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 Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Quetico Forum Quetico trip from Basswood lake Reply
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| Author | Message Text |
| ZSO |
04/04/2018 06:39PMTomT: "Butthead he may have done this trip already. It's an old thread. Yes I did. Had a good trip, went in through basswood, got a little lost at those no name lakes and went out via Isabelle lake. If my son ever finishes the video footage I will post it. ZSO |
| butthead |
04/04/2018 10:13AM I did not catch that Tom, as I said I seldom delve into others trip planning. Thanks for pointing that out. Any way the info from my last trip was news to the Rangers at Grand Marais who assumed I would be restricted to permit pick up the day before. butthead |
| TomT |
04/03/2018 04:22PM Butthead he may have done this trip already. It's an old thread. Banksiana lives the dream. |
| butthead |
04/03/2018 08:21AMZSO: "Thank all for the advice. I thought that with a RABC I did not have to go into customs at PP. I called a few outfitters and now I understand that I would have to check in at Prairie Portage. Normally I stay out of trip planning discussions, but read this anyhow. You could reverse your original planned trip, starting with a tow to PP to get into Quetico first, then exit Quetico entering the BWCA on a EP71 (trip originated in Canada and enters Bwca). The 71 permit can be picked up ahead of time. I did this last Sept entering at Cache Bay looping up to top of Agnes down to PP border rout to Seagull, picked my 71 permit up 9 days earlier at the Grand Marias Ranger Station, the Ranger had never processed a 71 before and thought it would not go thru the system but to her surprise it did predated for EP 71 date 8 days latter. This way I was already permitted to enter the BWCA mid trip. I did talk to US Customs to explain ahead, their response was to check in as soon as I could get to a Customs Office. Much more doable than BWCA first then Quetico on same trip, eliminating a mid trip park entry. butthead |
| Banksiana |
04/03/2018 12:43AMcburton103: " Exactly. One of the most beautiful portages in the park. Interesting about your fishing experience. We could not raise any smallmouth either though we tried hard for them. Earl also has lake trout, the one's I've caught in the past were small and fat/round with an orange/brown coloring and bright orange flesh. |
| cburton103 |
04/02/2018 08:03PMBanksiana: "HoHo is plenty deep. Caught a number of lake trout there in 2016 (the only time I've fished the lake). Definitely one of my favorites. Think I've camped there a couple of times each season for the last four years- maybe as many as three times (and five nights) in a season." Oh and by the way, that's an impressive number of times to camp on one lake each of the last few seasons! I've really enjoyed this board over the last nine years of trips up north, and even more in the last (coming up on) five years worth of Quetico trips. The amount of experience shared here is incredible, and a great resource. If any of you guys with a lot of trips under your belt are ever looking to share stories of your progression as canoeists and what you've done to canoe Quetico so frequently I'd be all ears! I'm 30 now, so I have lots of time to get more trips under my belt and pass my experiences along in the future as well. If there's a thread on this already feel free to direct me there. Otherwise, I might start a new thread on this if you guys are willing to share. |
| cburton103 |
04/02/2018 07:59PMBanksiana: "HoHo is plenty deep. Caught a number of lake trout there in 2016 (the only time I've fished the lake). Definitely one of my favorites. Think I've camped there a couple of times each season for the last four years- maybe as many as three times (and five nights) in a season." Just for clarity, HoHo is the lake to the southeast of Fishhook/Earl at the end of the 111 rod portage, correct? We were mostly just throwing Zulus around some of the mid lake reefs as we passed by. It was mid morning and we didn't see any fish activity. Maybe there just aren't many smallmouth or they just didn't like what we were throwing at them. That's happened to me before as well! |
| Banksiana |
04/02/2018 12:55AMTomT: " I don't fish when on HoHo lake with HoHo. [though I did upset Piwi with my swimming style and mode of entry] |
| mgraber |
04/02/2018 12:04AM Thanks for yet another great thread. I love this group! |
| TomT |
04/01/2018 07:54AM Reading this thread puts a smile on my face. It's like we are sitting around a campfire or tavern tipping back a few and telling stories. The internet is a wonderful thing. (raises coffee) Happy trails this year guys! PS. Ho Ho doesn't fish so I think we should respect his lake and not wet lines there. HA! |
| Banksiana |
04/01/2018 01:03AM HoHo is plenty deep. Caught a number of lake trout there in 2016 (the only time I've fished the lake). Definitely one of my favorites. Think I've camped there a couple of times each season for the last four years- maybe as many as three times (and five nights) in a season. |
| cburton103 |
