My wife and I are planning a 13 night trip to Quetico starting July 31 from Carp. We tend to cover a lot of ground if the weather is good, as she likes to move most days.

One idea is to go up the Man chain to Sagananons, then west to Wet and McEwen, then down through Louisa and Sunday back to Prairie Portage. Another longer idea is to start the same way but go up through Kawnipi and then down through the Kahshahpiwi chain.

As we have never been to Quetico, any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, -- Larry

Hi Larry,
Sounds like you have an awesome Q trip planned. Looking forward to hearing about it after you get back. I just returned from our week-long trip to Q last night, but we entered from Stanton Bay in the north.

Since you prefer to move each day instead of base camping, your 14-day trip is plenty of time to include the longer Kawnipi & Kahshahpiwi route you've mentioned. We've done most of the lakes you'll hit on that loop, and you'll have lots of the area to yourselves, if that's what you want. Consider adding Blackstone to your route--you can paddle out of Other Man through a couple no-names into Bell, then portage into Blackstone. Exit Blackstone via its NE arm and paddle downstream on a beautiful creek chain with short portages, ending up in Saganagons, then into the Falls Chain on your way to Kawnipi. We're doing a variation on this route in late August, but in reverse, with Sarah as our entry lake.

You might also consider digging through some of the Quetico trip reports. You don't mention fishing as an interest--we don't fish, so can't offer any advice there, but trip reports include a wide range of interests, so look for reports whose topics match your plans.

Have a fantastic trip!

TZ

PS: Another TarHeel here--we're in the western end of NC

The longer route is still easily achievable in 13 days in my opinion, even with a few layover days.

Thanks sns, that is good info -- means we can even do MORE (as my wife would like!).

TZ, I was hoping you would respond. Yes I remember you are in western NC and I think we have a lot in common. My son is a sawyer, and you named your canoe after me. ;>]
Thanks for the great ideas, this is just the kind of details we are looking for.

Anything other than Blackstone not to be missed in this general area? Anything to avoid?

I think the McEwen Chain from Wet to Agnes can't be beat. Just beautiful. Suggest that and continue north to Silence and Kahshahpiwi via Trant. Depending on time you can head to PP via Side and Isabella or via Yum Yum and Shade or head west still.

The rest of Falls Chain and Kawnipi is great but McEwen Chain beats in IMHO.

Best wishes.

Did that same trip in 2013 in 13 days if you want to check out the trip report. It was relaxed but we were fishing and enjoyed the lay over days. I agree that it is an awesome trip.

Trip Report

LarryNC: "Thanks sns, that is good info -- means we can even do MORE (as my wife would like!).


TZ, I was hoping you would respond. Yes I remember you are in western NC and I think we have a lot in common. My son is a sawyer, and you named your canoe after me. ;>]
Thanks for the great ideas, this is just the kind of details we are looking for.


Anything other than Blackstone not to be missed in this general area? Anything to avoid? "

Well, should you elect the longer route, you could exit Kawnipi via the west channel of the Agnes River, putting you into the NW end of Agnes. Take Reid and Woodside into Trant (or take Reid and a series of no-names into Trant) which has a pictograph site and one of the most beautiful campsites in Quetico IMHO. From Trant you can portage into Kahshahpiwi. I'm not fond of the portage out of the southern end of Kahshahpiwi, but haven't been through it in several years and it may have improved with age (or major maintenance!). As our entry lake is Sarah for our August trip, we're routing from Sarah's NE corner to Kahshahpiwi via the series of no-name lakes, then through Trant because we missed the picto site when we were there several years ago.

TZ

Bill, you packed a lot of great info into that little paragraph. We love small lakes so your route ideas are perfect.

Wyopaddler, I thoroughly enjoyed your very well done trip report. Thanks for alerting me to it, I will study it closely. You caught a lot of nice fish (yes, I will be fishing!). Were you using anything special? I tend to mostly troll with topwater (whopper plopper) or not-very-deep lures (e.g. husky jerk), or maybe something diving like a deep tail dancer in a deep lake for trout.

