I've never been into Quetico (I swear - that's a different falls that looks just like Rebecca Ffalls), but am considering taking some of my ornithology students. Given that RABC permits don't seem to be happening, and we'd have to go to the border anyway to get various passports approved, I'm considering going in at beaverhouse or Batchtewaung and working our way south through the park.

Given that I've never done this, am I crazy? And what logistical issues might crop up?

I'd only do this if I had a driver, and one of our student assistants might be able to do this. We'd drive in a van with a canoe trailer, and they'd drop us off and drive back.

It sounds like we'd have to cross the border with legal passports, head to a permitting station (Beaverhouse or Atikokan), get dropped off, head south, and then I was expecting that we'd cross the border with a day pass for the BW and blitz back to camp/get picked up. We would then have to drive to Ely to go back through customs into the US, is what I understand.

Sounds like issues to think about are: insurance on the van (make sure it's covered in Canada by our insurance); make sure US registration on trailer is current; make sure canoe registrations are current; Ontario fishing licenses; current valid passports (if we have any non-US students I think we won't be able to do this - visas are really hard to get on short notice) and use ArriveCan? Make sure we get into the ranger station in time to get the permit. Make sure we have a BWCA day permit (or two) in pocket for whenever we cross back (or get one at PP).

Are burned areas closed? The only portage maintenance map posted now is from last year in June, presumably before the fires were as big as they were.

How many days are you looking at tripping?

Beaverhouse entry has a more challenging path going from North to South at least when I look at how the chains of lakes lay out. I’d recommend Batchewaung or Pickerel. If you are getting dropped off a Pickerel entry at Stanton Bay would be the easiest starting point going North to South. Then you’ll have to figure out your route South. I’d assume you’ll come through at Prairie Portage and then Paddle out to a Moose Lake exit in the BWCA.

I’m not sure if any areas of Quetico are more known for Birds. Maybe somebody else can chime in on that.

Biggest challenge on these one way trips is the drop off and pick up and It sounds like you have that figured out.

Ryan

IF the Sand Point Canadian Customs opens this May, and it sounds like that is a real possibility, you may want to consider a tow from Crane Lake to the LLC Ranger Station Quetico EPs (I.e Bottle, McAree, etc). In the end, while this would likely be a little more $, logistically it would be much more straight forward. Furthermore, could be one-way if you wanted to exit via the BWCA with the ability to spend a night or two in the BWCA (get the EP 12 -Vermillion permit or EP 71-from Canada permit). And this approach would get you to Rebecca Falls on day 1.

Below is a burn map of Quetico.

You don't need a passport to enter Canada.

Neither Canada nor Ontario requires canoe registration.

It is highly likely your car insurance covers Canada.

Because you are being dropped off, Stanton Bay may be your best entry point.

You are not crazy. It sounds like an excellent trip. I'm sure more would do it if they could find a shuttle driver.

Having said that, I don't know the legality of crossing the border into the USA at an unofficial location if you are a US citizen. If you have non-US citizens with you, I would definitely not attempt this even with passports and/or visas.

When are you going?

My understanding is this is all doable, and you check in with US customs using the ROAM app upon your return.

My group is doing a Quetico loop for a week; I am considering soloing back down to the US when the others pull out of Pickerel.

The way you describe your potential trip, I believe you have it nailed 100%. Having a driver is the key to a north-south trip and it sounds like you have that squared away.

Using your passports and the ArriveCAN app to enter Canada is good. Maybe you don't need the passport, but you might as well use it.

For fishing, you'll need an Outdoors Card before you can buy your fishing license. No worries, though. You can buy both on the same website. huntandfishontario.com

You'll need a day permit to paddle through the BWCA on your way to the landing. If you were to camp somewhere in the BW before heading to the landing, I'm sure there are requirements for picking up your permit. Assuming that you'd cross into the US at Prairie Portage, you might as well just paddle to the landing. It's only two hours from PP.

Doing a cross-Quetico trip is awesome and one that you'll always remember. I hope you get a chance to do it.

