BWCA Looking for Suggestions/Recommendations Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
   Trip Planning Forum
      Looking for Suggestions/Recommendations     
 Forum Sponsor

Author

Text

PapaBob
Guest Paddler
  
02/24/2017 07:49PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Years ago I pastored a church in St Paul, MN and would accompany the youth groups each summer on a week long trip to the BWCA. Now, living in Wisconsin and nearing retirement I would like to take each of my 5 grandchildren (one at a time) to the BWCA in the summer of their 12 year. My oldest grandchild turns 12 next year and 2018 will be the first of those trips. (my grandkids are all two years apart - so it will be a trip I repeat every other year) This summer, I plan to take a 'dry run' (no pun intended) with my brother to find a 5-day canoe route that will provide a bit of everything for the experience (i.e. paddling, portaging, fishing, swimming, hiking, wildlife, etc.) I plan to find an outfitter on the Gunflint Trail that can offer complete package outfitting for this initial run and am looking for suggestions and recommendations.

I'm all ears!
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next
SevenofNine
distinguished member(2472)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/24/2017 08:09PM  
I like an out and back trip from Cross Bay down to Long Island or Cherokee lake. Tuscarora outfitter would be an excellent choice.
ericb309
senior member (89)senior membersenior member
  
02/24/2017 09:26PM  
quote PapaBob: "Years ago I pastored a church in St Paul, MN and would accompany the youth groups each summer on a week long trip to the BWCA. Now, living in Wisconsin and nearing retirement I would like to take each of my 5 grandchildren (one at a time) to the BWCA in the summer of their 12 year. My oldest grandchild turns 12 next year and 2018 will be the first of those trips. (my grandkids are all two years apart - so it will be a trip I repeat every other year) This summer, I plan to take a 'dry run' (no pun intended) with my brother to find a 5-day canoe route that will provide a bit of everything for the experience (i.e. paddling, portaging, fishing, swimming, hiking, wildlife, etc.) I plan to find an outfitter on the Gunflint Trail that can offer complete package outfitting for this initial run and am looking for suggestions and recommendations.

I'm all ears! "

You want each of your grand kids to experience the same route?

I would go in East Bearskin. Tons of walleye in Crocodile. some of the best falls at Johnson Falls. Other unique fishing like splake, and some relative isolation camping on either Crystal or Pierz lake. I am told an old mine can be explored on Spaulding, but can't give first hand info on that.

all of the above is easy portages as well, however, if want to push on with your canoe and gear past Johnson Falls and do a circle route, that is a fun hike, but a brutal portage.

As for outfitters, I love when you can outfit with someone on the lake you are on. So Bearskin Lodge and Outfitters is where to go. The owner I dealt with was great, but he sold a few years ago. I have always had great experiences with all the outfitters though.
SaganagaJoe
distinguished member(2113)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/24/2017 11:07PM  
It definitely makes sense to buy your own gear if you know for sure you're going to do this with all your grandkids. That's just it - by the time you pay for a full outfitting, depending on what package you get, you might as well buy some of your own gear, maybe even now. After 5 or 6 trips most of it will pay for itself - and if your grandkids get the bug (like I did when my grandpa introduced me to the BWCA) that gear will be in use for a long time. Hit up Walmart in the camping section and get yourself a couple of canteens, plastic plates and silverware, and go to Goodwill and get a cheap non-stick fry pan and small pot. Do you have a tent in the garage you haven't used in years? You get my drift. We can help you here to think of everything you need.

I worked with Seagull Outfitters for a full outfitting and wasn't disappointed with the experience, although what they charged us per day for food was (I thought) a tad steep. Bringing your own food really cuts down on the costs.

As for the route, the Saganaga to Seagull route made for 5 long days, lots of variety, etc. When they're that young you kinda want to keep them moving, and assuming that there are only 2 or 3 of you you'll move a lot faster than we did (we had a big group).

