BWCA Trip Report - Quetico 2010 Boundary Waters Trip Reports
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02/09/2011 01:10PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
New Trip Report posted by Ho Ho

Trip Name: Quetico 2010.

Entry Point: Quetico

Click Here to View Trip Report

Note - I'm posting this one day at a time. Day 1 is up now. I'll put a message up when I post additional days (basically I plan to post a day of the report each weekday).
 
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02/09/2011 01:47PM  
What a fun thing--to be able to anticipate a new installment of a HoHo trip report for ten more weekdays!

As always, I am already caught up in the adventure. You are the master of trip reports, Bill.
02/09/2011 08:06PM  
great start,
GraniteCliffs
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02/09/2011 10:05PM  
I love your trip reports. I am looking forward to the next installment. The photos and descriptions are outstanding. Thanks for the mid-winter pick me up.
02/09/2011 10:20PM  
Excellant! I will follow this, one day at a time. Great so far, We have ended 3 trips at Prairie Portage so this is familiar territory.
;-) fishguts
02/10/2011 07:09AM  
Thanks, all! I've now posted Day 2, which you can access directly here.

02/10/2011 10:08AM  
Enjoying it so far. Nice eye for detail in the pics (per usual).

Curious why you don't opt for a tow to PP? I hate to admit it, but I just don't have the patience for the moose chain on day one. I hate seeing boats whiz by when I am canoeing.

I took this route on solo trips in 1988 and 2001 so this is gonna be great to see how it pans out for you. I remember doing the tough up and down portages around Side and Sarah Lake in sunny 85 degree heat in 2001 and seriously thinking I was having a heart attack at the top of the hill. :(

02/11/2011 07:47AM  
I've posted Day 3. Here's the direct link if you don't want to restart at the beginning.

TomT, in terms of a tow to Prairie Portage, we sometimes do it and sometimes don't. I kind of like the fact that we are under our own power from beginning to end without a tow. Plus, it provides greater flexibility on the first and last day to go at your schedule rather than what you set up with the tow driver. And of course you save a little money, though that is not the main determinant. The downside of no tow is you spend more time and effort paddling on the motorized lakes, which takes away from time in the Quetico interior. If you prefer a tow for a route like this one, getting towed to PP at the start, and picked up at Lincoln Island on Basswood on the way back would be optimal.

02/11/2011 11:36AM  
I'm gonna bunk at LaTourells then get the first tow to PP the next morning but won't get one coming out. I don't want the pressure of having to be there waiting for the tow.

Being solo when I go, I want to conserve my energy the first day to get in as far as possible.
PineKnot
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02/11/2011 01:07PM  
Great reporting and pics, Ho Ho.

Re tows, for my last several trips starting/returning to PP I've used the tow both ways. We usually camp the last night on North Bay, Little Merriam, or Birch, so the paddle to PP is never more than 3 hours. Usually have a pick up time either 1:00 or 2:00 pm and La Tourell's has always been there early.

The last three trips have seen big winds from the S or SW. Even getting to Wind Bay and back to Moose would have been a struggle. The tows were a blessing.
GraniteCliffs
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02/12/2011 07:22PM  
I think you should consider a 30 day trip in the Q next year. Your reports could then entertain us for an entire month in the depth of our Minnesota winters.
I love that area, never knew there was a campsite on Side. I had seen it marked on a map but always seem to miss it when I paddle by.
I am looking forward to the next installment of your trip. Great stuff.
02/14/2011 08:03AM  
I've posted Day 4. Here's a direct link if you don't want to restart at the beginning.

Granite Cliffs - I like the idea of a 30-day trip, I may have to do that!

So I learned something new over on Quiet Journey where there's been a discussion about the Side-Sarah portage. It turns out that there is a completely different portage starting just a little further south on Side. The Fisher map shows two portages, but I always thought they were just two versions of the same thing, one where you portage all the way through (like we did in 2005), and one where you break it up with paddling (like we did this year). Turns out I was wrong. From the description, though, I'm not sure we would have wanted to do the other single portage this year, because it's steep and slippery when wet. (Of course, so was the route we took.) Something more to explore in the future! The discussion on QJ begins lower on the page at this link, and continues on the next page.

whitecedar
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02/14/2011 08:43PM  
Thanks Ho Ho, looking forward to the more. I cannot wait for spring!
02/15/2011 06:13AM  
I've added Day 5. You can start at the beginning of the report at the link above, or go directly to Day 5 here.

billgkna11
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02/15/2011 10:55AM  
This is an absolutely wonderful report. The photos are beautiful, and it is written so well, and with such painstaking detail. It's obvious you spent a lot of time on this, and it is so appreciated. The daily installment is a great idea too. Keeps me going through these cold winter days. Thank you.
02/15/2011 04:18PM  
Terrific report as usual and the photographs are outstanding. Are you processing the pictures with any type of software? Looking forward to Day 6.
02/15/2011 07:04PM  
It's always nice to get one of those perfect days after a spell of bad ones. I think we appreciate it more.

