We are doing some preliminary exploration of a north to south paddle starting near Atikokan and ending near Ely. Exploring fly-in options to leave a car in Ely to head back to Wisconsin when we come out.

Any sage advice out there on resources for such a fly-in option? Any routes to avoid due to difficult portages, low water, or other issues? Thinking about the 2nd half of August timing wise. All free advice is welcomed!

I did Atikokan to Ely about a dozen years ago. We drove in two cars to Fall Lake east of Ely. Dropped one off, then all piled into the second car and headed to Atikokan. One person in the car drove back to the US.

There are a kazillion routes to take. They are all good, some longer, some shorter. We did it in six days without trouble. If you look for the shortest route, you can get through it all pretty fast. Find something that is more lazy so you can explore more places. You didn’t mention your time allotment.

You need the BWCA permit for entry into the USA, or you can take a day-use permit if you plan to make a beeline for you exit when you hit the US without camping on the US side. Consider this option since it is cheaper and does not require a second advanced permit.

Planning and executing the plan is half the fun of a trip like this. All the logistics.

Tom

Another option to consider is a shuttle from an outfitter. I would imagine such a shuttle would cost $500+, give or take, but is likely to be much cheaper than a fly-in and will get you to a similar starting point.

I haven’t seen any of the northern half of the park yet, but I would consider either the Kahshahpiwi chain or Kawnipi to the Man Chain as the southern portion of your trip. Gets you good fishing for all species and beautiful, long lakes.

We did the Atikokan to Ely trip back in 2010. Still a highlight of my 30+ years of canoe tripping experiences.

Generally stated, we put in on Beaverhouse and paddled southeasterly through the park to Saganagons, then headed southwesterly down the Man Chain to the Moose Chain and out. Our vehicle was waiting for us at the landing next to Latourell's.

I'll try to remember all the lakes, but here are some:
Beaverhouse
Quetico
Jean
Little Jean
Yeh
Lonely
Sturgeon
Russell
Chatterton & Poet's Chain
Kawnipi
Falls Chain
Saganagons
Man Chain
Sheridan
Carp
Birch
Moose Chain to the landing by Latourell's

We did this in eight days single-portaging with two layover days. I would recommend adding at least one more day, if not two (or more, if you like). It's a great route and there are plenty of opportunities for fishing and great scenery.

For our shuttle, we had the benefit of utilizing a relative of a customer of mine who lives in International Falls. The couple rode with us to the Beaverhouse landing, then drove our van back to I-Falls. The next day, one person drove my van with the other following in their car. They parked the van at the landing and it was all ready for us when we arrived. It was perfect, just like the trip.

Thanks for your response. Wow! That is quite the route. We are both around seventy years old but in better than average shape. We have been paddling in and around the Quetico for over forty years. We are thinking at least ten days and maybe more. No need to rush. Would our age suggest any cause for concern in your opinion?

PaddleMeHome: "We are thinking at least ten days and maybe more. No need to rush. Would our age suggest any cause for concern in your opinion?"

As I mentioned, a few extra days would be a nice bonus. And with your ages, it's never a bad thing to slow down a bit and let the trip come to you, in a matter of speaking. Double portage, shorter days, a few more layovers... things like that. One can never have enough days in Quetico.

Our route had a few rough portages. The Yeh-to-Lonely portage is nearly a mile long. Most of it is a decent trail, but the length can get you. We did the Staircase Portage between Sturgeon and Russell. If I was going that way again, I think that I'd paddle Sturgeon Narrows instead. And a couple portages in the Man Chain area are pretty nasty. Every trip has it's challenges and there are several different routes one can take to get from one end to the other.

Do it in under 24 hours? like in the '60s...

TZ

PMH,

I haven't done that trip but have looked into a fly-in deal several times. Most recently 2019. There are no longer any fly-in services based on the US side - just nobody doing it. All the flights come in from Canadian services. Fortunately, this summer I managed a 'fly over' flight of the US side from a private pilot I know out of Moose Lake. He couldn't manage any kind of fly in trip with his plane though.

Now add the Covid cluster-crap to that and I can only imagine what it would take to do a trip starting with a pickup on the US side - IF that could even happen at this point, given the border crossing limitations. There is no clue what is going on with RABC's at this point and doesn't seem hopeful for the 2022 season yet. I agree with the others that at this point, probably best to try the drop off thing after driving over.

Say you could manage all that. One thing to keep in mind is weather. That could drastically impact the plane coming in to pick you up - hours or days delay if it's bad enough. Throw in chance of mechanical issues with a plane as well as weather. You may want to talk to QPP personnel about how that could impact your entry permit if you cannot get in on your given day. Assuming your personal schedule is even that flexible.

