Was wondering if anyone has paddled this route from Crane Lake to Lac La Croix. Was it difficult? How long did it take? Are there any tips you would use, as well as anything interesting to see along the way?
I've not done it but believe that to be well over 20 miles and a very long day's paddle - perhaps even a day & a half - and the river has high-speed motor traffic on it.
Getting a tow is expensive but worth consideration; LLC itself is great.
"I don't care what you believe. I care what you can prove."
-Philosopher & Mathematician JJJ
I have a thread from last week up about EP 12 if interested. Multiple people told me to try to find a different EP or to get a tow if possible (which are expensive). I believe it's 18 miles from Crane Lake to the first portage to Loon Lake.
A guy or two said there might be rough waters and boats who will not slow down for you.
I ended up switching to Sawbill when I saw an open permit today.
It's 22 miles to LLC. Not difficult at all. Loon River is easy to paddle against the current (unless you are going soon...then I don't know. Flooding conditions lately but I've never done it under these conditions...I don't think it would be too bad). Two portages and these are mechanical portages. Stay off the docks. The docks are for paying motor boats that use the services of the mechanical tow service. The canoe landings are marked and are on the shore.
Under higher water conditions, there is possibly a third very short portage. You will have to decide when you hit the narrows if you want to portage or paddle against the current.
I've done this stretch seven times and it takes me and/or my group about 6 hours. We move pretty fast and steady.
Don't miss the pictographs when you enter LLC. Pretty neat to look at and ponder.
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