Trailzen, this looks like another big vote for Trant. Which site is the one you like there?

Many thanks everyone, -- Larry

LarryNC: "...Anything other than Blackstone not to be missed in this general area? Anything to avoid? "

Just remember, there is only one established camp site on Blackstone. If it's taken, you need an option.

bobbernumber3: "

LarryNC: "...Anything other than Blackstone not to be missed in this general area? Anything to avoid? "

Just remember, there is only one established camp site on Blackstone. If it's taken, you need an option."

Not totally accurate. Last month we were on that one (island) site for two nights. Second evening around 7:30 a four-person group shows up, we chat, and they head across the lake & camp on a little-used rock dome site south-southeast maybe 300m. Looked like one decent tent pad, but that second tent was clearly very sloped.

We packed up in the morning, and I assume they switched sites.

LarryNC: "Trailzen, this looks like another big vote for Trant. Which site is the one you like there?"

Hey, Larry--
Here's a link to the second day of our 2019 trip when we discovered the sweet campsite. Paddle through the smaller east arm of Trant, then turn right and you're there. Our report includes a description of the no-name lake option for getting to Trant from Agnes--you may want to opt for the Reid-Woodside route after reading my notes. Photos and notes on the Trant site bring back nice memories, even though we had rain.

TZ

bobbernumber3: "

LarryNC: "...Anything other than Blackstone not to be missed in this general area? Anything to avoid? "

Just remember, there is only one established camp site on Blackstone. If it's taken, you need an option."

While only one campsite on Blackstone is really nice, there are three others shown on another planning site.

TZ

LarryNC: "Bill, you packed a lot of great info into that little paragraph. We love small lakes so your route ideas are perfect.


Wyopaddler, I thoroughly enjoyed your very well done trip report. Thanks for alerting me to it, I will study it closely. You caught a lot of nice fish (yes, I will be fishing!). Were you using anything special? I tend to mostly troll with topwater (whopper plopper) or not-very-deep lures (e.g. husky jerk), or maybe something diving like a deep tail dancer in a deep lake for trout.


Trailzen, this looks like another big vote for Trant. Which site is the one you like there?


Many thanks everyone, -- Larry

Well, we don't troll much. I think we don't have the patience for it and we are fishing predominantly for bass. Back in 2013 we were fishing predominantly zoom flukes (Pearl) and curly tail grubs of a variety of colors. Now we have switched almost exclusively to Zman plastics. They are more expensive but they are hardier so we need fewer of them. Zman Jerk Shadz (Pearl 5") rigged weightless and the Zman Big TRD ned rigged. In August last year, we were killing them on Blue/Black and Canada Craw. The TRD's were really the bomb when the fishing was slow-the walleye were hitting them too. Yes, I throw in a couple of whopper ploppers for the fun of it. Don't mix the Zman plastics with your other plastics they will dissolve. We aren't targeting trout that time of year so I'm no help. Have fun.

bobber3, thanks for the heads up, great to know when we get up that way.

TZ, I see exactly where the site is from your trip report. Thanks for the link to your trip report (I really enjoy your reports, BTW), I will read in detail. I also see the less-desirable sites noted on Blackstone.

wyo, thanks much for the detailed info on Zman -- I have not used them but will pick up some for our trip.

This all super helpful everyone -- getting very excited to be up there in Q in a few weeks, with our new/used MN II that will be taking its maiden voyage.

Just so you are aware, the portage from Bell into Blackstone is no longer maintained by the park and has not been for a few years now. It is no longer on the official maps.
There are other ways into Blackstone, but don't count on that portage!

PK2: "Just so you are aware, the portage from Bell into Blackstone is no longer maintained by the park and has not been for a few years now. It is no longer on the official maps.
There are other ways into Blackstone, but don't count on that portage!"