03/31/2018 11:55PM Entertaining thread indeed. I had no clue Banks was who got the name Shan Walshe to stick! By the way, I traveled through Ho Ho Lake last June. Really nice lake. Felt really remote and infrequently used. I enjoyed everything about traveling through except not getting a single bite while fishing. That lake and the next unnamed one to the south both seemed shallow like they may not hold many fish through winter. |
| Jackfish |
03/31/2018 10:28AM Bumping a great thread. |
| Ho Ho |
04/25/2017 12:14PM It's a breach of etiquette to save the Queen's life. Who knew? And the thread drifts further afield . . . |
| Springer2 |
04/25/2017 07:37AM A spring bouquet for Shan and Shannon Walshe from McIntyre Lake-- 
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| dentondoc |
04/25/2017 12:45AMquote Ho Ho: "Yeah I think getting "Ho Ho Lake" accepted is pretty unlikely, unless I save the life of Her Majesty the Queen of Right of Ontario (apparently Elizabeth's official title in the province) or some like that. " It's close. Her Majesty the Queen IN Right of Ontario is the formal title, conveying that the Queen is the highest authority in the Province of Ontario ... although I suspect if you saved her life, she might abide the breach of proper etiquette under the circumstances and chalk it up the educational depravity of the colonist. dd |
| dentondoc |
04/25/2017 12:34AMquote Banksiana: "I prefer the empty lake space. However in the late 80's I did petition the park to name a specific unnamed lake and was successful in the quest. I believe I wrote a letter to the Park Superintendent and to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. As a non-Canadian I don't think I would have gotten anywhere without the Quetico Park superintendent's endorsement and that the naming was to honor the passing of one of their own (Shan Walshe)." Maybe one day we'll have a lake name Shannon Walshe. (Shannon is Shan's daughter and also a park biologist. I crossed paths with her when her posting was with the Woodland Caribou Provincial Park staff.) dd |
| Ho Ho |
04/24/2017 08:49PM Yeah I think getting "Ho Ho Lake" accepted is pretty unlikely, unless I save the life of Her Majesty the Queen of Right of Ontario (apparently Elizabeth's official title in the province) or something like that. But it is amazing that they have left so many lakes in Quetico unnamed, when vastly inferior lakes in the BW have names. And congrats Banks on getting Shan Walshe named! |
| Banksiana |
04/24/2017 06:20PM I prefer the empty lake space. However in the late 80's I did petition the park to name a specific unnamed lake and was successful in the quest. I believe I wrote a letter to the Park Superintendent and to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. As a non-Canadian I don't think I would have gotten anywhere without the Quetico Park superintendent's endorsement and that the naming was to honor the passing of one of their own (Shan Walshe). |
| TomT |
04/24/2017 05:43PM I wonder how we can submit names for these unnamed lakes. It would be pretty cool to see Ho Ho Lake printed on a MacKenzie map. |
| Ho Ho |
04/24/2017 11:48AMquote TomT: "Ho Ho, is your lake the unnamed with the large boulders sticking up prominently in the lake? There are a few unnamed on that southern route from McIntyre to Fish Hook (Earl). " It's the one that is one portage east of Fishhook/Earl on the southern route. It has two campsites on it and the first time David and I passed through there back in 2005 I was like, Why is this awesome lake unnamed, let's call it Ho Ho! And then some years later when we stayed there with Banksiana I got him to start using the name. :) |
| Banksiana |
04/24/2017 08:21AM Hoping for a first trip entering around May 12. Route to be mused over and eventually determined during the drudgery of work. Soon come. |
| TomT |
04/24/2017 05:39AMquote Ho Ho: "You know it's spring when . . . this thread is this long! Ho Ho, is your lake the unnamed with the large boulders sticking up prominently in the lake? There are a few unnamed on that southern route from McIntyre to Fish Hook (Earl). And yes, my trip isn't till the end of august but I think of the route often. French Lake at 5:30AM to start. It's gonna be cool to get out that early. |
| Ho Ho |
04/23/2017 10:02PM You know it's spring when . . . this thread is this long! Springer . . . hope your shoulder heals and you get out there soon! TomT . . . I'm so glad you used the name Ho Ho Lake . . . and yes, there are a lot of unnamed lakes that should be named after all of us! :) Banksiana . . . You forgot to mention how I wrenched my wrist on that west portage into Side because of the flooding and blow-down . . . and yet . . . I'd still go that way as my first choice. I'm getting excited about Quetico season. How 'bout you? |
| Springer2 |
04/23/2017 09:14PM You are killin' me. I had my right shoulder replaced in January and for a couple years I wasn't sure I'd ever paddle again. I feel like a million bucks (knock on wood) and can't wait to get back to Quetico. Here's a photo of the Side<>Sarah portage we took--never found the other one (we didn't look real hard). This one was semi-challenging in September, but there's wonderful country between North Bay and Sarah/Kahshahpiwi. 