02/25/2017 12:52AM  
Your story is familiar, but it was my nephew I was taking, and that is when I found this site. You have time to read and plan, once you have become familiar with what is available here start including the grandchild to go in the planning. Consider their conditioning, and yours a few years from now, and all those other things.
East Bearskin does have a lot to offer, including some nice dead end lakes where you will have more privacy. Make sure to check them out early as they usually have only one or two sites and if taken you can be stuck.
And I agree with not the same place to allow each to have their own stories, and you to explore all this special wilderness has to offer. I have been in many areas and found each to have its own special something. Different trips will give the grand kids stories to share and hopefully trips they take in the future to share with each other those building of memories and relationships opportunities you seek to develop.
Use patterns are fairly predictable with heavy early season and fishing trips leading into bug season when use lightens up a bit. As it warms crowds increase until school starts. Then it can be really great for awhile, perhaps a trip for yourself.
Look at permit use patterns for the entry points to places you might want to go. You will get an idea of when you might want to make the reservation based on how they are filling up. Lots of people going in means more competition for the better camp sites.

rec.gov
scramble4a5
distinguished member(586)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/25/2017 09:38PM  
The folks at either Tuscarora Outfitters or Clearwater Laje are great people. Either one will fix you up fir a great trip.
02/25/2017 09:55PM  
quote SevenofNine: "I like an out and back trip from Cross Bay down to Long Island or Cherokee lake. Tuscarora outfitter would be an excellent choice."

Nice suggestion. Bunkhouse and breakfast at the outfitter. Protected waters from wind. Sand beaches. Decent fishing.
02/26/2017 11:49AM  
That's a nice idea, PapaBob. First, a couple of general suggestions:

(1) Register as a member and include in your email address in your profile as some people may want to contact you directly.

(2) At the bottom of the main messageboard is a group of special interest forums. One of them is canoeing with kids. Join that one - you will find a lot of experienced people and useful advice there.

If I understand correctly, each trip will be you and one grandchild. The first trip will be 2018 and the last 2026. Each child will be 12 at the time of the trip.

You have probably already considered this, but some things you'll need to consider from a safety standpoint are (and each will be different) the child's portage and paddle strength, as well as their ability to help with handling an emergency situation. You will be 8 years older on the last trip and 9 years older than you are now. You may want to have a back up like a SPOT, PLB, InReach, or Sat Phone.

The dry run will give you some idea of what it will be like for you, but the kids will not be the portaging and paddling help that your brother will be.

I would consider doing your own food. Children can be picky eaters at that age; you may have to vary the menu for each. You will know what you like and how much you need - no use in carrying a bunch of extra weight around since food is heavy.

You may want to consider outfitting yourself with the basic gear - tent, 2 sleeping bags/pads, stove, etc. This has the advantage that you are familiar with it from year to year. Then you can fill in the gaps, such as portage packs, by renting from the outfitter and splurging on the lightest canoe possible.

Good luck with the planning, preparations, and trips! Just keep asking questions.
Grandma L
distinguished member(5628)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
02/26/2017 02:33PM  
I have a similar story. Each of the kids started at 12ish with a base camp trip and fishing. The problem started when they each wanted to go back the next year.

I have 4 grand kids who now each want a trip each summer. I am lucky to have a son and daughter-in-law who help me make all these trips happen. The kids progress from base camp trips to travel to challenging. The older ones (college types) are now going mostly on their own. I just outfit, do their food and some times provide the shuttle. I still go on the trips with the younger ones, outfit the group with gear and food, drive up and back from the Metro several times.

As for outfitting - I suggest like other have said - buy and or borrowing what you can. Used gear is not too expensive. If they really like the trips and want to go back - you will need that equipment again and again.
Grandma L
distinguished member(5628)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
02/26/2017 02:48PM  
Oh, I forgot - Welcome, PapaBob - please take a minute and become a member - no pain or money is involved. Fill out the information so we get your e- mail address and can send info to you directly. We have members from all over the country - you might even have some in your neighborhood.
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next