I have done Prairie Portage to Sturgeon via Agnes and have also done Kawnipi and Kahshapiwi areas - all great lakes and beautiful areas with great fishing - just not sure what the fire impact has been. Good luck.

pd

I know this isn't what you originally planned but I think it would be easier to enter and exit in Canada logistically. I'm thinking drive to Dawson Trail on French Lake and park the car then hitch a shuttle from an outfitter over to Beaverhouse for your put in.

I would do it this way instead of east to west for 2 reasons - The prevailing winds and also I would rather have my car sitting in the Dawson parking lot or campground instead of the Beaverhouse entry.

Many interesting routes to choose from and you can largely avoid the fire areas this way.

I believe it’s possible to get a float plane entry to Cache Bay coming in from the north. You could then go from South to North. I saw I believe a Canadian YouTube discussion on it from trippers that normally go to Algonquin. They did run into issues starting the trip with the plane not being able to fly and spent a day I think dealing with it. I assume some flexibility exists with the float plane entry’s for safety reasons. You can also float plan in pretty close to Mack lake just outside the park.

The name of the video that talks about it on YouTube
“Quarantine Quetico: The 2020 Mike Wevrick Lecture and Wine and Cheese Social”. It was put on by the Wilderness Canoe Association

Personally I thought the float plane idea was overkill for Quetico. I’ll save that experience for Wabikimi or Woodland Caribou.

I’m leaning towards a North to South to North Loop beginning of July this year. Mainly due to the RABC unknown and whether the Southern entries will be open.

Ryan

This option sounds very interesting. I spoke with Canoe Canada Outfitters about a shuttle. They said Canadian regulations don't allow them to shuttle a customer's canoe on land because they don't have the necessary license (like a taxi license) which means we would have to rent a canoe from them for about $45/day. Total price = $735.

Option #2 - They could fly us to King's Point on Beaverhouse and pick us up at Nym Lake and shuttle us back to our car at their main location. Total cost - $950. We can use our own canoe with this option. Expensive, but maybe a once in a lifetime experience which is kind of what we were looking for when we started exploring this option.

Yeah the flight around the park would be a fun experience. Sounds like a good plan. Route idea could be Beaverhouse through Jean into Burntside. I would layover one or two nights on one of the few really nice sites here. Good fishing also. Then take Jean Creek to Sturgeon. You could make your way north back to Nym from there through Lonely and Walter. Lots of good lakes, fishing and scenery any which way you go.

PaddleMeHome: "Option #2 - They could fly us to King's Point on Beaverhouse and pick us up at Nym Lake and shuttle us back to our car at their main location. Total cost - $950. We can use our own canoe with this option. Expensive, but maybe a once in a lifetime experience which is kind of what we were looking for when we started exploring this option. "

We did a fly-in trip in 2007 (trip report here: ) and feel it was well worth the price. Flying over Canoe Country is magic, and the fly-in option let us see new corners of the Park. Go for it!

TZ

We are still exploring options that would allow us to complete a north to south route that would end up at Moose Lake. We know it is a long shot does anybody know of an individual that would be interested in driving us up to the Atikokan area from Ely? if yes, any suggestions on fair compensation for such a service?

PaddleMeHome: "We are still exploring options that would allow us to complete a north to south route that would end up at Moose Lake. We know it is a long shot does anybody know of an individual that would be interested in driving us up to the Atikokan area from Ely? if yes, any suggestions on fair compensation for such a service?"

Following; we are considering something similar...I would think that fair comp for that service would be several hundred $, perhaps even 500 or more - it is over 4 hours one-way. We might get a family member with a sense of adventure to play shuttle.

Anyone know about the Ely Customs office - is it seasonal or open year-round? Our trip, if we do this, might have us padding across the border on Memorial Day.
Guessing they are likely closed that day... Anyone have intel? Not finding anything clear online, not even a phone number for the office.

sns - the Ely CBP office pretty much closed for regular business about three or four years ago - staffing I was told. You now pretty much self-report using the CBP ROAM (Reporting Offsite Arrival - Mobile) app. and a free, required login.gov account. Check it out, download it to your mobile and do it all with having to stop anywhere.

Do your research ahead of time, be ready before you go and you should find it pretty easy to use. You can also create traveler and boat (conveyance) profiles in advance for easier reporting.

pd

pd, thanks - perfect. An app will be better by about 1000%.

Now just need to figure out the Ely>Atikokan transportation aspect.

PaddleMeHome: "We are doing some preliminary exploration of a north to south paddle starting near Atikokan and ending near Ely. Exploring fly-in options to leave a car in Ely to head back to Wisconsin when we come out.

Any sage advice out there on resources for such a fly-in option? Any routes to avoid due to difficult portages, low water, or other issues? Thinking about the 2nd half of August timing wise. All free advice is welcomed!"

This sounds fun! I can't wait to hear your plans, how long it will take given the type of trip you do, and on and on!