Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: FL to BWCA planning
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boonie |
It's important to think about your route and portaging your gear if that's not something you are used to, and I'm assuming it's not. I double portage, which means I carry the canoe and a small pack on one trip, then I walk back and get the heavier pack. That means I walk a half mile portage 3X (1.5 miles), 2 of them with a 40-45 lb. load. I drive and if you have the time and decide to do that, feel free to email me for some information. I think many people who fly have their stuff shipped by UPS, etc. The outfitter would depend on where you plan to enter - they don't service all entry points since it's a LONG way from the eastern side of the BW to the western side. The key is to determine your entry point and your needs, then choose the outfitter who meets your needs and is close to your entry point. I did my first trips on the west side on the Echo Trail out of Ely, but have done most of them on the east off the Gunflint Trail or Sawbill Trail. There are good trips to be done in all areas. From Duluth it's about the same time to Ely or Grand Marais. The drive along the North Shore of Lake Superior on the way to Grand Marais is beautiful, and is especially nice if you have extra time to stop at some of the places. Avoiding crowds in August will primarily require traveling deeper over some longer/more difficult portages or using less popular entries and areas. |
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Bowdier69 |
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inspector13 |
You complicate your planning and costs 10-fold by combining BWCAW and Quetico trips. For your first time, you should do one or the other. Cost structure and permitting are different, and you’d be crossing an international border, which comes with its own set of difficulties. By waiting until September, you will avoid any "crowds". Since you’re coming from Florida and looking forward to seeing new country, go to the east end. To get there you will be traveling the rugged North Shore of Lake Superior, which in itself is a destination. |
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mjmkjun |
Early to mid-September is better. Almost completely bugless and crowd-free at the BWCA east end entry points. Grand Marais is a pretty, quaint town to visit. Close to the beginning of the Gunflint Trail. Touristy but not in an overwhelming sense. |
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johndku |
We have about a 16 hour drive to the outfitter we usually use on the Gunflint Trail. The first estimated 14 hours of the drive takes us about 14 hours. The last of what should be 2 hours take us about 6 hours. |
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Bowdier |
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Bowdier |
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Chicagored |
I have used Voyager North and Canoe Country Outfitters and recommend them both. On the other hand, as others have said, all the outfitters probably provide excellent service. If they didn't, people would hear about it and the outfitter would not stay in business. Any outfitter you pick would be happy to give you route guidance and fishing advice for a trip that would meet your needs. As a first trip, with good fishing, I would recommend going in at EP16, going through Agnes into Lac la Croix to Lady Boot Bay, then in to Ge be, down to Oyster and back out at 16. This will give you a chance to experience big water, small water, and great fishing opportunities. If this is your first time, you might want to consider full outfitting to see how its done, because a canoe camping trip is a little different that backpacking. Two exceptions to full outfitting is I think you would be better off bringing your own food, and your own sleeping bag if you have a lightweight one. For sure you should rent a canoe pack if you don't already have one. |
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Bowdier |
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boonie |
I have used several outfitters on both sides of the BW and been happy with all, BUT I've mostly only rented canoes (and bunkhouses) and used my own equipment and done my own food, so I can't speak directly to anything else. One outfitter's kevlar Wenonah canoe is pretty much like another's and bunkhouses are pretty basic with some slight differences; I don't know about other stuff. I have used Piragis and Voyageur North Outfitters (VNO) in Ely, Sawtooth Outfitters in Tofte, and Rockwood Outfitters on Poplar Lake on the Gunflint Trail. I have heard good things about many other outfitters and rarely anything negative about anyone. Not necessarily a negative, but I have heard you usually get plenty of food to carry around! :) Although I wouldn't expect a problem, I'd probably double check that all gear (and food) rented is there and useable. Some people have left behind things they weren't going to use to lighten the load and you may want to do so also. You probably don't need a guide, especially if you don't plan to travel far and know how to do camp things. Make sure you know how things work - the stove, water filter, how to set up the tent, the sleeping pad, how to put the portage yoke on the canoe and shoulder it if that's new to you. Outfitters don't provide "painters", so I'd bring some rope for those for the bow and stern. |
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boonie |
I keep hoping some of those people who fly will chime in, but you might get more and better information if you post a separate thread specifically about flying with that in the title. I assume you're flying into either Minneapolis or Duluth and renting a car to drive from there? I assume you're talking white gas and not canisters, which Coleman also makes. My guess is you would be able to, especially if they rent those kind of stoves. There are probably other options along the way, especially going up the North Shore, although when I've gone to Ely, I've driven up from Two Harbors rather than through Virginia, but after Two Harbors, there's essentially nothing until Ely. I also don't know whether you can ship fuel, but doubt that you can. I'm sure you can't fly with it. People do fly, so there's a way to do it. |
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mjmkjun |
when you decide on your route/destination lake, a map to plan your route is essential. easy to pack & fly with your own gear. I did accordingly on my trip to AK last year. the way I handled the stove & fuel situation was unique on this trip. I purchased a new backpacker stove and fuel upon arrival in Anchorage and a friend (Linden3 on this site) purchased the stove from me before I departed. He was in need of a new Jetboil. Link below is an option that is not a significant loss if confiscated by TSA. Buy your canister fuel upon arrival from an outfitter and donate any unused fuel to outfitter/fellow campers. HERE |
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Bowdier |
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Bowdier |
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andym |
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mjmkjun |
The way I handled the stove & fuel situation was unique on this trip. I purchased a new JetBoil stove and fuel upon arrival in AK at REI store in Anchorage. A friend living there purchased the stove & bear spray from me the day before I departed. He was in need of a new Jetboil so that worked out well. I carried no stove/fuel/bear spray in my luggage on return flight home. sidenote: On a trip to Yellowstone years ago, I flew to Bozeman and rented a car. I was able to ship a newly purchased canister of bear spray home via USPS ground only--from a USPS postal station in Gardiner, MT. Had to double wrap the canister really well in case of any accidental leakage. Also, USPS worker had to eyeball my wrapping job before I taped up the shipping box. That was for bear spray & a small backpacker stove only. I can't comment about shipping flammables. |
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pswith5 |
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mapsguy1955 |
I go in mid September because by then I'm sick of summer and need some cool air! Can't really speak for BWCA because I want to get away from people! |
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Bowdier |
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Grandma L |
Bowdier: "Thanks.plan to fly up and back..don't want to waste the travel time driving "You should keep us posted - several of us go up and down from the Minneapolis Metro area fairly often - you might hitch a ride if you are not renting a car. |
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Bowdier69 |
Thanks |
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Grandma L |
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