnum=72  We stayed at the site right below Lower Basswood Falls this past fall.  Perhaps the trip report will give you sone ideas.