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Date/Time: 03/28/2024 04:33AM
Sarah Entry Point Suggestions

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Previous Messages:
Author Message Text
Frenchy19 08/13/2017 04:34PM
Banks-Agree with all you said. Lazy, self centered dolts-and gross and uncouth to boot.
Banksiana 08/13/2017 11:51AM
The current Quetico rule is to burn tp or pack it out. Judging from my recent experience in the park it is not a rule that folks are following. Critters dig up your "leavings", if you were too lazy (or embarrassed, shamed to be a creature that poops- I have no idea) to burn or pack out your tp it is left behind for all to see. What amazes me is people that are so freaked out by the wilds or lazy that they can't even leave the camp area to do their business. There was a camp on Sarah that had TP blossoms on the secondary tent sites, close to the water and within 30 yards of the fire pit. Idiots and self-centered morons.
Frenchy19 08/13/2017 09:57AM
quote billconner: "quote Frenchy19: "quote flopnfolds: "Hi Mark,what route did you choose and how did it go?"
Literally just got out...at the Adventure Inn. Nice trip! Wandered up to Sarah (a couple challenging portages!) and spent last night on Burke on a really nice small island site. We did pack out a couple grill grates and a 14 inch frying pan from Burke, but otherwise, it was a great trip. Thanks for asking!"




12X? One of my favorites..."



148. Very nice, but on the far east edge of the small island, the place was littered with toilet paper. Had to be at least a couple dozen "piles" of tp. Gross, rude and lazy!!
billconner 08/11/2017 01:27PM
quote Frenchy19: "quote flopnfolds: "Hi Mark,what route did you choose and how did it go?"
Literally just got out...at the Adventure Inn. Nice trip! Wandered up to Sarah (a couple challenging portages!) and spent last night on Burke on a really nice small island site. We did pack out a couple grill grates and a 14 inch frying pan from Burke, but otherwise, it was a great trip. Thanks for asking!"



12X? One of my favorites...
flopnfolds 08/11/2017 08:08AM
Great. Glad it was a good trip. UMA Sarah is going to be sending you an email next week asking for route advice!


Look for us on the road, all of us (including Alden) are heading in for his first BWCA trip today!
Frenchy19 08/10/2017 03:31PM
quote flopnfolds: "Hi Mark,what route did you choose and how did it go?"
Literally just got out...at the Adventure Inn. Nice trip! Wandered up to Sarah (a couple challenging portages!) and spent last night on Burke on a really nice small island site. We did pack out a couple grill grates and a 14 inch frying pan from Burke, but otherwise, it was a great trip. Thanks for asking!
flopnfolds 08/08/2017 09:02PM
Hi Mark,what route did you choose and how did it go?
cburton103 07/10/2017 10:26PM
I don't know that I've heard this route mentioned before, but I really enjoyed Robinson Lake on my trip last month. Maybe do a loop up the Tuck River to Robinson, up to McIntyre/Sarah, out through North Bay and Burke. Should have plenty of time to stop and smell the roses. A good variety of popular areas and seclusion.
Frenchy19 07/09/2017 02:49PM
Continued thanks to all chiming in! Keep the ideas coming!!
Mags Waechter 07/09/2017 10:54AM
I agree sounds a bit aggressive. last year went from north bay to Sarah and took me and my sister and her teenagers all day. With the wind storm last year lots blowdown and recutting in places which made it awkward. We were double portaging though. we went down the creek from side to Sarah and not over the hill...it's in and out three times but avoids heart attack hill.
from Sarah to there is lovely route via tuck River.
the portage south end of kash is nasty... Got going in wrong direction years ago and ended up waist deep in mud. water so high this year you may be able to paddle part of the swamp the Beavers have made at south end of kash...


almost killed by 75 yr old dad on the McNiece portage two years ago... It was overrun, could not see where putting feet, waist deep in swamps at times and trees down man handling canoe over. iF the portage can has not been through lately it will only be worse.... We did it at end of hot long day and was pouring whiskey down him to revive him and had to leave him propped on rock and take his packs too across. Took hrs and my dad is one fit senior walking 100s mile treks every year.
we came back by Yum yum and though tough and took two hrs in the pouring rain it was much much better than mcniece.... From kash to Agnus will be a tough trek in one day... Eek.
I just did the meadows port ages in solo trip out of Agnus two weeks ago and very wet mucky creek running down them as wet spring and summer but quite doable. Came in via meadows out via east lake and east lake route was easy and nice. Hope that helps! mags Waechter
golanibutch 07/08/2017 12:13PM
My wife likes to move every day. I like to sit and fish. We did a basswood river entry and headed up through to Sarah. Great island site on Sarah with tons of blueberries. Bring syrup! Lot sense of options depending on weather and whatever. That's what I like about tripping. Plenty of options from there. We take the tow to pp and make good time on day 1 for what it's worth. Going to start in atikokan with her this September and make our way to pp. will be shopping for ideas mused shortly!


