Curious about recommendations for scenery and quiet in Quetico. We have 2 weeks in August! But don’t know where to go.

Only been to Quetico once – 10 years ago we entered at Stanton, W across Pickerel, then S tthrough Maria-Jesse-Walter-Lonely to Sturgeon, then through the Poets chain, then south through Heronshaw and W following Cutty Creek through Cub, Camel etc back to Sturgeon Narrows. Then N through Bug-Beg-Bisk (is that the B chain?). A gorgeous trip! I’d do that again in a heartbeat. But we have twice as long this time so….

We’re experienced paddlers. We don’t fish - usually go to the BWCA in May right after ice out and before fishing opener and love the solitude. Like to travel. Enjoy everything from creeks to big rock faces on lakes, old trees, not into lots of people. Have played around in PMAs a bit. Party of 2, my wife and me, in our early 60s but single portage and like to think we know what we’re doing.

Right now I’m playing with the idea of starting at Stanton and making our way to
the Poets again and then heading SE to the Falls chain. From there, SW through McEwen, Fauquier etc to Louisa. Then over to Kahshapiwi either through Shan Washe and McNiece or Agnes-Silence-Trant. Then NE through Kahshahpiwi-Keefer-Sark-Cairn. Then wandering back to Stanton or Nym somehow.
How’s that sound? What’s it like between the Falls chain and Kahshahpiwi? Probably more people. But it looks like beautiful country.
Also totally willing to change plans completely.

Don’t really know what other regions to check out. Beaverhouse and Nym areas look busy. Maligne SW of Sturgeon must be too. Central area S and E of Poobah looks like it was in the ’21 burn.
Thanks for your ideas!

desertcanoe: "Curious about recommendations for scenery and quiet in Quetico. We have 2 weeks in August! But don’t know where to go.
lans completely.
...

Don’t really know what other regions to check out. Beaverhouse and Nym areas look busy. Maligne SW of Sturgeon must be too. Central area S and E of Poobah looks like it was in the ’21 burn.
Thanks for your ideas!
"

That has never been my experience. I have always found the busiest area of the park to be around Stanton Bay. You will find the highest concentrations in Quetico Lake in the region of the Beaverhouse portage. Apart from both of those relatively "busy" areas, the park always seems virtually empty.

If you truly want a quiet entry point, try Lerome.

My experiences are always in late July to early August. I have been told that August tends to be the busiest month for Canadian travellers; ergo, all of the northern entry points could be affected by that anomaly. But I doubt it should impact you too much. Two weeks is a long time and of sufficient duration to stay far away from the perimeter.

"Right now I’m playing with the idea of starting at Stanton and making our way to
the Poets again and then heading SE to the Falls chain. From there, SW through McEwen, Fauquier etc to Louisa. Then over to Kahshapiwi either through Shan Washe and McNiece or Agnes-Silence-Trant. Then NE through Kahshahpiwi-Keefer-Sark-Cairn. Then wandering back to Stanton or Nym somehow.
How’s that sound?"

I've traveled various parts of your described route multiple times in August entering at French Lake. Once you cross Pickerel and get south of Jesse (There is a nice camp on Elizabeth and Draper) it should be pretty quiet until you hit the Falls Chain south of Kenny ( Always busy there). Southwest from McEwen to Louisa is lovely and lightly used in my experience. Agnus is commonly busy but the cut over (either route) to Kahshahpiwi and back up to the Poets Chain is usually quiet until you hit Russell Lake and back north to Pickerel. I love the B-Chain and often paddle it on the way back to Pickerel. As you know busy in the Quetico is not like busy in the BWCA.

FYI, parts of the Poet's chain (Shelley, northern Kawnipi) burned quite heavily in 2021. The portages are clear but some of the campsites are gone. Also Cairn is very crispy but the portages are clear or they were . . .

Have a great trip.