Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Good Loop for Novices on Brule?
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sedges |
Given that several of the portages are rough and will be especially dicey in wet weather with wet rocks to negotiate I would , as novices, give special attention to good footwear. |
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scramble4a5 |
South Temperance is a nice spot. Just my opinion but I would not think it wise to have two inexperienced paddlers in the same canoe on Brule. |
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boonie |
I don't know. I don't know you and your crew of novices or their expectations, mental attitude, physical abilities. I don't even know how much of what a BW trip entails -paddling, portaging, camping - that they are novices at doing. It's not a long route as far as mileage goes, even double portaging, so certainly reasonable from that standpoint. There are some challenges as Northwoodsman and others pointed out. They wouldn't be insurmountable, depending on how much of a "challenge" they are up to. I like Northwoodsman's suggestion of the Lady Chain from Kawishiwi Lake to Sawbill as a nice but slightly less challenging trip. It's about the same mileage, maybe 4 miles longer. |
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MerakiPaddler |
Might be a little difficult to do in four days but here is a loop I did with a group two years ago. |
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1stMarDiv |
I wanted to get some your thoughts on a proposed loop. I am considering starting at EP41 on Brule, then going to South Temperance - North Temperance - Sitka - Cherokee - Town - Vesper - Cam, and back to Brule. In your opinion, is this a reasonable loop for a couple of novices to take on in 4-5 days? Are there any other loops starting from Brule that you would recommend in lieu of my proposed route? I am really looking for great scenery and good campsites, with fishing as a minor consideration. |
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Northwoodsman |
Another route in the area that is a good 3 - 4 day route is the Lady Lake Chain - starting at #37 Kawishiwi and going up to Polly, and back to the east through Hazel, Phoebe, Grace, Beth, Alton, and finishing at Sawbill. This would require 2 vehicles or a shuttle from Sawbill Outfitters. Beware Alton is another dangerous lake in winds. Winds are most prevelant late morning through the afternoon. #39 Baker Lake EP is another good starting and finishing point for the first loop that I mentioned. |
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Blatz |
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carmike |
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dasunt |
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nofish |
If you do paddle Brule plan your trip so that you are entering as early in the morning as possible before the winds pick up. On your return leg of the trip you'll at least be going east which if the prevailing west winds are kind to you will give you a nice boost on the way back to the EP. However, be mindful of that not always working out as you planned. My worst BWCA paddle was heading east on Brule back to the EP on our take out day, got unlucky and faced a nasty east wind the entire way. I have no desire to recreate that paddle. Given all the feedback here you'll have to make your own determination if this loop matches your abilities. I wouldn't worry about portages assuming you're in relatively decent shape. A good attitude and reasonable conditioning will get you across any portage in the BWCA even if you're a novice. Only time I'd really worry about portages is if you have some sort of physical limitation that needs to be accounted for. When it comes to paddling then I'd be more mindful of matching your ability level to the waters you'll be paddling. A novice paddler in rough conditions can lead to a dangerous situation with far more serious consequences than a novice on a portage. |
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sns |
So kinda depends on your novices...strong, eager for a challenge? Then maybe yes. Zero canoeing experience just looking to have a wilderness camping experience? Perhaps a different route. My $.02... |