Have fun.


Butch
Frenchy19 07/04/2017 11:46AM
Banks-Thanks so much for the email! Showed your suggested route to Deb, and she likes it. I tend to push too hard, and the older I get, the more I need to slow down some. Really looking forward to this trip!
Frenchy19 07/03/2017 06:49PM
Thanks, all. Original route, I believe, is more than I want for this trip. May end up hanging around Sarah for a couple days and than taking a leisurely route back. It is hard for me to spend more than one night in a spot unless I have to, and while Deb does not want to base camp, she also does not want to return home needing a break post trip.
TomT 07/03/2017 04:26PM
The route from McIntyre through Paulene east to Marj and Joyce to Kahsh is pretty tough. The last portage out of Joyce kicked my butt. There's nice spots to camp on Marj or Joyce if you go that route.




Banksiana 07/03/2017 09:08AM
Not all the portages are on the Fisher or McKenzies- Chrismar map offers best intel for that. Exiting Kahshahpiwi via McNiece or YumYum rather than crossing over to Agnes might buy a little time and the route to North Bay via these little lakes is both beautiful and challenging.
Frenchy19 07/03/2017 08:42AM
Banksiana-Some solid advice, and I appreciate that. I like the idea of "relaxing" a bit more during the "destination" days. Time to get out the Fisher Maps and take a closer look at routes-original poke around was on the Chrismar.
Banksiana 07/02/2017 07:50PM
Assuming your numbered points represent your daily travel plans...


Day 1 PP to North Bay is about three hours travel time in ok conditions double portaging.


Day 2 North Bay to McIntyre I'd guess around six hours but fairly grueling in terms of portages.


Day 3. McIntyre to Kahshahpiwi also about six hours and also fairly grueling portaging. One suggestion would be to skip McIntyre, hit Sarah for day two and take the little used route out of the north end of Sarah through Irene (not named on all the maps) into Kahshapiwi. Beautiful route, Irene is a lake worthy of camping on (if you camped on Isabella on night one Irene is within reach for night two). Some of the tallest white pines I've seen anywhere are near the portages between Irene and Kahshahpiwi.


Day 4 Kahshahpiwi to Agnes. These are some rugged portages between Kahsh and Silence.


Day 5 Agnes to Sunday. Easy. Two relatively long portages that are close together. They are well traveled and easy to follow. Lots of camps on Sunday. Going through Poacher and camping there for the last night is a nice option, usually have the lake to yourself and take Bayley Bay out of the equation.


Sunday to Moose Lake. Easy but busy. Usually takes about two hours to paddle the Moose chain from Prairie. If you opt for a tow cell service can be achieved in Bayley bay but rarely at Prairie.


I would consider making my first and last days more challenging and have easier days when in the more remote segments of your trip. McIntyre, Kahshahpiwi, Irene, Sarah are beautiful lakes; nice to have easy days and poke around with an empty canoe.
billconner 07/02/2017 07:36PM
It seems slightly aggressive for me, but Isabella or maybe Side, Sarah pushing it, is my first day going to Sarah. I made Brent on second night. So maybe not too far off.


I don't know the route across from Mac to Kashapiwi. From middle of Kashapiwi to mid S-Chain or Agnes was a day. I really liked the Trant route but have done both McNiece and YumYum are, all good.


Do stop at Louisa Falls for a dip in the Devil's Bathtub.


The Meadows portages are not bad. I have done Agnes to Burke for last night several times. If wind is high, the Poacher portages could make sense instead if Bayley.


I just convinced myself it's not too agressive.


My favorite part is the Isabella River.


Best wishes!
Frenchy19 07/02/2017 07:06PM
Thanks, TomT!
TomT 07/02/2017 06:38PM
That route is pretty rugged getting to McIntyre. Then you may deal with headwinds on Agnes before tackling the rocky Meadows lk. portages. A friendlier route might be North Bay then east through the "S" chain to Agnes. Take some time to layover a bit. Just my 2 cents.

Another route might be S chain to McNiece to Kahsh then down through Side lk. and out.
Frenchy19 07/02/2017 05:48PM
Posted the below in another forum here. Hope to get some input, and thanks in advance for any suggestions.

My wife and I will be heading into Q via Sarah in Early August. She has not been on a paddling overnight for a good 10 years, and I want this to be a pleasurable experience for her. She is a strong paddler, and will also probably kick my butt on the portages. This area is new for me as well, and I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a 6 day trip. Would prefer a loop, we do not want to base camp, and fishing is not a priority. I have a route in mind as follows:

1. PP to North Bay
2. North Bay to McIntrye
3. McIntrye to Kahshapiwi
4. Kahsapiwi to Agnes
5. Agnes to Sunday
6. Sunday to Moose Lake

The above loop has more portages than I would like for a trip with my wife, so any feedback/ideas are greatly appreciated.