The details: I only have 4 nights. I'd like to stay on small water to avoid getting windbound or having major issues on the water. It's my first ever solo. It will be right around the July 4 holiday this summer. My goals are basically just to get away from everything, enjoy nature, and do some fishing.

The plan: Entry Point 44 (Ram Lake), loop to EP 47 (Lizz).

I will need to be partially outfitted (need a canoe and a couple other things, that's about it). So I was thinking stay at Rockwoods, have them drive me to EP 44 in the morning and set sail.

So here's what I was thinking. Especially if you're an experienced soloist, or if you've traveled this area before, let me know if you see anything crazy...I will likely be double portaging.

84 rods to Ram Lake
51 to Kroft
42 to Rum
48 to Little Trout < NIGHT 1 on Little Trout
248 to Misquah
56 to Vista
31 to Horseshoe < NIGHT 2 on Horseshoe
98 to Gaskin
91 to Henson < NIGHT 3 on Henson
51 to Pillsbury
89 to Swallow
104 to Meeds < NIGHT 4 on Meeds
26 & 13 to Caribou
68 to Lizz
46 to Poplar
OUT

Any info about the area is appreciated...cool things to see along the route, etc.

Treehorn-

I've done a lot of solos (I double portage too) and been over most of that route and the surrounding area, except for the Ram to Little Trout portion. We did a very similar trip last fall, entering at Lizz, going down to Vista, then Gaskin, then Meeds, and out to Poplar.

Trip report

There's nothing really crazy about your plan - no big-mileage, long travel days. You'll have a nice relaxed trip with a few hours travel per day and see some pretty nice country.

We did paddle across Misquah and walk the portage to Little Trout in the afternoon. That will be your toughest one - It's fairly long with a fair amount of elevation gain and loss and gain and loss. There's a bit of a climb on the Horseshoe to Gaskin portage and a couple of the ones between Misquah and Horseshoe have rocky landings, but otherwise nothing difficult.

We went out by way of the Meeds portage instead of the way you are going (Lizz) and went from Gaskin to Allen instead of Henson.

One thing you need to know and need to remember - I knew, but didn't remember it and we dithered away time and energy as a consequence. The portage from Pillsbery to Swallow is not where it is shown on the map. It is actually a considerable distance from east of there - in the corner of the bay. Just hug the north shore after you go there the "pinch point" until you see it back there.

There are a few pictures in my 2017 album at Shutterfly from that area. When you click on the picture to enlarge it, I think most have captions.

Rockwood bunkhouse is a decent place to stay - basic bunkhouse, but you'll have your own shower and toilet. Dinner at Trail Center just down the road if you get there in time.
I had Rockwood shuttle me to Cross bay one year and just paddled back to their place like you are doing - very convenient.

I f you have any other questions, just ask.

Good point about that portage boonie. We looked for it a little before I decided it was mismarked. Just paddle east, make the bend left into the bay, portage in the back left corner. Those portages are narrow and very overgrown all the way to Meeds. Meeds is a great lake with only 3 sites. Be prepared to head to Caribou if Meeds is full. It will be quick and easy if needed......enter west end, check west site, check west island site, check east island site, head for Caribou if needed. The west site is not used much but isnt bad. West island site is neat but very closed off from breezes or lake views. East island site is the one most people choose.
I was not impressed with sites on Henson.....maybe I didnt look close enough. There are some very good sites on Gaskin. The far SW site is great.(not the burned peninsula one that is now closed) May consider that over Henson.

Around the 4th of July you will be traveling from a pretty quiet unpopulated area (Ram to Vista) into a very busy area (rest of the route). The last few days you will need to travel early and reach your destination lake early to find a campsite open. That will not be hard with yout planned itinerary. I'm not saying it is crowded, but you will be seeing folks regularly on the water and the portages. Lots of folks like to travel into Horseshoe and base camp, doing day trips in all the directions. Expect open campsites to be few there.

If its been wet that Little Trout to Misquah portage can rough. Give yourself a lot of time for that one.

Looks like a great plan to me :). I also have been everywhere but Ram to Misquah on your route. Probably the only thing I would do differently if I was doing your trip is I would stay on Omega night 3 but that's because I haven't been to Omega for 10 years and it's my favorite lake. As cowdoc mentioned.... Gaskin has many nice sites.

A nice thing about the area/route you have planned is it's very easy to adjust on the fly because of how many different directions you can go. It's a great route for someone looking for small water.

I echo what cowdoc and boonie said about the portage from Pillsbury.

Rockwood Outfitters are great to work with. 2 years ago for my early May/prefishing opener solo I had them drop me off at Morgan/left my van at their place/and paddled out through Lizz and back to Rockwood. I only had 3 nights.

Thanks everybody, you guys are awesome!

Enjoy your trip, let us know how it goes.