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| GraniteCliffs |
04/23/2017 03:16PM Very odd. We just decided today that one of my Q trips will do exactly what the OP suggested: Down Basswood, Robinson, etc. Early September on this trip. Just pulled the permit |
| TomT |
04/23/2017 10:10AM And, if you really want to have fun you can take the southern route out of mcIntyre west (through Ho Ho Lake) to Ted. Ted is an absolute jewel. Could be my favorite in the park. Then you can exit Ted south through a no name then do a bushwhack portage along a creek that leads to Robinson. Then access Kett from there. The bushwhack is not bad. You can't get lost bc you stay by the creek. It's pretty open understory but you need to watch your footing. |
| dentondoc |
04/23/2017 09:51AMquote TomT: "ZSO, nah give it a go." I'm absolutely with Tom here. Hey, there is no question. I'm going! Its just a matter of which of the possible routes I take from Isabella to Sarah. I'm just saving the Kett portages for coming out. Go for it! What ever challenges you face, the rewards (Sarah, McIntyre, Robinson ... and others in that neck of the woods) are well worth it. dd |
| TomT |
04/23/2017 06:00AM ZSO, nah give it a go. Banksiana is saying I just needed to enter the creek and I would be fine. I wasn't sure it was the way to go so I just took the more sure route into unnamed east of Side. Just know that muddy creek is the right way and keep paddlin'. The Isabella creek is a beauty too. I'm just done with that route because all of my trips will now start from the north. I need new sites and waters. Banksiana, if Ho Ho can get a Lake named for him I propose the unnamed east of Side be yours. Banksiana Lake! It's not a bad site there as you say. |
| ZSO |
04/22/2017 05:31PMquote TomT: "quote Banksiana: "TomT Reading this all makes me want to avoid the route. Or are you all telling stories....Yeh i did the two long portages from pickerel into cache when I was in my teens. Talk about a mud swamp. Would not think of it now. |
| Banksiana |
04/22/2017 02:19PM The portage is about one hundred yards up the creek that flows in from the north of the bay. Creek has two small dams that require a bit of creativity to surmount, Creek is plenty deep to paddle (went up it the day I passed you on Bailey Bay). On my trip last year with HoHo and David we took that route into Side and after visiting Kahshahpiwi returned south through the lake to the east of Side (first time for me), camped at the site you stayed at on the no name between the two hilly portages and then parted ways with me going to Sarah using the mountain goat portage into Side- thus in the course of four days I took every portage out of Side with the exception of the overland route into Sarah (Long live the creek route!). It is through this experience of close side by side comparison that I declare the west route the easiest, followed by the route to the east of Side (but not significantly easier than the mountain goat route, certainly less traveled and comes into Side north of the Sarah portages), and the mountain goat route most difficult. I do like the campsite on the middle no name lake. Nice site, nice lake. |
| TomT |
04/22/2017 02:11PMquote Banksiana: "TomT- The one I'm talking about is out of the no name #409 just north of Isabella. The western most portage out of the bay. I could see a creek but it looked nasty. Something I would have to pole and drag through. Thick muddy soup stuff. Maybe that's not the portage and I missed it? Anyway, I went into the no name just east of Side Lk. and camped for night one. Then took the hill into Side and went north to the bog portage into Sarah. Much better than taking the hill portage out of Side into Sarah. I've done that route three times now and I think I'm done with it. |
| Pinetree |
04/22/2017 12:29PMquote GraniteCliffs: "Some of the old maps of this area show a portage from the northern tip of Point into the no name lake east of Side. I think this is the muddy portage DD was referencing. It is beyond a mud slog, esp in the spring. I have two old maps of this area and have marked a huge X over the marked portage, having taken it twice in ten years. The new maps no longer show it. If it is the portage I think,it is actually a boggy area. We attempted that portage,but after looking at it we decided to go the south route. |
| GraniteCliffs |
04/22/2017 10:09AM Some of the old maps of this area show a portage from the northern tip of Point into the no name lake east of Side. I think this is the muddy portage DD was referencing. It is beyond a mud slog, esp in the spring. I have two old maps of this area and have marked a huge X over the marked portage, having taken it twice in ten years. The new maps no longer show it. Unfortunately, I never did mark the other map of the same area and took it on a trip last year. I followed the other canoe in our group without thinking straight to the mud portage. Yep, we went through that mud slog again and buried ourselves in the slime. One of my paddling partners had never been canoeing before. It was actually hysterical watching us fall into the mud. |
