Good morning all,

We'll be heading up in one week to put in on Snowbank and head northeast to Thomas. I know there are basically two routing options (thru Boot or thru Disappointment).

I've read that most folks go thru Disappointment to get off of (windy) Snowbank and that makes sense to me as we'll be paddling straight from the put in (no shuttle); however, paddle plan lists the Boot Lake route as quicker.

The nice thing is that neither route has any long portages, but I've never been to the area so I'm not familiar with the quality of the portages and (in northern Illinois) we've had some heavy rain storms lately.

Which route would you take next week?

Based on the group's capabilities, I think we should be able to make Thomas in one day since we'll be starting early. The only variable is weather and staying on course (finding portages easily).

Are there portages that are really difficult to find?

Really appreciate any advice as I'm taking two canoe trip rookies and every 15 minutes will count on the paddle in.

Cheers,
DD

The only difficult one to locate is Ima to Hatchet. I can send you coordinates of the location if you like. Actually, I can send you all of the portage coordinates if you like. It takes me 8 hours to reach Thomas without a tow across Snowbank with no wind. I usually have to double portage. I go through disappointment.

Thanks Walllee. Fortunately, throughout all my trips, I've never gone off course toward a false portage, but there is a first time for everything. If we don't make it all the way there in one day, that's fine, but I'd like to give ourselves a good chance, especially because we're hoping to single portage.

I appreciate the offer on the coordinates. If the portages aren't especially tough to find, I think we should be ok to navigate with our maps. Also, we'll be going in on a Saturday so (for better or worse), I'm guessing we'll run into folks that can give some guidance.

The path I have always taken and it is good if you get an early start coming and going. Is through Disappointment, Ahsub, Jitterbug, Adventure, Jordan, Ima, Hatchett, Hatchett River and then Thomas. Lots of small lakes with short portages. Snowbank and Ima are the worries for wind both coming and going. Portages are easy to find this route too.

Island campsite on Thomas is cool too!!

Bruce

The path I have always taken and it is good if you get an early start coming and going. Is through Disappointment, Ahsub, Jitterbug, Adventure, Jordan, Ima, Hatchett, Hatchett River and then Thomas. Lots of small lakes with short portages. Snowbank and Ima are the worries for wind both coming and going. Portages are easy to find this route too.

Island campsite on Thomas is cool too!!

Bruce

I think it's mostly a coin toss re: which route to take. If you do head in via Disappointment, I'd recommend the one long portage instead of the two shorter ones through Parent, though if you get a decent wind out of the NW, it can get a little hairy crossing the open water to the longer portage.

Re: the portage out of Ima: I don't think wallee's suggestion had to do with taking a potential wrong turn. In my experience, the portage out of Ima is just hard to see from the water. Just do normal portage-finding techniques (like "missing" purposefully a ways north/south of the portage, and then making your way the correct direction) and you'll be fine.

Last Spring we took the northern route through Boot since Snowbank was like glass the morning we entered. We exited the southern route through Disappointment. We enjoyed seeing two different areas and getting to paddle across Snowbank. It was very similar time wise. Don't remember having an issues finding portages along the way. If Snowbank is calm the morning you enter I say go North on your way in and south on way out.


Here are a few thoughts on each area.

Northern Route:
- More solitude throughout the travel day.
- The portage from Boot into Abinodji Lake is pretty tough.

Southern route
- Very busy
- Adventure Lake and Ahsub Lake are really beautiful.

Couple years ago I took two groups of Scouts up on a loop going in opposite directions, both starting on Snowbank. The lake was perfect when we all paddled in our first morning. The day both groups exited, however, it was later in the afternoon and by then it was warm and breezy and a difficult paddle to get back to the EP. The other group wasn't as good about trimming the canoes and so had an even harder time paddling into the wind.

Given this experience, in the future should I come back to Snowbank for a loop I might plan the more southern route thru Parent for my exit day.

I've done that route all three ways in recent years (Boot, direct to Disappointment, Disappointment via Parent). Snowbank generally rewards an early start, whichever route you choose.

