Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Couples Trip
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hooky |
Thanks again for all the suggestions. |
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hooky |
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hooky |
If the ladies are in, it will also involve some time spent along the north shore. I'm assuming we'd do something like 3 nights in the BWCA and 3 nights somewhere on the north shore. I'll let the ladies figure out the north shore part, but I need to figure out a fairly straight forward 3 night trip without a lot of long, hard portages. I'd be looking for a basecamp with some day trip exploring. If we (the boys) could fish a little in the morning and evening, so much the better. I'm assuming it would be late august/early sept. Any suggestions on an eastern EP and basecamp destination? |
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hooky |
Thanks, boonie. I'll look into #64. |
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lindylair |
Here is a trip idea with minimal (1) portaging, seclusion and great fishing possibilities. Enter at East Bearskin as mentioned above. Paddle about 35 minutes to the portage south to Crocodile Lake. There are 4 campsites and most of them are not exactly 5 star but shoot for the second one on the south shore, that is a good one. The 3rd site is the worst, nothing wrong with the 4th site at the Eastern end and the first site has its good points. Because it is a dead end route it is often not real busy and offers good wildlife sighting possibilities and relative solitude. The only real daytrip opportunity would be to go all the way to the east end and explore the winding Crocodile River, pretty cool. If you are up to hopping over one beaver dam you can get to a portage up to a secluded lake which is a great spot for lunch. Now here's the kicker, Crocodile Lake has the reputation as one of the easiest spots in the world, maybe the universe, to catch walleyes. I have been there twice and can attest to the fishing. You will very possibly catch lots of eyes in the 12-15 inch range with an occasional bigger one thrown in. It also has jumbo perch and a few northern pike. The one portage is a medium length portage with a fairly steep climb so it is enough of a challenge to understand the whole BWCA thing. But the path is good and when you're done, you are at your destination lake! Best thing, you can be in your campsite within a couple hours of leaving the car. Quirk of the BWCA rules is that you cannot get a permit for East Bearskin(even though you enter there) but must get a permit for the Crocodile River and must stay all nights on Crocodile Lake. For a short trip like you are planning I think it would work well for you. Alder out of East Bearskin, as mentioned above, would also be an easy and good trip but somewhat busier. Alder is also a bigger lake and wind can be an issue. Nonetheless a good option. I think you would like Crocodile better. Trip report if you are interested: Our first Crocodile Lake trip |
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fraxinus |
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Grandma L |
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hooky |
lindy, thanks for the crocodile suggestion and details. Now the blurb on the Bearskin outfitters site makes sense. I couldn't figure out what they meant by saying the shuttle to EP 66 was free if it was accessed by E. Bearskin. Grandma, way ahead of you. We talked about the need to make it a comfort trip for the ladies. At this point, I have everything covered except the solar shower. That'll be an REI dividend purchase, most likely. The food will be another thing. I'll probably rent an insulated food pack from the outfitter and have "real food" the whole time instead of my usual dehydrated stuff after the first night steak. |
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boonie |
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Jackfish |
I understand that everyone is different, but some ideas to consider after 4-days and 3-nights out in the wilderness might be a post-trip massage and nice dinner somewhere, along with comfy lodging and a little time to shop in whichever town presents itself. All depends on everyone's personal preferences and if time and the budget allows for it. I took my wife on her first Boundary Waters trip a few years ago and went through Ely. All of the above was worked into our itinerary and there were smiles all around. |
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TuscaroraBorealis |
quote boonie: "One to take a look at, hooky, would be East Bearskin, EP #64, into Alder. You can go as far as Crystal with very short, easy portages. You can day trip to Johnson Falls if that pushes a button for the ladies. " +1 I think that trip will be just what your looking for. If you haven't done so already? Check out our Trip report to that area from a few years back. Don't let the poor fishing we had on that trip discourage you, as I've had good fishing on other trips to that area. |
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fsupp |
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hooky |
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jeepgirl |
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boonie |