| Banksiana |
04/22/2017 09:43AM TomT- I think you missed the takeout for the portage, it's a slab of rock that immediately climbs 15 feet above the swamp on the left side of the creek right after the second beaver dam. It is not readily apparent due to low traffic and hard substrate. Most of the first portage is high and dry, the wet sections being rocky puddles. Sorry Tom- misunderstood your posting. I too did that portage to Point years ago and never again. Muck, slick, overgrown alder thickets...... |
| TomT |
04/22/2017 05:50AM I don't think the hill portages are too bad unless it's warm and or humid out. But if you're starting the trip this way the packs will be heavier than if on the way out. I'd try the low route. Last Sept I started my trip this way and couldn't get into that southern portage out of Isabella. It was a swampy mudfest if you know what I mean. I went to the no name and camped there before climbing the hill into side. Then I went north and out of Side to Sarah via the marsh which was a real nice paddle. No issues there. I did a trip report with pics if interested. PP to Sarah |
| TomT |
04/22/2017 05:50AM DP |
| Springer2 |
04/21/2017 06:45PM Heading out from Side to No-Name, beaver dams, Sept., 2015 (No-Name west of Isabella in distance). I would say it's a toss-up between the two alternate portages between Side Lake and No-Name, although the hill gets harder every year.  Climbing Heart-attack Hill from Side Lake to No-Name on the way to Isabella, 
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| dentondoc |
04/21/2017 02:08PMquote HighnDry:"Last year I paddled up to the two beaver dams mentioned only after mistakenly taking a swampy portage down to Point which is not pictured on ZSO's map (but trust me, it's there)." Oh, yeah! I know its there!! One time when I cross the no-name to Point portage (after having taken my gear across the swamp to a dry spot), I used by canoe like a scooter. I put one knee in the middle/bottom of the canoe and pushed along with my other foot ... using what ever floating debris gave me purchase. Actually, it worked pretty well! Of course, by that time, I was pretty well covered with evidence of my previous crossings up to crotch deep. (My paddling partner managed to find a hole, so his "high water" mark was mid-chest.) I believe that portage has been taken off most newer maps, but still my maps show the "penciled in" notation "SWAMP." dd |
| GraniteCliffs |
04/20/2017 10:23AMquote HighnDry: "I'm going to try and take the low/level portages this Spring out of that no-name lake from Isabella. I've also climbed those 2 hill portages enough on my to Slide. Last year I paddled up to the two beaver dams mentioned only after mistakenly taking a swampy portage down to Point which is not pictured on ZSO's map (but trust me, it's there)." These are the types of challenges that make Quetico alluring to me. Might me a swampy portage that does not really exist but it all part of the charm! |
| HighnDry |
04/20/2017 09:49AM I'm going to try and take the low/level portages this Spring out of that no-name lake from Isabella. I've also climbed those 2 hill portages enough on my way to Side. Last year I paddled up to the two beaver dams mentioned only after mistakenly taking a swampy portage down to Point which is not pictured on ZSO's map (but trust me, it's there). |
| Banksiana |
04/18/2017 11:39PMquote dentondoc: Well said. |
| dentondoc |
04/18/2017 11:35PMquote GraniteCliffs: "ZSO, we merged two conversations about portages into one thread. Quite correct. But don't worry yourself grasshopper, all these portages lead to nirvana. dd |
| GraniteCliffs |
04/18/2017 08:23PM ZSO, we merged two conversations about portages into one thread. The 630 portage into Sarah is one conversation. The alternative to the long portage (which does get longer and steeper every year and this year had several huge deadfalls) is to take the creek just north of the marked portage. Short flat portages and less work. I always liked the portage until this year when I again went via the creek short portages and think I may be a convert to that route. The other discussion is in regard to alternative ways to enter the southern tip of Side Lake. One option comes into Side from the eastern direction and the other more westerly route is up the creek south of Side. Hope that helps |
| Banksiana |
