BWCA Outfitters for Mudro Entry? Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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flynn
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11/09/2018 01:43PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I'd love to do a Mudro entry trip with a loop up the Horse River to LBF, Crooked, down to Moosecamp and back out through Mudro. Thing is, I don't have a canoe so my friends and I will need to rent one, and we also like to drive up on Friday after work, stay overnight, then get up early and get in. One thing that is important to me is the ability to take a shower before heading on the long drive home. Are there any outfitters that would be a good choice for this route, that have a bunkhouse we can get to at 10-11pm, will drive us to the Mudro entry with a rented canoe, pick us up, and let us take a shower before we drive home?

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!
 
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HowardSprague
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11/09/2018 02:58PM  
Voyageur North. Let them know how late you're likely to arrive. Their bunkhouse is great, they have showers in the back of the store for post-trip, and they will shuttle you to the EP for a fee. Oh, ...and they're nice people.
Saberboys
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11/09/2018 03:31PM  
I'll second V-North. Great people and service and they have a low cost bunkhouse for the night.
11/09/2018 05:15PM  
3rd for Voyageur North, however Fenske Lake / Echo Trail Outfitters is literally at the end of the Mudro Lake access road, and also have bunkhouses. They opened early one September morning several years ago for us to get our canoe and permit when we wanted, versus waiting for their usual 9AM open.
cyclones30
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11/09/2018 08:29PM  
4th vote for V North here. Used all those services in the past you named
schweady
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11/09/2018 08:55PM  
VNO vote count: 5.

Their advertised summer hours are 5 am - 10 pm, but Lynn is known to often be in the office long past closing. Very accommodating folks if they're aware of you needs ahead of time. Great bunkhouses, variety of rental options, transport to EP. When you get back, kibitz about your trip, show off your fish pictures, take a hot shower, and enjoy a Hamm's.
mjmkjun
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11/09/2018 09:49PM  
Voyageur North. Just plain nice folks. Moosecamp River is a very nice, relaxing paddle to Fourtown.
Chuckles
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11/10/2018 09:55AM  
We did an almost identical trip last October with Ely Outfitting Company. We've done three trips with them and they've been great. This year we needed a tow and Ely Outfitter's end up hiring VNO for one leg. It was a very limited interaction, but VNO were seemed good too.
Dodger
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11/11/2018 08:29AM  
Packsack canoe trips are in Winton just a short distance from Ely. They have a bunkhouse. They would probably take your group to Mudro and pick you up at the end of your trip.
Super nice folks. Give Nick and Danielle a call.

Dodger.
RetiredDave
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11/11/2018 07:30PM  
I used Voyager North a year ago for a Mudro entry (I've used them for years). They will provide cushions and straps so you can carry the canoe on your own car to the entry if you want that option. They are really nice, accommodating people, and the bunkhouse is clean, the showers hot.

Dave
Atrain
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11/13/2018 12:19PM  
7th for VNO. They are excellent. John and Lynn will take care of you.
flynn
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11/14/2018 10:58AM  
Well dang! I didn't expect such an overwhelming consensus! Sounds like I will be giving VNO a call. Thinking about it, driving to the entry with the canoe on top of the car (hopefully can take a friend's SUV) sounds even better because we don't have to worry about a pickup time on the last day, and we can save money on the transport cost too. Might have to do that! Thanks for the help everyone!
11/14/2018 12:18PM  
If your friend's SUV doesn't work out have no fear of transporting the canoe on your car. VNO will lend you everything you need to attach and transport.
flynn
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11/14/2018 01:25PM  
mirth: "If your friend's SUV doesn't work out have no fear of transporting the canoe on your car. VNO will lend you everything you need to attach and transport."