Thanks so much, PK2! I was looking at an older map (1989--that's embarrassing) when I suggested going from Bell to Blackstone. Looked at my 2021 Adventure Map, which agrees with your warning, although the portage still appears on another planning site. My August route into/from Blackstone doesn't rely on the Bell portage, but my suggestion to Larry did. Sorry for the bum advice, Larry.

TZ

sns: "...head across the lake & camp on a little-used rock dome site south-southeast maybe 300m. Looked like one decent tent pad, but that second tent was clearly very sloped.

We packed up in the morning, and I assume they switched sites.
"

This was our same scenario the first night on Blackstone. The "very sloped" rock dome was "very bad" with our feet pushing the sidewalls out all night long. We moved into the one site vacated the next morning.

It's a one-site lake, in my book!

Thanks PK2 and no worries TZ. I see the other route to Blackstone starting from Slate after 3 portages on my Chrismar.

TZ, what maps are you taking? We have Chrismar 2016 (bought just last year from an outfitter) and Mackenzie. I wonder if we should update to the newer Chrismar.

LarryNC: "TZ, what maps are you taking? We have Chrismar 2016 (bought just last year from an outfitter) and Mackenzie. I wonder if we should update to the newer Chrismar. "

We'll carry two maps--I really like the Chrismar Adventure Map series, and bought the 2021 update for our 2021 Quetico trip that turned into an Algonquin trip because of wildfires closing Quetico shortly before our entry date. We also carry a 1992 Quetico Foundation map that we've marked up with campsites, pictos, portage comments (Bog of Eternal Stench, Swan Point, Portage of Dashed Hopes, etc) through the years. We tried Mackenzie maps one year and felt like we spent too much time refolding maps. My previous Chrismar is a 2010, and we noted some changes, so you'd probably see several differences between your 2016 and the 2021, which appears to be the most recent update. I ordered our 2021 directly from Chrismar.

TZ

Thanks TZ. I like your naming tradition. We do some of the same, esp. with campsites. One of my favorites is Earwax Neck (on Oyster Lake), where we spent a long time heating water and squirting it in my ear with the sawyer water filter syringe to remove a clog that was driving me crazy.

Maybe we will look at the 2021 chrismar when we get up there and grab it if we see much difference. Libby is already in process of marking up our 2016. She will likely carry the Mackenzie as she does not mind folding. I may need to bring reading glasses to see the chrismar in the boat.

Back to Blackstone: has anyone done the route from Saganagons to the northeast arm of Blackstone (4 portages)? Looks like it could be nice if not too swampy. Thinking we could go in to Blackstone from Slate and out the northern way.

LarryNC: "...has anyone done the route from Saganagons to the northeast arm of Blackstone (4 portages)? Looks like it could be nice if not too swampy. Thinking we could go in to Blackstone from Slate and out the northern way.
"

We went to Blackstone via Slate Lake in summer 2005. One of the portages was flooded from a beaver working in the area. The Blackstone site is nice, if available.

LarryNC: "Back to Blackstone: has anyone done the route from Saganagons to the northeast arm of Blackstone (4 portages)? Looks like it could be nice if not too swampy. Thinking we could go in to Blackstone from Slate and out the northern way.
"

We entered Blackstone's NE arm from Saganagons during our 2011 trip. That direction had us paddling upstream, but you're proposing going downstream. Tia recalls that while the map showed 4 portages along the stream, beaver activity made it 5. We exited to Bell, but PK2 has informed us that the park no longer maintains that portage; this year's route has us entering Blackstone's NE corner and exiting to Slate.

The 2011 trip was our first using Chrismars--still have our 2010 Chrismar Quetico map. Hope you and Libby thoroughly enjoy your first Quetico adventure!

