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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Trip Planning Forum 2024 McIntyre Trip Planning Reply |
Previous Messages: | |
Author | Message Text |
WonderMonkey |
08/29/2024 06:13PMBanksiana: "Went through Sarah last week. Took the route from Side to Sarah that follows the Creek. A brief portage at the beginning of the creek into a small pond- bad parking all around. Then a carry with the pack to the beaver swamp. The beavers have left the building, The swamp no longer holds enough water to float a canoe, now a grassy bog with a muddy trench lined with logs and sticks and a shallow flow of water. I walked the edge looking for navigable flow- nada, but the path around the edge of the swamp was decent, generally firm ground, occasional brief rock gardens and an obvious trail to connect to the previous brief portage into Sarah. I opted for carrying around the swamp rather than return to the real portage. My legs preferred the lack of elevation change (really just the short steep drop into Sarah) and I don't think it's significantly longer than the official portage. It's been more than 20 years since I've taken the official or "high" route into Sarah, my memory is colored because I took it at the end of a long October day and I was racing dark into Sarah- I remember it as a difficult steep up and down portage with tough footing, but it could have been the light and circumstance. It does end at a sweet sand and gravel beach.." Thanks, I appreciate the information! I'll send to my group and we can make a decision on what we want to do. Again, I thank you. |
Banksiana |
08/29/2024 10:30AM Went through Sarah last week. Took the route from Side to Sarah that follows the Creek. A brief portage at the beginning of the creek into a small pond- bad parking all around. Then a carry with the pack to the beaver swamp. The beavers have left the building, The swamp no longer holds enough water to float a canoe, now a grassy bog with a muddy trench lined with logs and sticks and a shallow flow of water. I walked the edge looking for navigable flow- nada, but the path around the edge of the swamp was decent, generally firm ground, occasional brief rock gardens and an obvious trail to connect to the previous brief portage into Sarah. I opted for carrying around the swamp rather than return to the real portage. My legs preferred the lack of elevation change (really just the short steep drop into Sarah) and I don't think it's significantly longer than the official portage. It's been more than 20 years since I've taken the official or "high" route into Sarah, my memory is colored because I took it at the end of a long October day and I was racing dark into Sarah- I remember it as a difficult steep up and down portage with tough footing, but it could have been the light and circumstance. It does end at a sweet sand and gravel beach.. |
WonderMonkey |
08/27/2024 09:27PMTrailZen: "We finished loading gear, food, and the canoe into/onto the Suby this afternoon and start toward Ely tomorrow morning. There's always the feeling of 'what have I forgotten'? Sometimes you remember a thing or two, or make a second, third, or fourth check of paperwork, passports, etc, even though you know darn well you've packed them. Then this evening I remembered the toll roads around Chicago and set up a "Pay by Plate" account... Now, what else have I forgotten? Doesn't matter--it'll be a great trip. Hope your trip is, too! Happy tripping TrailZen! |
TrailZen |
08/27/2024 09:12PM We finished loading gear, food, and the canoe into/onto the Suby this afternoon and start toward Ely tomorrow morning. There's always the feeling of 'what have I forgotten'? Sometimes you remember a thing or two, or make a second, third, or fourth check of paperwork, passports, etc, even though you know darn well you've packed them. Then this evening I remembered the toll roads around Chicago and set up a "Pay by Plate" account... Now, what else have I forgotten? Doesn't matter--it'll be a great trip. Hope your trip is, too! TZ |
WonderMonkey |
08/27/2024 07:56PM Being "done" with certain items before a trip brings upon a stomach ache. My shelter ... easy. Food .... no problem. Water, hygiene, fire, stab/cut things, fishing .... all no problem. Saying "I'm done" with my maps, which includes putting all things on my GPS device, is difficult. What have I forgotten? Will the group need site/portages one more layer away? Once I get in the vehicle to start my trip, all that goes away and I'm far more excited. |
WonderMonkey |