GraniteCliffs
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02/15/2011 08:09PM  
Nothing short of a sensational report.
I read your Side to Sarah portage and thought you had missed the direct shot to Sarah. I had done the same a number of years ago. The direct shot is much easier.
Your campsite on Brent has been referred to as the "Brent Hilton" by some folks.
The burned out little island on Brent brought back a memory for me. We paddled by the island when the fire was just about out. We stopped and talked to a crew of 3 or 4 Quetico Park staff that had been dropped off by helicopter to fight the smoldering flames. It seemed odd to us that they actually flew someone in to put out the fire since the island is so very small. Apparently they were concerned over it jumping to the mainland. About 20 minutes after we left them we saw the helicopter return to pick them up.
Again, love the report.
02/16/2011 06:29AM  

I've added Day 6. Direct link to that episode here.

And thanks for the positive feedback, guys! I enjoy putting the report together, it helps me relive the trip, and I like it when others enjoy it too.



GraniteCliffs
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02/16/2011 09:20PM  
I love that Argo campsite. Located up high with a sand beach landing. Seven or eight years ago there was a bright white moose skeleton in the 4 feet of water directly beneath the campsite. We speculated as to how it wound up there.
I have noticed the reference to Darkwater but never knew it was actually Darky---or why the name had been changed. One of several things I learned in your reports.
Thanks, keep it up.
02/17/2011 06:25AM  
Day 7 is posted. Direct link to it here.

Very interesting about the moose skeleton, Granite Cliffs. I would have liked to have seen that. Do you think it might have been from a wolf kill on the ice during the winter?


GraniteCliffs
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02/17/2011 07:02AM  
This is not good. Now I am checking for your trip reports while I am at work, something I never do.
I stayed at your campsite on Elk within a week or so after you did, coming in from the east. A couple of the guys I was with caught a ton of fish there.
Two of us were not that fond of the site so portaged to Cone to look for a campsite without success. We did not even see the old site you mentioned but the lake itself is beautiful.

jbartstanley
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02/17/2011 08:40PM  
That's for the write up and the pics. I've estimated about 75 miles total. Is that a fair estimate?
02/18/2011 06:33AM  
I posted Day 8.

Not sure about the trip distance, I may calculate it later. 75 miles seems like a good guestimate.
GraniteCliffs
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02/18/2011 07:46AM  
I can not wait to see what time your "early start" turns out to be tomorrow!
It is so odd that our paths were so close just days apart. We wanted the campsite on Robinson you stayed on, but it was taken by a solo guy. We found the northern island site empty and stayed there instead. We actually talked to the portage crew you mentioned. We heard the chainsaw before we saw them.
Now I see you are headed through Kett. I am looking forward to your campsite selection if you stayed there.
02/18/2011 11:46AM  
Thanks for posting a great trip report Ho Ho! I really like that it is broken up by day. Just the right amount to digest along with coffee in the morning.

The photography is great.

I believe the plant with the red berries from Day 8 is False Lily-of-the-Valley (Maianthemum canadense). I am really curious what kind of mushroom that gold one that looked like a rising weather balloon is. It is great looking at flora that close to the ground that sometimes goes unnoticed.

Looking forward to Monday's installment.
jbartstanley
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02/18/2011 01:44PM  
Thanks for the update.
02/21/2011 07:43AM  
I have now posted Day 9.

And thanks for the comments guys.

GC - As you will see in today's episode, we didn't camp on Kett - an omission that will be remedied in the future. Did you do a report of your trip?

Zulu - That was the ID from botanyguy on the CCBB too. He used a different common name, but the same scientific name. I wonder what it looks like when flowering?



bojibob
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02/21/2011 08:19AM  
Bill,

We took the same way home in 1980. Todays report brought back alot of memories of the "Mile High Lake" and the two Kett "Super Highway" portages.

I thought I would share two of my photos that I took of my crew crossing.








Beemer01
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02/21/2011 10:02AM  
Bravo - I know some of the route you took - always fun to remember especially with that wonderful autumn light in the pictures.

Thanks for taking the time and effort to create this report!
GraniteCliffs
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02/21/2011 12:54PM  
The pictures of Chris heading off into the mist are stunning. Your report is terrific. I really like the entire Robinson to Basswood trek. It has some interesting portages with moss, uphill and that feeling of being up high.
No, I have not advanced to doing trip reports. Heck, I do not even take pictures on trips----leaving that task to others. Besides, any effort I might make would pale in comparison to the Ho Ho reports.
02/22/2011 04:55AM  
Ho Ho, can you tell me where or how to get those nice maps that you have at the start of every page? And what program do you use to manipulate them? Your system is the cleanest and easiest to read that I've seen. Nicely done.

02/22/2011 06:33AM  
I have now posted Day 10. Note: I'll add "Reflections" tomorrow.