TZ

LarryNC: "Back to Blackstone: has anyone done the route from Saganagons to the northeast arm of Blackstone (4 portages)? Looks like it could be nice if not too swampy. Thinking we could go in to Blackstone from Slate and out the northern way. "

We did exactly this one month ago. The portages through the Slate route are unremarkable, except the 6-700m one leaving Slate to the west. That one got us. Couple of boggy stretches - it was harder than the distance would indicate.

Leaving through the creek was fine, though the first two portages were hard to find as I recall. Going by memory, I think our map had then marked as being on the right/south side as you head east, but they were actually left/north, and we lost time hunting for them. I think the Slate route took us 4+ hours, and the creek was maybe 3.5. We were 1.5 portaging.

Great info TZ, bobber3 and sns on the Blackstone portages. sns that is fantastic that you were just there recently, many thanks for replying. Sounds like a worthy adventure.

TZ I hope you and Tia have a super trip as well. I have really been enjoying reading your trip reports, love all the great flower pics.

LarryNC: "Great info TZ, bobber3 and sns on the Blackstone portages. sns that is fantastic that you were just there recently, many thanks for replying. Sounds like a worthy adventure.

TZ I hope you and Tia have a super trip as well. I have really been enjoying reading your trip reports, love all the great flower pics. "

Thanks, and thanks for the kind words about my trip reports. I need to dig out Tia's trip journals from trips prior to my joining the BWCA.com forum and post some more.

TZ

Hey, Larry--you're probably starting the drive up tomorrow. Safe travels, and I hope this is your best BWCA/Quetico trip yet! Post a few comments on your return so I'll know if we need to modify my route for our Quetico trip that starts August 27.
Regards,
TZ/Chuck

Chuck, we are flying home today. Fabulous trip, stayed at this man, other man ,black stone, saganagons, sig (by waterfall), glacier, Louisa, silence, trant, agnes (north end via hurlbert), Isabella via s-chain, English Channel on basswood via Burke, wind.

Glad to fill you in on any or all, just reply or message me.

Already planning the next Quetico trip! Hope yours is great.

— Larry (from Libby’s phone, I do not have one ;>]

Larry,
Sounds like you covered a lot of ground (or water)! Great to hear that your first Quetico trip has you already planning your next one. Comments on people numbers and portage conditions would be greatly appreciated, especially in Blackstone and Trant lakes. Safe travels!

TZ/Chuck

Chuck, people were very sparse -- we had three 2-day stretches when we did not see anyone. Campsites were therefore easy to find, and we often had whole lakes to ourselves, including Trant and Blackstone.

Portages into Blackstone from Slate were OK, although as sns mentioned the first/longer one was a bit messy. Coming out of Blackstone toward Sag, the first two were on the left, as sns recalled. To find the second one we had to lift over a beaver dam, then walk/float over a short pond, then lift over a second older/larger beaver dam. After that dam the portage was clear on the left. We
looked all around before the first dam before deciding we needed to go over it.
We stayed on the island in Blackstone, a great site.

Portages into Trant from Silence direction were a bit rocky but no big surprises, and the one going out toward Hurlburt was fine. We stayed at the big grassy site you told me about, another favorite.

Other favorite sites were the one on the island in the middle of Other Man, which is high with a commanding view, and the site next to the falls (Bald Rock Falls?) heading into Sidney Lake (Maligne River) from Saganagons. We slept like logs -- best white noise ever.

If you want to tell me your general route I can let you know if there is anything we found that might be helpful.

LibbyLou: "Chuck, we are flying home today. Fabulous trip, stayed at this man, other man ,black stone, saganagons, sig (by waterfall), glacier, Louisa, silence, trant, agnes (north end via hurlbert), Isabella via s-chain, English Channel on basswood via Burke, wind.


Glad to fill you in on any or all, just reply or message me.


Already planning the next Quetico trip! Hope yours is great.

— Larry (from Libby’s phone, I do not have one ;>] "

Some great lakes through there. I loved that Glacier to Louisa section.

Yes Bill, that stretch was gorgeous, and we may not have done it if not for your suggestion. Thanks!

