A question for those who have entered the Q thru PP: Given that we have our permit, our RABC's, and our fishing licenses...all we need to do is check in w/ the Ranger and pay our camping fees....right? My question is.....do all of us (4) have to trek over the portage to the Ranger, or can one person go over in behalf of the group (w/ credit card and names) and pay the fees???

Well you all need to cross the portage if you want to get to Quetico.The cabin is on the Basswood Lake side. So if you come up Moose, you gotta portage. It's only something like 40 rods.

If you come from Basswood there is no portage, the cabin is on the lake.

This is sort of a confusing question. Are you camping with outlaws?

Sorry, I wasn't clear....we're staying on this side of PP and paddling out east toward Knife Lake. Our gear is not going over the portage.

only one needs to go across if he/she is paying all the camping fees. they arent customs so they dont check for rabc's.

In fact it seems to irritate the rangers when a large group comes in all at once, especially if their voices are loud. We typically have one one guy go in simply because it is quicker even if we have portaged all of our stuff over.

Last time I crossed at PP, we were going to Emerald that night, so six of the 8 of us went across, leaving 2 at the canoes. The ranger made us bring the other 2 across.

My experience is more like eyedocron - at least some want to give the whole speech to everyone.

what speech?

The speech is the burn your tp, how to dispose of fish remains, etc. It is a good idea to talk with new folks especially about some of the basic park rules.
It is always interesting to show up at PP since you are never sure what type of reception you will get, what they will say or even when they are open or not. Everything there seems to vary from year to year and certainly even within the same year. I suspect if you are a regular you are not subjected to the same speech as someone who has not been there much.
I normally get along fine with the two regular rangers and even had one do us a huge favor on one trip. On the other hand I have seen some rather abrupt language with visitors that are new to the park. My last interaction, however, left more than a little to be desired. Customer service was not very apparent. Stone cold resentment was very evident when I showed up when she did not expect me and my arrival interrupted her doing some other work outside. I simply wanted to pick up my permit during business hours and asked nicely and tried to be personable to no avail. Yikes!
A good business model for an organization that is committed to building business would be to spend a little time and effort on good, friendly customer service.

Since you're a captive audience, they don't care about your opinion of customer service. Best to show up and just answer their questions.

quote Eyedocron: "Last time I crossed at PP, we were going to Emerald that night, so six of the 8 of us went across, leaving 2 at the canoes. The ranger made us bring the other 2 across."

Same thing happened to us in 2012. I'm sure it has something to do with the position of the moon.

I don't use Prairie much but every time they wanted the whole group present for the little presentation on packing out TP etc...

There used to be a Male Ranger that could be a real jerk at times then other times he was great, almost like until you were a regular he was going to treat you like an idiot.

He did apologize one time, but I think only because the other Ranger said something and apologized for his poor customer service first. Weird...

T

I think it varies. Sometimes they want everyone there. Sometimes they don't care. I usually travel with a party of two, and then they don't seem to care. At times they have asked where the other person is, but if I say "he's with the gear" or "he's portaging the gear," they are fine. I think they want everyone there more often when it is a large group of they think it's a group of/with rookies, so they can make sure everyone understands the rules.

BTW, I have exactly the same experience when I pick up a permit for a solo or a two-person trip for a BWCA trip at the ranger station in Ely. They don't make me watch the video or care if the other person is there. Larger groups, or groups they think are unexperienced, they want everyone to be there. It's a subjective judgment on the ranger's part, and no doubt stereotypes and preconceptions play a role.

thank you all for your responses. Sounds like different experiences for different groups. I'll be prepared to go either way...and let you know what happens. thanks again.

quote Ho Ho: "
I think it varies. Sometimes they want everyone there. Sometimes they don't care. I usually travel with a party of two, and then they don't seem to care. At times they have asked where the other person is, but if I say "he's with the gear" or "he's portaging the gear," they are fine. I think they want everyone there more often when it is a large group of they think it's a group of/with rookies, so they can make sure everyone understands the rules.

BTW, I have exactly the same experience when I pick up a permit for a solo or a two-person trip for a BWCA trip at the ranger station in Ely. They don't make me watch the video or care if the other person is there. Larger groups, or groups they think are unexperienced, they want everyone to be there. It's a subjective judgment on the ranger's part, and no doubt stereotypes and preconceptions play a role.



"

HO HO-the BWCA station Rangers gets to recognize when Old Timers(at least me) come in and start a little light conversation) plus we get to know some of them over the years. They know,been there done that before. Also they kind of know who maybe the slobs in the woods will be and who really cares about there actions and how it effects others.

Forgive me for not remembering the of one Ranger's name but she works out of the KAWISHIWI office and over the years you kind of get to know them also. Her husband and her are big Gopher football fans with season tickets for many years and we always talk about the gophers. Very friendly and positive,and it also makes a canoe trip start on a positive trip when they actually appreciate seeing you.