And thanks for the comments on Day 9. I love your old pictures, bojibob. I assume the beaver pond was not there 30 years ago. Over on the CCBB someone posted that it flooded the path earlier this decade.

TomT, I use the public-domain maps provided by azalea at this link. The ones I use are under the heading "The Individual Canadian Topos" at that page. (Azalea also has various public domain BWCA maps at this link.) The Canadian topos are big files so you need an decent computer to work with them. For each day of the report, I copy and crop the appropriate map (stitching components from two or more maps together if needed). Then I draw in the route, add the labels, and export a copy suitable for web posting on Adobe Photoshop Elements 6, which I got free somewhere. It's a little labor intensive, and someone more tech-savvy than me might have an easier solution, but that's what I do.

02/22/2011 07:51AM  
quote Ho Ho: TomT, I use the public-domain maps provided by azalea "


Thanks! I saved some on my drive and played with them in my paint and digital image suite programs. I think I can make it work with my very limited knowledge. Splicing maps together might give me the most difficulty but I'll cross that bridge when the time comes. :)

02/22/2011 08:08AM  
I love this line from day 10 - "But soon the eastern sky was lit by the rosy fingers of dawn"

Nothing better than watching the sun rise with a hot cup of Jo. :)

GraniteCliffs
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02/22/2011 10:23PM  
Wonderful report.
02/23/2011 06:32AM  
Thanks, guys! I've now posted the last installment of the report, "Reflections." Direct link here.


02/23/2011 06:43AM  
Bravo!

With all the free time you will be having you might consider doing a presentation of your trips at Canoecopia or even putting out a book.

I do have a query though - why don't we ever hear from David? Is he the Teller to your Penn? :)

Best of luck in your new adventure as a Minnesotian.





02/23/2011 07:27AM  
Ho Ho - Thanks for the great Trip Report. You really did a great job creating it!

I really liked the descriptions and photos of how rugged some of the portages were. I am glad the wind, rain and cooler weather didn't dampen your spirits during the trip. The maps are great also.

Congratulations on your semi-retirement and relocation to Ely. I look forward to more of your Trip Reports.
GraniteCliffs
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02/23/2011 10:09AM  
Well done. I wish you well in your new life.
Perhaps someday I will run into you on a Quetico portage.
02/23/2011 12:07PM  
Great report Ho Ho. Like others, I've looked forward to the next daily installment of the report over these last couple weeks. Good luck to you in your new state of employment. Perhaps our paths will cross some day.
NDpaddler
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02/23/2011 12:18PM  
Reading Ho Ho's trip reports are like reading a good book while sipping bourbon (Makers Mark, of course): they both go down nice and smooth.

Seriously, no one, and I mean NO ONE, writes a trip report like Ho Ho.

Well done!
02/23/2011 12:50PM  
I wasn't really thinking about spring and soft water until this report made it all so tangible. Now it's constantly on my mind. Thanks a lot for making the next couple of months so difficult to endure. ;-)
02/24/2011 06:54AM  
Another great trip report. 1100 photos...?! I have been chastised. I loved the pictures of Isabella on day 2 and the day 9 morning pictures. Perhaps one day I'll make it up there to Isabella.
bojibob
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02/24/2011 01:29PM  
Bill & David,

Thanks for taking me along on another wonderful ride. It was nice to see you guys actually eat something other than pancakes or freeze dried junk and the big shocker is you actually made a fire!

Congratulation on the semi-retirement and I hope we can connect in August.

p.s. Time to get to work on the book :-)
02/24/2011 05:48PM  
Fun read! Man, you take a lot of photos!
wawasee
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02/25/2011 09:36AM  
Ho Ho great trip report as usual and wonderful pictures. I am sad to say that my son and I cannot trip it this year due to other obligations. But it warms my heart to read the adventures of others. Enjoy your move to Ely and God Bless you.
02/25/2011 10:29AM  
Thanks, everyone!

Uncle Moose - hang in there. soft water is only two months or so away. :-)
02/25/2011 08:25PM  
HoHo-- I enjoyed this report a bunch. The beautiful photos in the middle of a very long winter were amazing to look at.
Thanks so much for sharing. You are a trip report master. :-)
RatherBePaddling
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03/06/2011 08:26AM  
Great report. I'm working on my first report and would like to know how you get your pictures to show up big in the report. When I add mine they are just little and one has to double click on them to really see them.

Thanks.
03/06/2011 10:19AM  
Ratherbe -

I use photobucket.com to host my pictures. I have a paid ("pro") Photobucket account so there are no limits on the size of photofiles or bandwidth, but there are also free accounts that I suggest trying first if you want to do this. Edit and resize your pictures before uploading to Photobucket. You may need to experiment a little. Then you just paste the link into your report and the picture shows up here full sized. Photobucket offers you several links for use in different kinds of websites. The one you want for bwca.com is is the one with "img" in brackets at the beginning and end. Let me know if that works for you.

Ho Ho


bear bait
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03/06/2011 11:58PM  
Wow!!

great report and pics.
 
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