I've seen foam blocks before and they don't exactly look fun to use. I can see them sliding around when trying to get the canoe in the right place on the roof. I haven't tried to use them before though so maybe they're less frustrating than I think! Even then, I don't want to drive my hatchback with a 19 foot canoe on the roof. :) I'm sure I could make it work though... just barely...
11/14/2018 04:32PM  
What works well is to put the canoe down on the ground next to the car so you can get a sense of where the blocks should be, then put them on. They'll stay on the gunwales for the next step. Then it's a simple matter of a two person lift, flip, and place on roof. Yea, a SUV with a nice long flat roof or even better a rack with cross bars, but I've had good luck with blocks on my Prius. Plus, then you can get a picture of your car with a canoe on it! =)
RetiredDave
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11/15/2018 08:40PM  
I've used the VNO supplied foam blocks and straps twice now on my Honda Civic and have had no problems. Very tight and secure.

Dave
11/22/2018 07:30AM  
Voyaguer North for sure!
We came out super late this past August and as I sped into the parking lot and was on my way to the door (10:15pm) I saw one of the guys lock it and turn away. I rapped on the door and he turned around and let us in. We talked with Lynn a bit and explained our situation. (no campsites available on way out) She had a room available and offered us a beer! I was so relieved to not have to search elsewheres. Also the guys unloaded the rental canoe and everything with smiles on their faces like they hadn't been working for 12 hours already!
I am going back in 2019 and will be using them again!
11/22/2018 07:34AM  
flynn: "I'd love to do a Mudro entry trip with a loop up the Horse River to LBF, Crooked, down to Moosecamp and back out through Mudro. Thing is, I don't have a canoe so my friends and I will need to rent one, and we also like to drive up on Friday after work, stay overnight, then get up early and get in. One thing that is important to me is the ability to take a shower before heading on the long drive home. Are there any outfitters that would be a good choice for this route, that have a bunkhouse we can get to at 10-11pm, will drive us to the Mudro entry with a rented canoe, pick us up, and let us take a shower before we drive home?

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!"


Flynn,
I did that same route this year. Loved it! Crooked lake is spectacular. I could spend a week just exploring it from the Basswood River to Friday bay.

There is a couple portages along the way that will test your ankles but their magnificence more than makes up for it.

VNO will rent you a room before and after your trip and if you come in super late they will no doubt make special arrangements to have a room or key waiting for you.

Time of year makes a big difference on this trip as it is a very popular route and many of the campsites will be taken. Plan ahead and make sure you have a couple back up sites and don't paddle too far into the afternoon thinking you will find one.

11/23/2018 12:08AM  
Everything stated about VNO is true, but be aware that you still have to pick up your permit and watch the video in the morning before you leave. So plan for it.
Crash in the bunkhouse, get your permit, transport the canoe yourself. Sometime, either before or after going to VNO, go to Britons for breakfast.
VON will also go over your map with you and give great advice.
11/23/2018 12:22AM  
Oh, and using foam blocks to transfer the canoe from Ely to Mudro (and back) is not an issue. It's just local kind of travel. It's not like traveling long distances at highway speeds.
11/23/2018 10:13AM  
Yes, as others have said.... the foam blocks will not be a problem. I used them on a Toyota Corolla back in the day.
VNO is great and open at 5:00am so you can get an early start after your bunkhouse stay if you want. If you want a big breakfast Britons is great! I'm always so anxious and excited to get going though that I just eat something light and quick and get to the EP as early as possible.

I have also heard good things about Echo Trail Outfitters that were mentioned above and they are really close to Mudro..... they are right at the turn off from the Echo Trail and the dirt road (Grassy Lake Road) that you will take to the EP. So, with them you would just have dirt road driving with the canoe on top.

I will add that I haven't done your full route... but the parts I have been on I loved. Especially Moosecamp Lake and then my paddle the next morning in the river to Fourtown.
scramble4a5
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11/24/2018 09:28AM  
I had a canoe on a Nissan Altima with no issues. You're probably a short ride from the EP anyway.
momike
member (19)member
  
11/24/2018 11:32PM  
VNO like all others have stated even though we outfit ourselves. I bought a used Wenonah from VNO and great friendly customer service. Don't worry about the foam blocks, we drove all the way from Kansas City with our canoe strapped to the top of Ford Fusion with no issues.
 
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