If you go through Disappointment, generally easier to take the long portage rather than going through Parent. Plus, last October there was a big tree down across the Parent-to-Disappointment portage which was kind of a pain to maneuver. Maybe it's cleared now.

I agree with Wallee that the Ima-to-Hatchet portage can be hard to find. I usually steer intentionally right of where I think it is, then cruise along the shore until I see a slot in the cliffs/rocks that marks the portage. No evident landing there. It's kind of a fun little portage.

Snowbank-to-Thomas is a long day with lots of portages that aren't individually difficult but are collectively a lot of work. The route you're planning is quite popular, so if the going is slower than expected (due to Rookies) you might want to opt for locating a campsite on Ima rather than getting to Thomas late in the day when lots of sites will already be claimed.

Good advice all around guys. Much appreciated.

I agree that, even with perfect weather, Thomas might be ambitious with new guys in the crew. Also, considering the shuttle from the outfitter, we probably won't be on the water until 10 am anyways. Ima might turn into the more realistic destination.

Thanks again.

There are some nice campsites on Jordan which should be reachable for your group.... Notably there's a northern site with a nice sandy beach and a southern one that is secluded. We took the southern site with the Scouts, it fit 3 tents and 7 people OK. Wouldn't mind longer than a night at that campsite in the future.

Thanks mirth,

I got my feet wet in the boundary waters as a scout over 20 years ago...never looked back. A big high five to you for taking those kids out there to get the experience. Truly a trip they'll remember and can be proud of for their whole life.

I've never been to this part of BW so all the lakes are new to me. I like everything I've heard and read about Jordan. Most of the guys in my crew want to focus on walleye, pike and lake trout fishing and we'll be base camping so our ultimate destination is Thomas/Fraser.

That being said, we always have a rookie or two on our trips and "Plan B" often gets called into duty. Depending on our progress and site availability, Jordan seems like a very acceptable Plan B.

quote doubledown: "Thanks mirth,


I got my feet wet in the boundary waters as a scout over 20 years ago...never looked back. A big high five to you for taking those kids out there to get the experience. Truly a trip they'll remember and can be proud of for their whole life.


I've never been to this part of BW so all the lakes are new to me. I like everything I've heard and read about Jordan. Most of the guys in my crew want to focus on walleye, pike and lake trout fishing and we'll be base camping so our ultimate destination is Thomas/Fraser.


That being said, we always have a rookie or two on our trips and "Plan B" often gets called into duty. Depending on our progress and site availability, Jordan seems like a very acceptable Plan B. "

If you need some guidance on some fishing spots, both Lakers and Walleyes let me know. I might be able to save you some search time.

Doubledown - In early June, we did a loop Starting at Snowbank and traveling through Boot, Ensign, Vera, Knife, Kekekabic, Fraser, Thomas, Ima, Disappointment... I didn't list all the lakes, but you get the idea :-)
You have already, received lots of good advice. Wind really gave us problems on our first day while trying to make it to Ensign, via Boot.
Here is a slide show I put together... lots of maps and campsite pictures to give you an idea what the area is like.
Slide Show - Snowbank Loop

Pretty much what everyone else says. Except I'd add that you should be fluid with your plan- just use the wind as your guide.

Windy? Parent
Not too bad? Disappointment.
Glass? Maybe boot. Just keep in mind snowbank is BIG water and the middle is always worse than you think.

quote ghamer: "Doubledown - In early June, we did a loop Starting at Snowbank and traveling through Boot, Ensign, Vera, Knife, Kekekabic, Fraser, Thomas, Ima, Disappointment... I didn't list all the lakes, but you get the idea :-)
You have already, received lots of good advice. Wind really gave us problems on our first day while trying to make it to Ensign, via Boot.
Here is a slide show I put together... lots of maps and campsite pictures to give you an idea what the area is like.
Slide Show - Snowbank Loop "

Thanks ghamer...at work right now so I was only able to watch the first few minutes. Going to check out the whole video tonight.

quote Grizzlyman: "Pretty much what everyone else says. Except I'd add that you should be fluid with your plan- just use the wind as your guide.