08/27/2024 06:28PM Fire Kits I take three fire kits with me on a trip. The first is on my person, the second is in my pack, and the third is in my PFD. All three are the same in terms of items but not in quantity. I'd like to think that if my canoe overturns and I end up alone, I'll minimally have what is in my PFD and on my person. That's what I plan for and what drives what I put where. I know that's not unique; most others do this as well. Fire Kit - Bic Lighter - Ferro rod - Tinder (two kinds) - Bellows (old car antenna looking thing) |
WonderMonkey |
08/19/2024 10:25AM Yesterday was "Meet with the group" day to make sure we had all of our shared items squared away. Part of what is a "Shared item" also involves what we bring individually. Do you need to get a bunch of something in our group bag if we all also have them individually? Probably not, but we want to know. For example, we don't bring a water filtration system for the group as we each have one and will be bringing them. We DO want to take a fuel canister of a specific size even though we each have a smaller one we take personally. And so on. |
WonderMonkey |
08/15/2024 10:23PM Before pressing the button, I called Williams & Hall today to make sure my overnight reservation was correct. W&H took the time to make sure the situation was understood, and they advised me on what to do. Turns out I had it right, but it is good to know I'm following the rules. Thanks to those that had input on this. |
WonderMonkey |
08/14/2024 07:48PMScobri: "Really late to the party, but we went through some of your planned portages on our trip last August, including the same direction from North Bay (Basswood) through Isabella, to Sarah, and then to McIntyre. Went from PP to Isabella, then Isabella to McIntyre went up to Brent and beyond after that. Thanks! We hope to get to the island site on McIntyre sortof early in the day so we can relax and enjoy it. We have another day on that lake, but a different spot, planned but we can always stay on the island if we really like it. Thanks for the info on the portages, I will report on which I take and the conditions. " |
Scobri |
08/14/2024 07:44PM Really late to the party, but we went through some of your planned portages on our trip last August, including the same direction from North Bay (Basswood) through Isabella, to Sarah, and then to McIntyre. Went from PP to Isabella, then Isabella to McIntyre went up to Brent and beyond after that. We did the portage route you have marked on the map, except we did opt for the creek from Side into Sarah. I think we wound up walking a good portion of the creek and floating the canoe with our packs in it when the water was too shallow to paddle, but I can't remember exactly. Given the choice I'd probably opt for doing it again over the portage if you don't mind getting your feet wet. Not to mention that the area has had more rain this summer so it's maybe better this year? I'll be interested to hear how it goes too. We also opted for the shorter, crazy elevation change portage from Sarah into McIntyre and camped on that first little peninsula campsite right when coming into the lake. It's definitely almost straight uphill but it's short! You can definitely tell when you get into burn country, but again, not all the burned areas are quite the same. Some are really torched, while in other spots it's patchy. Last year the Quetico crews had marked the burn-area portages with orange tape so it was a heck of a lot easier to find them. I'm not sure how many of those tapes are still out there, but I remember seeing them on the Sarah to McIntyre portage. The campsite on that peninsula on McIntyre was partially burned, but still pretty nice and we found it quite suitable for an extra layover/rest day. Hope you have a fantastic trip! |
WonderMonkey |
08/13/2024 08:59PMTrailZen: "WonderMonkey: "It looks like both of those portages are around 1/2 mile each. Like many, I assume, I'd want to camp on Wind Lake. My canoe buddy is coming over on Sunday and we will decide on it. If we think we want to push to get to Wind at a reasonable time the day before the trip is over, we may do it. If not, then we would commit to Prairie Portage. I'm good with pushing here and there to make sure we get to it, but either way, I'm happy." Thanks! I look forward to reading your trip report. |
TrailZen |
08/13/2024 08:22PMWonderMonkey: "It looks like both of those portages are around 1/2 mile each. Like many, I assume, I'd want to camp on Wind Lake. My canoe buddy is coming over on Sunday and we will decide on it. If we think we want to push to get to Wind at a reasonable time the day before the trip is over, we may do it. If not, then we would commit to Prairie Portage. I'm good with pushing here and there to make sure we get to it, but either way, I'm happy." I hope you have a wonderful trip. We're heading to the eastern side of Quetico later this month for a 10-day trip. Still looking at a couple route options depending on a friend's comments on the Wawiag River... TZ |
