Steve, I think Island Lake would be a great way to spend darn near an entire winter. A fellow would come away with a lot of knowledge that way.

For me, it's going to be Burntside's North Arm. While the monster map has a lot of good structure marked that the smaller maps do not, I've come across quite a few unmapped North Arm structures. This winter I'm going to give the Arm a lot of attention.

Van vac landing is used heavily in winter. I bet you can get away from the crowds by going to the north arm. The landing on the north arm gets used less because of the long drive on winding roads. Few parking spots. Does it stay plowed? Is there ever a road out from there?

Hans, there's never been any ice road I've seen up there. North Arm Road is plowed all winter, but by laker season there's usually a pretty big plow-bank to climb over with your gear, and most (not all) folks with wheelers/sleds just zip over from Van Vac because they'd otherwise have to shovel out/knock down the snowbank along NA Road.

Plus, it's probably only about a mile run from Van Vac to the entrance to the Noth Arm if you cut through some islands instead of taking the longer way around.

Though the North Arm access down to the lake itself is not plowed, they do plow a wider swath along the road so people can pull over and park. Right across the road from the NA landing is the Slim Lake BWCAW entry point, a road which can be driven until snows block it and is used by snowshoers/skiers.

That's about what I imagined. Thanks for the info. I keep trying to convince my dad to plow on the lake but it's very low on his priority list. I bet with a little organization you guys could come up with a plowing coop and at least get a good north south run and an east west run with little expense if everyone pooled their resources. Hans

Assuming we want to increase winter North Arm traffic that much.

Right now it's pretty cool. The more casual laker anglers can stay within striking distance of the Van Vac contractors' road (plenty of very good laker water along that stretch), which leaves the whole rest of the lake for folks with sleds/wheelers. Of course, plenty of years you can drive a 4x4 pretty much all over the lake for at least part of the season.

You could film it, make it a reality TV show, call it Ice road Truckers Burntside Bash edition.

I hear you on the traffic though. Hans

Now THAT would be a lot of fun.

Thanks stfcatfish for the info. We made our reservation today for the paddle inn. They did still have some rooms left so we will see you guys up there this year. I am getting excited!!!

BEBOBEBOBEBO!

Sutherland your in luck, I just booked the room adjacent to yours.

Oh man there goes the neighborhood.
Thats cool. Bloody mary's and cribbage in the big corner room.

Half the fun of the Bash is all the buildup in here before the event even comes!

Ya this will have 25 pages by the time the bash comes.

Oh man....sure hope we're on the other end!

And upwind!

Sorry, no Cheffrey sandwiches.

As for you Foss, keep it up..........I know what you drive, and know where to get some good cheese for under your seat.