Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Winter Camping and Activities :: Camping on the Lake?
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George |
I am only trying to point out that it is a preferred practice to stay off campsites. You'd be amazed at how many awesome sites are available in the winter with TONS of great firewood, if you look. There seems to be a lot of ignorance about the preferred practices of winter camping and the practices that cause the least amount of damage. One board member recently complained about a fire that was lite up by the shore line (this is actually the preferred method because it will not scar the ground). It might be an eyesore till the next snow, but it will be 100% gone come spring. PS: Truth be told...I have used established campsites in the winter on occasion, although it is the exception and not the rule. |
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GreatBigCubsFan |
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DanCooke |
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Tigers10 |
I prefer to camp on the established campsites due to the reasons listed above. However, many of the campsites are designed to for summer use on high on points/islands with good views and open to keep bugs at bay. Not exactly the greatest spots for winter camping. Unless we get some snow, camping on the ice will not be an option due to the recent rains (glare ice/crappy snow). Good luck. |
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Dan Cooke |
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GreatBigCubsFan |
quote awbrown: "Camping on the lake is fine, just choose a site that can shelter you from the wind.....you're worst enemy whilst winter camping."D Good point, I'm going to be looking for that perfect spot, which will keep me out of the wing , but on the fish? |
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George |
The following is from the USDA - Forest Service - Boundary Waters Trip Planning Guide . Scroll down to the section called "Choose a Campsite". Wilderness rules and regulations (see Page 5) apply year-round. Even though the BWCAW has a beautiful white protective coat on in the winter we still need to take care to Leave No Trace. TRAVEL PERMITS Permits are required year-round for all visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. For day or overnight travel from October 1–April 30, it’s easy! Fill out a selfissued permit at any Superior National Forest office, or at a BWCAW entry point. Carry one copy with you during the trip and drop the other copy in the permit box at the entry point. Choose a Campsite • On the ice, in a protected bay, or in a natural forest opening such as a swamp. • At least 150-200 feet from trails, summer campsites or other groups. • Make just one trail connecting the shoreline to camp. • Bury human waste in snow 150-200 feet from water, campsites, summer trails and portages (pack out toilet paper). Campfires It is preferable to make a campfire on the ice to minimize fire scars on rocks and shorelines. Use base logs or a portable fire pan for your campfire on the ice. Use a campstove or fire pan for a campfire on land to avoid leaving fire scars on vegetation or rocks. • Collect only dead and down wood far from shorelines, trails or campsites. • Make sure your fire is out cold to the touch when you leave. • Scatter ashes in the woods away from the shoreline and cover the campfire scar with snow. Live Vegetation Do not cut green vegetation for tent poles, bedding for humans or dogs, or to create new dogsled trails. Reduce Dog Impacts • Keep dogs under control at all times. • To avoid damaging or “girdling” trees with rope when staking out dogs, use webbing straps around tree and attach dog picket line to webbing. • Tether teams out on the ice with ice screws to avoid damaging shoreline vegetation. • Never bring hay or straw for bedding because they introduce non-native plants. • Scatter dog feces in the woods at least 150-200 feet from the water’s edge. Keep the entry points clean for others by picking up feces before and after hitting the trail. |
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Tigers10 |
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awbrown |
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GreatBigCubsFan |
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Kiporby |
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GreatBigCubsFan |
quote motdur: "Yes...the following is copied from the Superior National Forest Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Trip Planning Guide Thanks for the help, I was getting confused when I was reading up on fishing regs! Bill |
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Corsair |
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motdur |
Choose a Campsite • When lakes are open, camp at designated sites using firegrates and latrines. • When lakes are frozen, camp on ice, in a sheltered bay, or in a natural forest opening. Locate camp at least 150 feet from trails or summer campsites, and out of sight of other groups. • Make just one trail connecting the shoreline to camp. • Bury human waste in snow 150-200 feet from water, campsites, summer trails and portages (pack out toilet paper). |
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Minnesotian |
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Harison |
Choose which items are more essential for this trip, get map of the area, aware all the possible info which help me out in choosing best spot for my camping, told my home person about my plan and most important keep cell phone in care of emergency. |
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OBX2Kayak |
quote DanCooke: "Camping on lakes can be dangerous if you get slush /overflow that happens. waking up wet would be my worst nightmare." +1 It's bad (voice of experience speaking). |
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Soledad |
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Soledad |
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PortageKeeper |
Either way, having some snow under your tent can give you a little warning as to weather you need to move camp because of snow load forcing water on top of the ice. Slush usually happens in the center of the lake first. Eventually, the ice floats back up, and the water flows to the edge of the lake where the ice is still attached to shore. The snow insulates it from freezing for a loooong time. |
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2old4U |
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George |
All tha being said, I do think it should be stated that even though we are STRONGLY encouraged to camp away from summer sites, any fires made will leave a scar for many, many years (like Dan mentioned). Therefore, they encourage us to make all fires on the lake. Try making a fire on the lake someday, not much fun, but I used to do it every year (prior to my hot tent). One more reason to bring a hot tent I guess! |
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George |
Good luck and have fun! |