Windy? Parent
Not too bad? Disappointment.
Glass? Maybe boot. Just keep in mind snowbank is BIG water and the middle is always worse than you think. "

I hear you loud and clear on that...we're hoping to be on the water by 9 am so hopefully Snowbank is calm enough for us to go straight to Disappointment. We've got two b'dub rookies who have never done a portage in their life. That fact coupled with the wind potential on Snowbank make me lean toward the Disappointment route. I've heard the portaging is fairly well-traveled there.

Thanks for the advice!

That Island campsite on Thomas extreme east side near the Portage it was full of mice last fall second week of September. And I made hundreds of mice.

I went with a 3 rookies and double portaged though the disappointment route. We travelled from 9am to 6pm and made it fine. Even took a break at points for lunch. We were all 20s aged guys though

Hello Walllee. I am doing my first BWCAW trip starting on Aug 30. My EP is Snowbank, and I plan to head north then loop East and back South through Four to One. I am going solo and planning 7 or 8 days based on weather and camp sights. I see that you offered coordinates to another poster for the loop I mentioned. Would you be willing to share those with me? I would like to have a backup to my map and compass (rusty) skills. I am a river tripper and backpacker, and this will be my first experience navigating a lake environment. I appreciate your consideration, and any advice/ insight you would like to offer.

Paddle4Hike

quote Paddle4Hike: "Hello Walllee. I am doing my first BWCAW trip starting on Aug 30. My EP is Snowbank, and I plan to head north then loop East and back South through Four to One. I am going solo and planning 7 or 8 days based on weather and camp sights. I see that you offered coordinates to another poster for the loop I mentioned. Would you be willing to share those with me? I would like to have a backup to my map and compass (rusty) skills. I am a river tripper and backpacker, and this will be my first experience navigating a lake environment. I appreciate your consideration, and any advice/ insight you would like to offer.


Paddle4Hike
"

I would be happy to share all my coordinates with you. I am actually heading into Snowbank this morning. I will e mail you all the info in the next couple days when I get out of the woods.

I need a e-mail address

Too late for the OP, but I just did these routes in early July.

I don't think I'd ever go Boot again. We went that route on the way up. We were on the water by 7:15. There are too many tiny paddles to get to the next portgage, and you never get into a stride. It felt like one constant portage for hours, some of which were very narrow, wet, muddy and buggy. If you are looking at the PP maps, there are actually 2 portages out of Snowbank into Boot, not 1. The northern route that looks like 1 portage must be gone. There is also a short lift-over one from Boot to Swift that doesn't show at all. The Swift into Abinodji portage is brutal, and the Abinodji to Swing isn't much fun either. By the time we got to Ima it was almost 5:00, and we were beat.

To be fair, we weren't as efficient as we should have been on the portages, and could have packed more efficiently as well. We ended up stopping on Ima and took a day trip up to Thomas / Fraser. Total portages to Thomas via the Boot Route is 14 i think. To contrast that, the route through Disappointment was much easier, and only 11 portages with nothing nearly as hard as the Abinodji portage. We left Ima at 9:30 and were on the road back to Ely by 3:00.

quote doubledown: "Good morning all,

We'll be heading up in one week to put in on Snowbank and head northeast to Thomas. I know there are basically two routing options (thru Boot or thru Disappointment).

I've read that most folks go thru Disappointment to get off of (windy) Snowbank and that makes sense to me as we'll be paddling straight from the put in (no shuttle); however, paddle plan lists the Boot Lake route as quicker.

The nice thing is that neither route has any long portages, but I've never been to the area so I'm not familiar with the quality of the portages and (in northern Illinois) we've had some heavy rain storms lately.

Which route would you take next week?

Based on the group's capabilities, I think we should be able to make Thomas in one day since we'll be starting early. The only variable is weather and staying on course (finding portages easily).

Are there portages that are really difficult to find?

Really appreciate any advice as I'm taking two canoe trip rookies and every 15 minutes will count on the paddle in.

Cheers,
DD

"