quote hooky: "I ended up getting a permit for E Bearskin on the last Sunday of August. Still trying to get someone over the idea of no flush toilets, so it may end up being a couple trip, as in just me and my wife." I just tell people it's an outhouse . . . without the house to trap bugs and smell and a better view, too. :) |
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hooky |
quote boonie: "quote hooky: "I ended up getting a permit for E Bearskin on the last Sunday of August. Still trying to get someone over the idea of no flush toilets, so it may end up being a couple trip, as in just me and my wife." Maybe I'll haul a bucket water to it for the flush part too! |
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jamotrade |
Trestle Inn |
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Bumstead |
+1 on Lizz entry, Rockwood Outfitters, and eating at Trail Center. Scenic and relatively easy portages through to Horseshoe (Lizz to Caribou is a little swampy). Gaskin and Vista portages are good from Horseshoe for day trips. Also, Grand Marais is a fun town on the north shore to kick around in for a day or two. Have a great time! |
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BobDobbs |
the portages are super easy and minimal. Cons - you will see other people...for the same reasons. Get an early start and be semi motivated for the first few hours and you'll beat 90% of them to the better campsites. Ely is a fun town to start/end the trip. Entirely walk-able and there is kitchy shopping for the ladies and nice bars/restaurants. On day one, get everyone to Briton's for breakfast at 5am (there will be a line out the door by 6am), and get over the lake one EP. Work hard for a couple hours to get a sweet campsite and spend the rest of the time fishing/relaxing. When you get back to Ely lunch/dinner at the chocolate moose/Ely Steakhouse/Boathouse....lots of other choices as well. Stay in the Voyager North bunkhouses the night before your trip. Super cheap and 'interesting' accomodations. Your basically lodging with whomever you end up with (most likely you'll have a bedroom with a door, and share a common area/bathroom with strangers). 100% of the people we've encountered in the bunkhouses have been quite, fun and respectfull - they are all having to get up as the same time in the AM as you! |
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A1t2o |
quote boonie: "quote hooky: "I ended up getting a permit for E Bearskin on the last Sunday of August. Still trying to get someone over the idea of no flush toilets, so it may end up being a couple trip, as in just me and my wife." So much better than an outhouse. Instead of walls for privacy, you have trees, rocks and other nature as well as distance. It may smell a little, but nowhere near as bad as an outhouse. |
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hooky |
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paddlinjoe |
If you are looking to only go part way up the north shore, Kawishiwi (37) and Sawbill (38) via Tofte are good low portage options. Sawbill having more daytrip looping options. At that point, Duluth is an option for the second half of the adventure. It has been 20 years since I last did a couples trip. I wish I'd had your forethought of keeping the portaging to a miniumum. Three trips was enough for my wife. The shopping and spa was only good enticement for the doing the third and last trip. |
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A1t2o |
Just make sure you know what the girls expect from the experience as well as an accurate expectation of what they can actually handle rather than what they just say will be fine. I've gotten burned with that one too many times and it keeps on getting you too. Its hard to tell girls that they can't handle that much so overestimate the difficulty when you are describing it so they don't overestimate themselves and get burnt out. |
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WhiteWolf |
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A1t2o |
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hooky |
Thanks again for all the suggestions. |
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SaganagaJoe |
quote A1t2o: "quote boonie: "quote hooky: "I ended up getting a permit for E Bearskin on the last Sunday of August. Still trying to get someone over the idea of no flush toilets, so it may end up being a couple trip, as in just me and my wife." Or get one of those bug net shed things for it! That wouldn't necessarily take care of what flies out of the thunderdome but, ya know, that's just between you and me. |
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jeepgirl |
The portages are easy and the lakes are not very big. Gaskin is bigger and well worth checking out. the island site just up from the portage is my favorite site on Gaskin. |
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brux |
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hooky |
I'm assuming we'll do a day trip in Tofte and/or Grand Marais too. Any place in particular that we shouldn't miss for a good meal or drinks? |
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Northwoodsman |
As far as after the trip - I recommend Cascade Lodge between Lutsen and Grand Marais. Rent a cabin or two. It's an easy 15 minute drive to Grand Marais. |