I thought I would share some of my thoughts on my August canoe trip. I had planned to stay in 21 days but I came out a day early because of the nearly 40 degree heat. As always, I really enjoyed the trip even though I shortened the route substantially. I had planned to go down through Cutty Creek and then back up through Alice. Whether it was old age, laziness, very low water levels or not wanting to see the fire damage, I chose not to do it. Instead, I added Rawn and Buckingham area to my route and stayed at my three favorite lakes an extra day.

There were highlights and lowlights to the trip. On the first day in the Quetico River I spotted two ears in the water just ahead of me. For the first time in over forty years, I had spotted a bear. To be more accurate a cubling possibly just kicked out of home by his mother. When he got out of the water, I gaged him at about 100 pound soaking wet. I had expected him to stand and shake like a dog when he exited the water. Instead, he took off like a bat out of hell so I was pictureless.

I had a wonderful time lake trout fishing on Jean as for over four hours there was hardly any wind. The fishing was excellent, and I was so thankful as the rest of the time there it was too windy. On my fifth day I threw my fishing rod away because the fishing was so good and just started to use my hands- not? It is a good thing I buy cheap equipment, or I would have castigated myself longer than one day.

There was one stretch where I went for four and three-quarter days without seeing the sun for more than ten seconds. Offsetting the dreariness was good fishing and light winds. During that period, it didn’t really rain but there was a lot of Quetico mist.

I had one dangerous storm with a cloud burst, strong winds and hail but fortunately I saw it coming and created a canoe tent which kept my packs and me dry. Overall, the weather was reasonable except for the heat during last three days.
Last year I had planned to explore the four no name lakes west of Buckingham but I had miscounted the days and had to leave. So, this year I did it and enjoyed a wonderful morning before the heat exhausted me.

I was glad to see more trumpeter swans this year. They are making a wonderful comeback. One interesting point was that there were three trumpeters and seven Canada geese that formed a pack and I saw them together on three different lakes.

I just hope I will have enough strength to go again next year. I met an 83 year-old who solved the problem by convincing non-related 20 year old to come with him and do all the heavy lifting. I may have to try that. Anyway, I am so glad I can still enjoy Q.
For those of you who are bored or don’t know the north end of Q that well I offer links to a multitude of pictures of my 2023 trips:
August Trip : https://photos.app.goo.gl/zVLWK3Pc8nFDJ4Cj9
May Trip : https://photos.app.goo.gl/468SRRVw9777Gjyu6

Sounds like a great trip, John. You've got four years on us, and we're also hoping to keep visiting Quetico for more years. Joined a gym after this year's 10-day trip in hopes of building up some upper-body strength for next year.

We were in the northwest corner of the park last year, and recognized much of your Beaverhouse to Jean photos, but we turned west in Jean, so left your route. Good luck finding a 20-year-old porter! We'll keep tripping together as long as we can.

TZ