WonderMonkey |
08/13/2024 05:43PMTrailZen: "WonderMonkey: "We had considered going through Wind Lake to the Moose Lake portage but decided not to. What I LIKE about spending the last night on Wind Lake is how fast we could get back to Williams and Hall in the morning and get on our way back to Ohio. I appreciate you bringing it up; it will make us rethink that portion of the trip." It looks like both of those portages are around 1/2 mile each. Like many, I assume, I'd want to camp on Wind Lake. My canoe buddy is coming over on Sunday and we will decide on it. If we think we want to push to get to Wind at a reasonable time the day before the trip is over, we may do it. If not, then we would commit to Prairie Portage. I'm good with pushing here and there to make sure we get to it, but either way, I'm happy. |
WonderMonkey |
08/13/2024 05:42PMTrailZen: "WonderMonkey: "We had considered going through Wind Lake to the Moose Lake portage but decided not to. What I LIKE about spending the last night on Wind Lake is how fast we could get back to Williams and Hall in the morning and get on our way back to Ohio. I appreciate you bringing it up; it will make us rethink that portion of the trip." Thanks for that. Back when I was considering that route, I checked into that to be sure. I appreciate the reminder. |
bobbernumber3 |
08/13/2024 05:33PMWonderMonkey: "bobbernumber3: "ockycamper: "this is the first thread I have seen where almost all the posts are replies from the OP!" Yep... same with my fish recipes |
TrailZen |
08/13/2024 04:07PMWonderMonkey: "We had considered going through Wind Lake to the Moose Lake portage but decided not to. What I LIKE about spending the last night on Wind Lake is how fast we could get back to Williams and Hall in the morning and get on our way back to Ohio. I appreciate you bringing it up; it will make us rethink that portion of the trip." Remember that Wind is in the BWCAW and that an overnight there would require a permit. You could camp your last night in a Quetico/Basswood site north of the portage into Wind and still make an early exit through Wind. TZ |
WonderMonkey |
08/13/2024 03:43PMbobbernumber3: "ockycamper: "this is the first thread I have seen where almost all the posts are replies from the OP!" Yep, just me blathering on. Occasionally, something of interest to someone. |
WonderMonkey |
08/13/2024 03:35PMBanksiana: "A note on the creek route into Sarah from Side. The beavers are not maintaining their dams and water levels were dangerously close to not navigable when I went through there last August. Its generally a much easier route into Sarah and the swamp/marsh paddle after the first portage (not the lift over) is really beautiful. I hope the beavers have returned as I'll be heading though there next week. I'd love a report of your Side -> Sarah experience after next week! We had considered going through Wind Lake to the Moose Lake portage but decided not to. What I LIKE about spending the last night on Wind Lake is how fast we could get back to Williams and Hall in the morning and get on our way back to Ohio. I appreciate you bringing it up; it will make us rethink that portion of the trip. |
bobbernumber3 |
08/13/2024 02:47PM . |
Banksiana |
08/13/2024 02:12PM A note on the creek route into Sarah from Side. The beavers are not maintaining their dams and water levels were dangerously close to not navigable when I went through there last August. Its generally a much easier route into Sarah and the swamp/marsh paddle after the first portage (not the lift over) is really beautiful. I hope the beavers have returned as I'll be heading though there next week. Another thing to remember is that if you are exiting via Kett Lake it makes no sense to head back to Prairie Portage for a tow. You'll have slightly less paddling if you just exit via Wind Bay/Wind Lake to Moose and save yourself the cost of a tow. |
WonderMonkey |
08/13/2024 10:25AM TomT and HighnDry. Got it! My image is a Side <-> Sarah creek. I am going on to McIntyre from Sarah, later.-> |
HighnDry |
08/13/2024 07:53AMTomT: "WonderMonkey: "TomT: "To get from Side to Sarah consider taking the creek at the north end of Side. It's the creek and 2 short portages. Now, as we know beavers can really mess up those areas and it's been since 2019 since I've been there but I much prefer it to the big up/down from side to Sarah. Yes, he's right. It's going into Sarah not McIntyre I was one lake ahead of myself! |
TomT |
