After 27 BWCA trips, I'm finally making my first overnight to Quetico. My wife and I will be entering late May for 8 nights. Despite some reservations, I think we're definitely going to utilize tows to/from Prairie Portage. We're entering Agnes where we'll likely spend two nights to check our Louisa Falls and the pictos. Then we'll try to get to Kawnipi for two nights, then head back via Kahshapiwi and eventually to North Bay and back to Prairie Portage.

Any recommendations along this route?

A great route. Late May should mean fewer people and good fishing. Many great campsites, although I am not too fond of any near Louisa Falls. If possible, head a bit further north for better sites and fewer folks.

Once you have been to Quetico, well, you will discover you did indeed drink the Kool-Aid...

You will not regret the tows to/from Prairie Portage. They save time and, if the wind is strong, the tows will save you some significant effort and keep you out of trouble.

Don't forget that there are pictographs on the west shore of Keewatin if you are going that way.

Congratulations on your graduation to Quetico! You'll be glad you did.

From Agnes to Kawnipi we did the route via the west agnes river though murdoch. Cool rapids and river through there. That way dumps you close to Mckenzie Bay on Kawnipi which has some of the better camps.

If you are then heading up to the K Chain from Kawnipi be careful around the falls where Kawnipi dumps into K Creek. The portage landings are in the current. Pay attention and hug the shores!

quote Ausable: "You will not regret the tows to/from Prairie Portage. They save time and, if the wind is strong, the tows will save you some significant effort and keep you out of trouble.

Don't forget that there are pictographs on the west shore of Keewatin if you are going that way."

I've given up on tows, but if the wind is strong and troublesome on Moose, Bayley Bay will be much worse. If bad, just bite the bullet and do the portage to Poacher. Besides skipping Bayley, good bragging rights.

Awesome route, just plan a little to get thru Agnes. There can be some good waves. Get an early start that day, or if you get one of those glass calm days, take advantage of it.

We worked both the east and west side to avoid the wind. We have had glass calm days making Agnes my favorite lake in canoe country when calm. Also the south end is super gorgeous and been told the south end is the deepest water in Quetico.

Been there both in the winter and summer.

I want to leave myself flexibility but I was originally planning on spending three nights on Kawnipi and trying to get down to Kashshahpiwi in a day but that might be over-ambitious. Any thoughts on preference between camping on Cairn or Sark?

One lake I wished I spent more time is Keefer at the north end.

I'm glad you finally walked into the light. Agnes is wonderful, I wasn't really fond of Kawnipi...parts are just plain ugly. Sections of Kahs are old burn too but it didn't bother me.

quote kanoes: "I'm glad you finally walked into the light. Agnes is wonderful, I wasn't really fond of Kawnipi...parts are just plain ugly. Sections of Kahs are old burn too but it didn't bother me."

I'm just hoping we can get a decent ways up Agnes on Day 1 so we can stay put the first two nights. Want a full day to explore the pictos. Plus, the second day will be my b-day. Not a bad place to spend it. ;)

Any thoughts on campsites on Keewatin?

quote landoftheskytintedwater: "Any thoughts on campsites on Keewatin?"

The small peninsula next to the south portage may be your best option.

Though it's been a few years ago I have camped several times on the site right at Louisa Falls. But that was in the summer when swimming in the falls was a priority. Given that you're going in May just make a quick stop at the falls then get further north on Agnes.
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