04/18/2017 07:34PM The "heart attack hill" portage is not that long or difficult. The western route has much less elevation gain and loss. On the heart attack hill route the first portage out of the unnamed lake past Isabella climbs considerably before ending in another small unnamed lake, the portage into Side then climbs still further before a steep descent (the heart attack hill) into Side Lake. The western route stays pretty level but sees less traffic and the trail is not quite as clear. |
| thinblueline |
04/18/2017 06:24PM I'm planning on taking this heart attack hill portage in four weeks. How long is it, and how hard can it be? |
| ZSO |
04/18/2017 01:28PMquote dentondoc: "quote Banksiana: "It's not a mud slog and is passable even in relatively low water. There are two small beaver dams to pull over to get to the first portage- probably about 40 rods of travel with some short up and downs. Then a paddle across a beaver pond and through a narrow rock chute that is usually navigable but can be pulled over when the water is very low. Around the corner in a tiny lake to a long (probably about 100 rods) fairly level carry. The first portion is wet in higher water but solid ground. It was difficult due to blow down and high water early last year (on a trip with Ho Ho and David), but it has since been cleared. The trail has easy footing most of the way. Not sure what your all talking about, Are you referring to the creek north of the 630 Meter portage? 
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| dentondoc |
04/18/2017 11:59AMquote Banksiana: "It's not a mud slog and is passable even in relatively low water. There are two small beaver dams to pull over to get to the first portage- probably about 40 rods of travel with some short up and downs. Then a paddle across a beaver pond and through a narrow rock chute that is usually navigable but can be pulled over when the water is very low. Around the corner in a tiny lake to a long (probably about 100 rods) fairly level carry. The first portion is wet in higher water but solid ground. It was difficult due to blow down and high water early last year (on a trip with Ho Ho and David), but it has since been cleared. The trail has easy footing most of the way. Thanks, Banksiana and BillConner. Yes, I was planning to do the creek route from Side to Sarah. OK. I'll give the "low" route into Side a try this year. I've done Cardiac Hill enough times that I can afford to miss the climb ... although being an old backpacker, it does make me reminiscence about doing some of trails in the Rockies (one of the few portages in Quetico that makes me that nostalgic). dd |
| GraniteCliffs |
04/18/2017 10:39AM I swear I took the short portages into Side about 10-15 years ago and vowed never to go that way again. I bet I have been through there at least 15 times since and have always gone with The Hill. Will likely be there again this summer or fall so might give the short portages another shot. Thanks for the info. As I age that Hill gets longer and steeper every year. |
| billconner |
04/18/2017 06:26AM I suspect with two beaver dams this route changes, and may have been different last year than when I did it last 4-5 years ago, and could be different next year. It's always worth a peek. |
| Banksiana |
04/18/2017 12:32AM It's not a mud slog and is passable even in relatively low water. There are two small beaver dams to pull over to get to the first portage- probably about 40 rods of travel with some short up and downs. Then a paddle across a beaver pond and through a narrow rock chute that is usually navigable but can be pulled over when the water is very low. Around the corner in a tiny lake to a long (probably about 100 rods) fairly level carry. The first portion is wet in higher water but solid ground. It was difficult due to blow down and high water early last year (on a trip with Ho Ho and David), but it has since been cleared. The trail has easy footing most of the way. Agree with Bill Conner that the creek route from Side to Sarah is the way to go. |
| billconner |
04/17/2017 07:21PMquote dentondoc: "quote Banksiana: "Denton Doc- With higher water levels, I've done that route. Less steep climbing, likely to be in marsh. Kind of a toss up imho. Definitely low road to Sarah though. |
| Ho Ho |
04/17/2017 11:42AM Keep in mind that if you do the Sarah entry point after checking in at Prarie Portage and then loop through to Robinson, you can also exit though the Horse River to Mudro in the BWCA, or via Jackfish Bay to Fall Lake in the BWCA, without needing to paddle back to PP or to Moose Lake by another route. You have flexibility when you exit that you don't have when you start due to the need to check in at the ranger station at the start. Of course, if you exited somewhere besides Moose Lake, you would need an extra vehicle to leave at your exit point, or have an outfitter move it for you during your trip. But it's worth considering - avoids a lot of bigger water paddling back on Basswood. |
| dentondoc |
