It was a muggy morning on Saturday and it looked like it was going to rain at any minute, but we decided to chance the weather and go for a hike on the Big Moose Trail.
Big Moose Trail
This is a pretty easy 2-1/2 mile hike (one way) into Big Moose Lake in the BWCAW. Once you reach the Echo Trail (County Road 116), it’s about a 25 mile drive to the east end of Forest Road 464 (Moose Loop Road).
Big Moose Trail Hiker
The trail is very well defined and the rock cairns that are strategically placed help you on your way.
Rock Cairn
At the end of the trail you will be in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, so you will need a day use permit. The permits are available at the trailhead.
Big Moose Lake campsite
There is a very nice campsite on Big Moose Lake that you can hike into. It’d be a great spot for a picnic. If overnight camping, you will need to get a permit in advance at the LaCroix Ranger station in Cook. Or you can go on-line. Hiking permits for backpacking are usually pretty easy to get, there isn’t as much demand as there is for canoe route permits. The campsite at Big Moose Lake is absolutely one of the nicest I have ever seen.
Fall Colors
Fall colors are just starting to show up in the north woods.
Fly Amanita
More information can be found here on the US Forest Service website http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/superior/recreation/hiking/recarea?recid=37125&actid=51
i did a double-take when I saw your map today. There’s a very nice Big Moose Lake and Moose River in the southern Adirondacks, too!