Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Looking for something new
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cburton103 |
billconner: "If you could consider the Quetico, I'd recommend Canoe Country Outfitters and tow from their Moose Lake base to Prairie Portage, and head to Kashapiwi. It hits all your priorities: serenity and peacefulness, good views and fishing. " Another vote for Quetico. Much better chances of solitude and good fishing there. Although, with only four or five days (three or four nights), I think you'd be hard pressed to make a trip to Kahshapiwi worth it. Beautiful lake with good fishing, but a real bear to get to with tons of portages. A good number of the portages are pretty rugged as well, and a few long ones. I'd consider paddling in hard one good day up into the Man Chain. Base camp there all trip and fish, then head out. |
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A1t2o |
The nice thing about Sawbill is that most people tend to head to Alton instead of going in deeper. Once you get past the first hour of travel, you don't tend to see as many people. |
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Tman |
As for outfitters, I have heard good things about all of the sponsors of this site. Having said that, our group has had outstanding service from Piragis and I highly recommend them. When you will be trekking makes some difference on the best places to go. If during peak season, my favorite area for solitude and views has been Boulder and Adams Lakes. Given your criteria, in peak season I'd probably avoid the numbered lakes and the Mudro area due to their popularity and crowds. However, they are popular for a reason and I would target them in shoulder seasons. There are certainly more experienced people on this board and you will get more good suggestions. Good luck and have fun! |
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thlipsis29 |
If that doesn't work, Little Indian Sioux north (EP 14) can get you into some very nice areas as well. I only need to rent canoes, but have become a loyal customer of Spirit of the Wilderness because they've earned my business. I know many of the outfitters on the Ely side are top-notch so it probably just comes down to some personal preferrences. |
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anthonylane |
Tman: "Can't help on the Gunflint side as I have only gone out of Ely. (I'll probably be asking your question in reverse for my next trip.) Thanks TMAN. We are thinking an early June trip. |
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Lightfoot |
The first day you will travel through some area hit by the Cavity Lake and Ham Lake fires. By the time you get to Gillis, you're pretty much out of it. The first day's travel can be a bit tough, but that helps keep the crowds down a bit. |
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schweady |
anthonylane: "Thanks for the feedback all. I have a route here that I think look nice given the short duration of this trip. It's not a challenging route, but it seems like one that will get us in quick and offer tons of day trip opportunities. Gabbro seems like a solid lake with a lot of quality sites. Snake lives up to its name. It takes a good bit of time per mile. We entered there once and wound up basing on Bald Eagle. After two full day trips traveling to Gabbro to fish, we finally found the walleye on the third day... right in front of our BE site... |
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anthonylane |
Couple of questions: 1. Any other reputable and recommended outfitters worth trying that are off the Gunflint? 2. We are considering Ely in order to hit an entirely new part of the BWCA. Looking for recommendations for outfitters there. There are many, I'd like to know of 2-3 that come highly recommended. 3. If we do Ely, what are some must see and must avoid lakes? We crave serenity and peacefulness, good views and fishing. We don't mind getting deep to access this if need be. We are young and fit and don't mind long portages. Our trips usually go from Wed-Saturday or Sunday and we prefer at least two nights of basecamping in order to get in some good fishing. Thanks all! |
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jwartman59 |
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billconner |
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billconner |
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anthonylane |
billconner: "Great choice. If you have time, consider a day trip through Gull, Pietro, Camdre, Clearwater, and Turtle. " Thanks, that's exactly what I'm looking at. Looks like many options out of Gabbro. |
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carmike |
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hexnymph |
2. Ely outfitting Co., Voyager North 3. Enter Snowbank and go North-East. Knife and Kekekabic are worth the visit and the travel there is interesting terrain. Hex |
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anthonylane |
Thoughts? Snake River to Little Gabbro Lake: http://bit.ly/2o9S0yG |
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gymcoachdon |
I also used the Stuart River entry, about 1.5 miles from the lot to the river. It was an easy walk though, and scares quite a few away from the entry point. One permit per day means you might see someone heading out, but you will be the only group heading in. Stuart Lake is nice, with a couple 4/5 star sites, and decent fishing. Day two, you could head through Fox, Dark, Rush, (maybe out of order!) to Iron lake for some great fishing. Allow 2 days to head back through LLC, Agnes, Nina Moose, and out Moose River. |
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QJohnson |
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billconner |
anthonylane: "I appreciate the replies, thank you. Regarding the Q, I don't think we have enough time to make a trip there. I would like to do a full 7 day immersion. " I have done numerous 5 and 6 day Q trips, and one 3 day. The nice thing is nearly instant solitude - by middle of first day - compared to BWCAW in season. But costs more and a little more advance work - passports and RABCs. I understand wanting to find a longer slot but don't put it off too long. It is different than BWCAW. |
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treehorn |
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QuietWaters |
In Ely, we've had great service from Voyageur North and Echo Trail Outfitters. Except for the Angleworm entry, we've only done easy trips out of Ely, so I'll let others give you suggestions for routes. |
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anthonylane |
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mfl1776 |
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Northwoodsman |
One option is EP #50, Cross Bay Lake to Long Island for a night, then Frost or Cherokee for a couple nights then a couple of nights on the other lake (Frost or Cherokee) then head back to the original EP. Another option is to put in at #50 Cross Bay Lake and head back to Poplar via many of the lakes that you mentioned. And yet another option is to go on the north side of the GFT and explore Duncan, Rose, and possibly even the Border Route Trail (some scenic hiking). A couple of other options for you would be EP #37 Kawisihiwi Lake and follow the Lady Lake chain to EP #38. Or begin and end at EP #38 and head up to Cherokee and back down through the Temperance lakes and Weird, Jack, Kelly,Burnt and Smoke. So many choices. |
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I-Hawk |
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