04/17/2017 10:25AMquote Banksiana: "Denton Doc- By western route out of the no-name lake, do you mean the one that starts in the "thumb" of the no-namer pointing west? My map indicates a marshy area there ... if its anything like the no-namer to Point Lake (south out of that same thumb), NO THANKS. I've had the pleasure of "enjoying" that one (which is apparently no longer maintained). But if it not a mud slog, I'd be game to give it a try. dd |
| Pinetree |
04/17/2017 08:40AMquote ZSO: "Thank all for the advice. I thought that with a RABC I did not have to go into customs at PP. I called a few outfitters and now I understand that I would have to check in at Prairie Portage. You're checking into Quetico park and registering your visit and paying park fees at Prairie Portage. |
| Banksiana |
04/17/2017 07:43AM Denton Doc- Skip the heart attack hill and take the western route out of the no-name lake after Isabella. Much less stress (especially as a triple portage). It is a much easier route into Side. |
| QueticoMike |
04/17/2017 06:54AM I have always used Williams and Hall for tows to PP. Great outfit there! |
| GraniteCliffs |
04/16/2017 09:28PM I like the idea of a tow to PP and then on to Sarah. If you come back via Kett Lake you also have the potential advantage of prevailing west winds when you are on Basswood. Or you can always cut back up to North Bay if you want to stay off Basswood. |
| dentondoc |
04/16/2017 07:44PM What Ho Ho said! I'm doing the route with a Sarah permit starting in early June. My only variation is that we're getting a tow to Lincoln Island BOTH WAYS (via Canadian Border Outfitters). We'll paddle through Basswood and probably stop for the 1st day on Isabella ... stopping early to enjoy a first night dinner of steaks plus trimmings. Day 2 we will trek from Isabella to Sarah (and try to enjoy the climb up and over cardiac hill on the way into Side). Depending on the fishing on Sarah, we may or may not make the trip up to McIntyre (or beyond) before heading over to Robinson. In any case, we'll do the Kett portages coming out and head back to Lincoln Island for a pick-up. Since we have 2 weeks, this is essentially a base-camping trip with 2-3 base camps. We paddle solo, we're both above 70, we'll probably TRIPLE portage ... we are old enough to enjoy the experience without having to making lots of miles. We've traveled this area on multiple occasions, so we are revisiting "old friends" in some of theses lakes. But if you need some recent intel about the area after I get back, shoot me a message. (I'll have about 2 weeks before I head out for my next adventure.) dd |
| billconner |
04/16/2017 06:01PM Compared to Cirrus, Beaverhouse, Quetico, etc - maybe a twitch busier, but probably not more than a couple of groups seen per day. I use to tow with CCO and recommend them, but I've become a no-tow advocate, knowing if weather is awful I can get a last minute tow from CCO. If heading a long ways from PP, I'll head up Moose to border the day before on a BWCA permit - I've always found sites near PP. And then paddle Basswood. I have done PP to Ranger Bay or Basswood Falls several times and always a great and memorable day. |
| ZSO |
04/16/2017 05:52PM Thank all for the advice. I thought that with a RABC I did not have to go into customs at PP. I called a few outfitters and now I understand that I would have to check in at Prairie Portage. I have to rethink this then. My original intent was to spend 7 days in Quetico. Going into Basswood falls, Robinson and McIntyre lake made the trip loop easy. Paddling southeast from mid point to PP even with NW winds looks easy. I am in my mid 60's and I have "done that". And the reason for the tow. |
| Ho Ho |
04/16/2017 04:34PM That is a great trip. Here are a few thoughts - Most of the area in the interior of Quetico you are thinking of is not busy in my experience, even in peak season. That includes popular lakes like Robinson, McIntyre, and Sarah. The one area that is busy is along the Basswood River leading from Basswood into Crooked and then up to the Tuck River where you head toward Robinson. This area is busier because it's along the border and there is a lot of BWCA usage. Of course, the BWCA travelers have to camp on the US side, but there actually aren't a ton of great Canadian sites in this stretch. (But there are several good Canadian sites in Moose Bay of Crooked where the Tuck River route to Robinson begins.). I think the Basswood River with its falls and the lower part of Crooked are very scenic, and if you have never been there you should include it on your route. But since you can also visit the area on a BWCA trip, I like an alternative route in this area for a Quetico trip when it works out. An alternative for traveling between Robinson and Basswood exists by going over Kett Lake (which also has some good camping). There is a fair amount of portaging on this