Very nice trip if you can do it. Logistics shouldn't be too difficult. I did this trip with a group in May 2009. We split the group of 10 into two vans and at Grand Marais we exchanged spare van keys. The group of four crossed into Canada and started the trip at French Lake and my group started at Sag at the end of the Gunflint Trail on a Sunday. On Tuesday we met up in Quetico, camped together and the next day each continued on with my group ending at French Lake where we picked up the other groups van. When we crossed back into the US we checked in at the Coast Station station in Grand Marais (because we crossed into Canada on a RABC.) A great trip that took a leisurely 6 days going south-to-north/north-to-south across Quetico. My group was the first group to pass through Cache Bay entry point that year (the 100th anniversary of the founding of Quetico) and we met Janice the longtime ranger at Cache bay.

Just a note- Maximum party size in Quetico is 9; ten folks sharing a camp would be a violation.

I have done this a couple of times and my main caution would be that paddling from Robinson (the nicest camps close to the Horse River (though there is a large site overlooking Moose Bay that can accommodate a large group)) to Low Lake though possible is a fairly beastly day's travel. That Range River never ends on the way home. Another option is to camp the last night in Ranger Bay and head home through Jackfish Bay (a stiff south breeze could have you lamenting your portage saving wisdom).

A passport is not required for entry into Canada but is required (or a Passport card or enhanced Driver's License) for re-entry into the USA.

Banksiana: "
Just a note- Maximum party size in Quetico is 9; ten folks sharing a camp would be a violation.


I have done this a couple of times and my main caution would be that paddling from Robinson (the nicest camps close to the Horse River (though there is a large site overlooking Moose Bay that can accommodate a large group)) to Low Lake though possible is a fairly beastly day's travel. That Range River never ends on the way home. Another option is to camp the last night in Ranger Bay and head home through Jackfish Bay (a stiff south breeze could have you lamenting your portage saving wisdom).


A passport is not required for entry into Canada but is required (or a Passport card or enhanced Driver's License) for re-entry into the USA.
"

Banks, you have this choice dialed in. Robinson to Horse all the way to Low is a FULL day. The Range is such a ... way to end a trip. After the 2016 blowdown it only got better. I kinda love it though - it really makes the students realize they love home, and it's not THAT bad. I have come down Jackfish Bay a few times now and I love it, but the specter of wind is always there. And Ranger Bay and that northern chunk of Basswood is something else, so that's very tempting despite the risk.

Gaidin53: "How many days are you looking at tripping?


Beaverhouse entry has a more challenging path going from North to South at least when I look at how the chains of lakes lay out. I’d recommend Batchewaung or Pickerel. If you are getting dropped off a Pickerel entry at Stanton Bay would be the easiest starting point going North to South. Then you’ll have to figure out your route South. I’d assume you’ll come through at Prairie Portage and then Paddle out to a Moose Lake exit in the BWCA.


I’m not sure if any areas of Quetico are more known for Birds. Maybe somebody else can chime in on that.


Biggest challenge on these one way trips is the drop off and pick up and It sounds like you have that figured out.


Ryan"

Thanks for this feedback Ryan. The Beaverhouse route would be interesting, pushing us into some of the major burned areas if I recall right, so Batchewaung may be better for a first time for me. We could take 10 or even 11 days if we wanted to.

I'm not worried about finding birds - they'll be there! I'd actually like to check out some of the heavily burned areas for returning species as a matter of interest.

plander: "IF the Sand Point Canadian Customs opens this May, and it sounds like that is a real possibility, you may want to consider a tow from Crane Lake to the LLC Ranger Station Quetico EPs (I.e Bottle, McAree, etc). In the end, while this would likely be a little more $, logistically it would be much more straight forward. Furthermore, could be one-way if you wanted to exit via the BWCA with the ability to spend a night or two in the BWCA (get the EP 12 -Vermillion permit or EP 71-from Canada permit). And this approach would get you to Rebecca Falls on day 1.


Below is a burn map of Quetico.


"

Okay, thank you for this point! If this could happen, yes, it would save us a LOT of time and logistics and we could still get quite a ways up exploring. THANK YOU. (I'm not worried about Rebecca Falls - I may or may not have already seen it while camping on Iron...)

