Since 2016, what's changed? My last trip in 2016 was a great one, and I did 13 trips in total. I've done the east side and the west side with one Quetico trip through Prairie portage. I was always limited to one "guy" trip a year because of vacation time, so when I stopped doing BWCA trips I started doing elk hunts. I've retired from the private sector and work for the state now, so I make a lot less money, but I have a lot more time off! Well, starting this year I'm back at it. I'm doing a trip! I miss it. I know the lakes that I enjoy, and even the specific camp sites, but what's changed? Anything?

I'm a rule follower while tripping, any new major rules?

I'm a gear nut, the only piece of equipment I'd probably upgrade is a 3 person tent, what's the new tent?

I did some trips on the east side with Redwood outfitters on Poplar Lake. It was, I think Mike and I can't remember his wife's name, for a few trips. I loved them! Then they retired and I used Redwood again with the new crew, and they were great also. Is it still around?

Oh and a restaurant in Grand Marais, My Sisters, I think? Loved it! Still around?

Or anything else that you all would like to say about the last 8 years?

Miss you all!

Update... I just hopped on YouTube and looked it up, it's Rockwood and the wife was Len. I can still remember her voice.

Single major difference - more people, fewer permits available at any one time.

Yes, it is Rockwood. Her name was Lyn, and Mike and Lyn Sherfy are no longer there. Carl and company do a great job at Rockwood and you will still find it a good place, I think. (Carl and Stephanie, Mike and Carol.). They have cabins and a nice bunkhouse, and full outfitting. We stay in one of the cabins every summer for a week and we enjoy it there.

Since we don’t go out into the BWCA anymore, I’ll let others comment on changes in 8 years.

My Sister’s Place is still around and still a great place to eat!

Regulation wise, they reduced the amount of permits at specific entry points in response to so many people visiting since the pandemic. It has gotten a lot busier in the last 8 years, so having an understanding of patience is a must.

And as the forum is finding out, they just made some stricter rules around food storage at campsites when no one is in camp.

No major fires, but it has been dry so it is almost a given a fire ban will occur at least once a year during the summer. Quetico got hit with a big fire two years ago.

What's the stricter rules with food storage? My first 6 or so trips I did the blue barrel and harness and always tried to hang it well, but very rarely does that happen. There's never the perfect tree with the perfect limb. So I started just using a second pack and tying it in a canoe and the canoe over turned against a tree and tied. During the day the pack went in a canoe. I had one bear encounter on the peninsula on Fourtown. The pack was hung so maybe that was good?

I'm sure fewer permits is a touching subject? I'd rather do less trips, but see less people. Just my opinion. I think preservation should be important.

I've never been on a trip with a fire ban, but I did an elk hunt maybe 2020 in Utah and there was a very strict fire ban. I do a lot of water boiling and coffee on a small collapsible stove that you feed thumb size wood into. It just saves weight with fuel. Is that banned also when fires are restricted?

Thank you all!

You must use a pressurized gas stove with a shutoff switch during fire bans. This excludes twig stoves, esbit stoves, and alcohol stoves.