Leg 1:Canoe

Transportation Method: Paddle (+Portage)

Location: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Distance: 180 miles

Duration: 8-12 days

Average: 18 miles per day

Leg one of the Trans Superior Traverse will be completed by canoe, following the Border Route through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA). The BWCA is the most visited wilderness area in the United States and contains just under 2,000 lakes. It is governed by strict regulations designed to preserve its pristine condition, including prohibitions on wheels and glass, restrictions on aircraft flying overhead, and limits on group sizes and permits.

The Border Route is the longest continuous traverse through the BWCA, beginning at the far western entry point at Crane Lake and following the Minnesota–Canada border east for approximately 180 miles. Upon reaching the Pigeon River, the team will complete the historic Grand Portage, traveling eight miles overland through the woods to the community of Grand Portage and the shores of Lake Superior.

This will be the shortest leg of the journey, covering roughly 180 miles through some of the most remote and wild terrain of the route. Our goal is to average about 18 miles per day, knowing that some days we’ll push farther while others will demand patience. Weather, especially wind, will play a major role, and we’ve intentionally built in flexibility to account for those conditions, along with a full day dedicated to completing the historic Grand Portage.