route, but there is on the Basswood River too - although the river portages are much less rugged IMO. Anyway, if it were me doing this loop, I'd go over Kett. But if you want to do that, then I'd do the route in reverse, start with a Sarah Lake entry permit and loop from there via McIntyre to Robinson and out via Kett. The reason you should do that is that technically with an EP 51 permit you are required to go down the Basswood River and can't cut through Kett. I only know that because a ranger told me so last year at Prairie Portage when I wanted to start with permit 51 going through Kett. Of course you can cheat and go through Kett anyway (I'm taking the Fifth about whether I did that), but if you're doing the loop through Sarah, why not just start there instead? Another advantage of starting at Sarah is that the tow works out better. I recommend a tow from LaTourelles up the Moose Chain through the BWCA to Prairie Portage to start your trip, which costs about $25/person. You can paddle it instead - it's 7 miles and takes about 2 hours. Then you head toward Sarah if that's your permit. But if you have an EP 51 permit, you'd probably want a tow beyond PP to Lincoln Island (as the others have already said), and that is much more $$$ - about three times as much. Whereas if you exit from Robinson over Kett into Basswood, you can go back to Moose Lake landing via Wind Bay and Wind Lake in the BWCA and avoid the expensive tow. (You can't go that way on the way in because you have to stop at the ranger station at Prairie Portage when you enter, but not when you exit.) So those are some thoughts about what permit to get and the basic direction of the trip you were already thinking of. It's a great area, and much more info is available if you like once you decide whether you will start at 51 or Sarah. |
| GraniteCliffs |
04/16/2017 08:35AM The area you are considering is a beautiful area. I would caution you that it can be a busy area in August. At least busy by Quetico standards. It is more the luck of the draw. Some trips in August it feels crowded and others it is pretty quiet. Just a couple of years ago we went up to Sarah on our first day and the first four campsites were taken, much to our dismay since we were tired. Last year we saw three groups on the portage into Sarah. Other trips not so much. Have fun! |
| marsonite |
04/16/2017 08:14AMquote old_salt: "I would use LaTourells and go to Back bay to Pipestone portage. Doing this portage will reduce the effects of headwinds as you travel. It could be busy, but it's a very nice trip." I've done that on an exit from the Q, and agree it is nice. But if they go in that way, they'll have to get to the Quetico the same day. Might be difficult if the wind is up. Another option if the wind is bad is to pull into Big Merriam bay. It's really nice in there, and quiet. Then you can take an easy portage to the main body of Basswood. |
| old_salt |
04/16/2017 08:08AM I would use LaTourells and go to Back bay to Pipestone portage. Doing this portage will reduce the effects of headwinds as you travel. It could be busy, but it's a very nice trip. |
| marsonite |
04/16/2017 07:53AM My favourite area of the Quetico! I've never seen Robinson--Macintyre-Sarah busy. Last trip up there I went in through Kett, then Tuck-Macintyre-Brent. We saw one group on Mac and one group on Brent. That was in August. Several years ago, we entered on Sarah and went to Mac and then to Ted. That time we saw two groups on Sarah,and one on the portage to Ted, and that was it. In 2012 on a June trip, I came down from Conmee to Robinson and I actually didn't see a soul until I was on Basswood. As you get closer to PP you will see more. A surprising (to me) number of people base camp relatively close to Prairie. Of course there is always luck involved when it comes to meeting or not meeting other people. You will be wanting a tow to Washington island. Latourelles has always provided me with good service. There are other good outfitters. I really think all of the outfitters are pretty good. Another exit option from that part of the Quetico, assuming you are entering on Moose Lake, is to paddle down Basswood and into Wind Bay and then into Wind Lake and over to Moose. I'm personally not a fan of tows, especially at the end of a trip. Getting yourself in and getting yourself out is part of the experience. But that's just a personal preference. |
| ZSO |
04/16/2017 07:14AM Hi I had done Quetico from the north several times but never start from Ely. I am planning a trip in late August. I would like to start at Basswood lake entry 51. Then up into Robinson lake, McIntyre, Sarah and ending at Prairie portage. Is this area busy in August? I would like to find a tow to basswood entry and from prairie portage. Can anyone recommend outfitters? |
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