We're being dropped off by an outfitter at hook island/american point and then paddling to the ranger station. Do we need a BWCA permit for our paddle over to the ranger station? I realize that most of it is over the border, but still. Or is this one of those grey areas and its ok as long as no one takes advantage sort of thing?

quote Goby: "We're being dropped off by an outfitter at hook island/american point and then paddling to the ranger station. Do we need a BWCA permit for our paddle over to the ranger station? I realize that most of it is over the border, but still. Or is this one of those grey areas and its ok as long as no one takes advantage sort of thing?"

They drop you off at Hook Island so you're already in Canada, therefore not day use permit necessary.

If they drop you at American Point, I'm not too sure.

Later,

Geo

The tow boat drivers have a CanPass. They take you to Hook to get you to Canada. I believe as long as you tow to there, you do not need a BW permit. They will also have to pick you up there, or you would need a BW permit (entry from Canada) if you paddle back through the US/BW.
Tell your outfitter your exact plans and they should inform you as to what you need.

Carry a blank day paddle pass as a backup. Too easy.

You don't need any special permit for the tow or the paddle to ranger station. Once you get to the ranger station your paperwork will need to be in order to get your Q permit. I've done this several times, and as recently as last summer.

Questions still? Call your outfitter.

If you paddle in bwca, you need a permit. In factf, if you are in the bwca at all, you need a permit. If you are on a tow, the tow operator has a bwca permit that covers you.

OK, the outfitter set us up, but I was just looking at the maps. They drop us at hook island, so thats Canada, so I'm covered.

If it is very windy, sometimes the outfitters will drop you off on American Point instead of Hook Island because it is too dangerous. This happened to us once a few years ago and we ended up camping on American Point that first night because there was no way we could paddle into Cache Bay with that wind. Janice the ranger understands well how the conditions can get out there, so in these cases they go with "safety first" rather than worry about when and where your permit is for.

No, you don't need a BWCA permit since they would be dropping you off in Canadian waters / Hook Island.

quote Kiporby: "If it is very windy, sometimes the outfitters will drop you off on American Point instead of Hook Island because it is too dangerous. This happened to us once a few years ago and we ended up camping on American Point that first night because there was no way we could paddle into Cache Bay with that wind. "

That explains the big campsite on the tip of American point where there is no fire grate. I stopped there last year to take a short break. I couldn't figure out why the place was so well used but had no fire grate.

-T

I personally took a tow to hook island and paddled over to Cache Bay.
Had RABC and Passport, and I would not worry about having a BWCA permit...no one will give two hoots if your actually headed to CACHE bay to head into the Q.

SunCatcher

quote Kiporby: "If it is very windy, sometimes the outfitters will drop you off on American Point instead of Hook Island because it is too dangerous. This happened to us once a few years ago and we ended up camping on American Point that first night because there was no way we could paddle into Cache Bay with that wind. Janice the ranger understands well how the conditions can get out there, so in these cases they go with "safety first" rather than worry about when and where your permit is for.


No, you don't need a BWCA permit since they would be dropping you off in Canadian waters / Hook Island."

One year, our tow could not get to Hook Island or American Point due to wind. We were dropped off on a BWCA island campsite with no permit and paddled to Cache Bay the next morning.

When conditions are bad, "safety first" is more important than permits.

If you are just passing through the BWCA to get to Canada you do not need a permit. If you are going to be staying overnight in the BWCA you need a permit.

quote SkiNorth: "If you are just passing through the BWCA to get to Canada you do not need a permit."

you do if youre paddling (day permit), you dont if youre getting a tow.

But to go from the US into Canada, you will need a Remote Area Border Crossing permit (RABC), which you can order online.

If you are in the BWCAW you need a permit. If you're getting a tow to Canada, you tow operator is presumed to have a permit which covers you. No exceptions, only scofflaws.

quote billgkna11: "But to go from the US into Canada, you will need a Remote Area Border Crossing permit (RABC), which you can order online."

order online? thats news to me. do you fax them a copy of the ID they require?

quote kanoes: "

quote billgkna11: "But to go from the US into Canada, you will need a Remote Area Border Crossing permit (RABC), which you can order online."

order online? thats news to me. do you fax them a copy of the ID they require?"

+1 in person at a very few select Canadian customs offices or, more commonly, by mail. RABC

Sorry to change topics, but I'm planning my first-ever entry through Cache Bay later this spring and I am curious about what happens if we do get windbound on the way in.

If we are forced to camp on American Point, then we'll obviously not be entering on the day on our permit. If this has happened to anyone, is it OK to enter the day after? It seems like the rangers *should* be understanding about something like this--about not wanting people to take foolish risks paddling in big waves--but rules are rules, I suppose.

i have heard she is very understanding. i wouldnt worry.