I'm very pleased if my sharing helped. It's such a wonderful enchanted place.

LarryNC: "If you want to tell me your general route I can let you know if there is anything we found that might be helpful. "

Larry,
Here's an overview of our proposed route: Night 1, North Bay; Night 2, Sarah; Night 3, Trant; Night 4, Kawnipi; Night 5, Kenny; Night 6, Saganagons; Night 7, Blackstone; Night 8, Other Man; Night 9, Carp. Not quite 112 miles (paddle & portage) in 10 days. Should weather or other events dictate a layover day or otherwise shorter route, we may move our return leg to McEwen, Louisa, Agnes, Sunday. Thanks in advance for any and all comments.

TZ

PS: Tried to link a map of the exact route, but said map resides on a website whose name shall not be mentioned here and whose links are not allowed.

Sarah to Trant could be a long day, depends how tough the walking is. A few years back I went Marj to Sarah (through Kahsh) and I was pretty beat. was planning on Irene but a couple was already camped there- though there is another decent site I didn't want to spoil their stay.

Chuck, that looks like a beautiful and ambitious route. Thoughts:
- it took us about 2hrs to paddle to Prairie Portage from Latourells
- the ranger at PP went over our route with us in detail, letting us know about difficult areas (although we were sketchy on exactly where we were going for most of the trip, we did get some good info)
- the 4* site in the middle of Isabella was one of our favorites if you make it that far
- trant to keewatin had no surprises
- we went S. to Agnes from Keewatin, stayed at the 2nd from northmost site (2* on PP), which was super, did not see anyone
- we loved camping near the waterfall just before the 9 rod portage (going in your direction, east) in the falls chain (see my previous post, 3* on PP)
- if you are doing the Blackstone loop clockwise (the way we went) the only tricky portage was the second one going out, as mentioned in my previous post
- we stayed on the island site in Blackstone, loved it
- no surprises in the man chain
- the site you have circled in Other Man is one of our all time favorites
- rather than paddling back down Newfound/Moose, we greatly enjoyed coming through Wind (we had a Moose entry permit at the suggestion of an outfitter) -- the southwesternmost site (3*) was a wildlife mecca
- if you decided to do McEwen to Louisa, one of the portages was maybe the most challenging of the trip for me -- let me know if you want details
- portage Louisa to Agnes was VERY steep, decided to 2P it and glad it was not wet; there is a switchback trail to the left halfway down that is well worth taking

That is about all I remember without looking at Libby's notes ... she may have additional comments as her memory is like a video recording, while mine is more like an old snapshot camera that fell in the water and ruined most of the film.

Larry,
Thanks so much for the comments. Two hours is our typical paddle time from the Moose public landing to Prairie Portage, and Jason has checked our proposed routes a few times when we checked in at PP. We've done several lunch stops on Isabella, but have never stayed overnight there--will have to check out the 4*. We've done several trips that included sections of Agnes, so will skip it this year, but we also like the 2* site you used, as well as the 2* near the portage into Reid. We'll check out the site near the 9 rod portage on the Falls Chain--thanks for the recommendation. Yes, we're doing the Blackstone loop clockwise (did it CCW out last visit and don't want to paddle up the creek again), so will be alert for the second portage upon our exit. We hope to score the island site again in Blackstone. Thanks for the campsite comment for Other Man--just selected it by mileage, and didn't see a rating on PP. I've paddled back into Moose via Wind a couple times, but since we're paddling in from the east via Carp and BIrch, we'll just drop on down sucker and Newfound. We've done the Agnes/Louisa portage in both directions; while I really like Glacier and McEwen Lakes, I'll probably never do the Agnes/Louisa portage again.

Great to hear that you and Libby had a great "first time in Quetico" trip and are already planning another visit. Hope to cross paths with you some day.

TZ

The site at the narrows of Isabella Lake is a great site, even if used a lost. The paddle from Isabella to North Bay is one of my favorites.