A tow for that big a group is going to really add up. I just can’t see that being viable for a group like you are talking about from an expense standpoint. I could be wrong though. You’ve also got enough time that I’d question that being a long enough paddling trip to Prairie portage. You’d have a lot of down time unless you skirted that Northern edge of that section for a while and zig zagged down. That being said that is totally an area I’m going to trip in and it’s an awesome area of Quetico.

Beaverhouse entry working over East and then Working down south into Kashipiwi would be a good North to South trip. Seriously something to cherish and remember! You’d go through some pretty awesome lakes. You’d also get into some of the burn area but sort of edge through it in and out I think.

Kashipiwi is on my to do list. As is that whole as I think of it Southwest area of Quetico.

I guess part of the unknown is mileage you are thinking per day. You also need to plan for 1 day in 5 of being windbound. I’m figuring mileage for a 14 day Quetico trip and when I look at the miles travelled and portage on PP. I think about miles per day but I reduced by 3 days as possible windbound days. Sounds like you’ve tripped before since you might have seen Rebecca’s falls so you understand the variables.

Whatever you do will be pretty epic but if you have the opportunity to do a North to South trip don’t go halfway North! Just my opinion!

Ryan

corvidologist: "

plander: "IF the Sand Point Canadian Customs opens this May, and it sounds like that is a real possibility, you may want to consider a tow from Crane Lake to the LLC Ranger Station Quetico EPs (I.e Bottle, McAree, etc). In the end, while this would likely be a little more $, logistically it would be much more straight forward. Furthermore, could be one-way if you wanted to exit via the BWCA with the ability to spend a night or two in the BWCA (get the EP 12 -Vermillion permit or EP 71-from Canada permit). And this approach would get you to Rebecca Falls on day 1.



Below is a burn map of Quetico.



"

Okay, thank you for this point! If this could happen, yes, it would save us a LOT of time and logistics and we could still get quite a ways up exploring. THANK YOU. (I'm not worried about Rebecca Falls - I may or may not have already seen it while camping on Iron...)"

If you are interested in this approach I’d suggest you contact either Anderson’s (this is who I use) or Zup’s to check the status of the Sand Point Canada Customs for 2022…it’s a seasonal CBSA operation that typically opens May 15. Who knows, the outfitters may even give you a discount of sorts given its for “educational” purposes.

No idea about your group size but they can get 8-10 people + gear/6 canoes on one of their boats to tow folks in on. And it would be easy to exit EP 16 or EP 22 if you did a one-way trip.

I’m super curious about the impact the burn will have had on the bird population in the area. In particular, the aeries I’ve come to notice/monitor over the years (expect for 2020 and 2021, for obvious reasons).

FYI the response below from the Superior National Forest-USFS per a question I sent about when and how to pick up a permit for EP 71 (FROM CANADA).

---------
My question on 04/10/2022:

"My question is how does the EP 71 permit work? As you come into the BWCA from Canada, it seems that picking up the permit the day before or day of entry at a ranger station or cooperator would be difficult, if not impossible. Later this year I will be doing a one way canoe trip starting on the north side of Quetico, arriving in the BWCA about a week later around Crooked Lake, and exiting a few days later via EP 22/23. The EP 71 permit seems to make sense but I simply don’t understand how to get it issued properly. Please advise. -Peter"

Response received (04/11/2022):

"Hello Peter, Thank you for contacting Superior National Forest. If your entry into the BWCAW is from Canada, yes, you would be looking for entry point #71, “From Canada”.

The entry date for your permit would be the date you cross the border into the US/BWCAW from Canada. These specific permits, because of what you have outlined, may be issued more than one day in advance, if approved by the Forest Supervisor’s Office. The permit can be issued up to 14 days in advance from a Forest Service Office

In order to request the early pickup, please feel free to email your permit reservation number for your #71/From Canada permit to me (you can simply reply to this email) and I will provide it to Wilderness management for their review.

If I can clarify any of the above information or be of any further help, please let me know.

Luke Laaveg
Visitor Services and Information Forest Service
Superior National Forest
Supervisor’s Office
p: 218-626-4300
luke.laaveg@usda.gov
8901 Grand Avenue Place
Duluth, MN 55808"