08/13/2024 07:45AMWonderMonkey: "TomT: "To get from Side to Sarah consider taking the creek at the north end of Side. It's the creek and 2 short portages. Now, as we know beavers can really mess up those areas and it's been since 2019 since I've been there but I much prefer it to the big up/down from side to Sarah. I’m away from my maps. This is a well known route to Sarah but just make sure you’re not going to Kahshahpiwi from Side. High and dry has it right although he mentions going into McIntyre from there. The creek im referring to goes into Sarah. |
WonderMonkey |
08/12/2024 06:15PM Mapping completed ... except it's never done. I'll continue to take note of those who have suggestions, warnings, or just input. |
WonderMonkey |
08/12/2024 11:48AM Today's task is to gather all the clothing and gear that I want to treat with Permethrin. I buy the concentrate and dilute to whatever it is I have written down and treat liberally. |
WonderMonkey |
08/11/2024 08:25PMHighnDry: "While he tracks down the GPS coordinates, I can tell you that the entrance to the creek to the first portage is easy to spot. It sometimes will dry up a bit in the first half of the creek requiring a short pullover or a bit longer portage before you meet back up with the creek. If I remember correctly, it's a short paddle to a short easy portage through the woods into McIntyre from there----just don't go right on the creek into the grasslands! I met a family of 3 that spent 2 hours wondering around up there before they found their way back out to get to the portage to Slide. They didn't have maps or a gps." I just found a youtube of the up and down portage, and that first part is very steep! Also, thanks for the warning about taking the right into the marsh, I see where that should be on the map, and will make a note about it. Each significant note I make I put on the map and also on a waypoint so it jumps out on my GPS if I use that. No map or GPS. I would not even try that. I appreciate the information. |
HighnDry |
08/11/2024 06:50PM While he tracks down the GPS coordinates, I can tell you that the entrance to the creek to the first portage is easy to spot. It sometimes will dry up a bit in the first half of the creek requiring a short pullover or a bit longer portage before you meet back up with the creek. If I remember correctly, it's a short paddle to a short easy portage through the woods into McIntyre from there----just don't go right on the creek into the grasslands! I met a family of 3 that spent 2 hours wondering around up there before they found their way back out to get to the portage to Slide. They didn't have maps or a gps. |
WonderMonkey |
08/11/2024 05:10PMTomT: "To get from Side to Sarah consider taking the creek at the north end of Side. It's the creek and 2 short portages. Now, as we know beavers can really mess up those areas and it's been since 2019 since I've been there but I much prefer it to the big up/down from side to Sarah. Are those portages off the creek undocumented? I don't see them on my maps or PP's site. I see the creek, of course. Do you happen to have GPS or a drawing of about where the portages are so I can add them to my map? If it's just "The creek" then I have it. We have decided our default will be double-portaging, and we only have one day of a decent push to get to where we want to go. You must be been seriously tired to get rid of pancake mix! |
TomT |
08/11/2024 04:24PM To get from Side to Sarah consider taking the creek at the north end of Side. It's the creek and 2 short portages. Now, as we know beavers can really mess up those areas and it's been since 2019 since I've been there but I much prefer it to the big up/down from side to Sarah. If it's hot out, be careful on those hilly portages. The name Heart Attack Hill is a real thing. I remember a hot solo doing those in 2001. I got to the top and literally couldn't breathe with heart pounding and had to lay down for a while mid portage. I remember burying a bunch of extra oatmeal and pancake batter I had brought with up on that hill to lighten the load. :) |
WonderMonkey |
08/11/2024 03:15PM Individual food is packed. Check! My PFD is nearly equipped. I only need to add a small lighter as a backup to my small fire kit, and an 8.5x11 overview map of the area. Once that is in there I may add a power bar or two. |
WonderMonkey |
08/11/2024 03:15PMockycamper: "this is the first thread I have seen where almost all the posts are replies from the OP!" That lets me know how riveting my posts are! |
ockycamper |
08/09/2024 06:29PM this is the first thread I have seen where almost all the posts are replies from the OP! |
WonderMonkey |
08/09/2024 01:58PMmgraber: "I noticed you mentioned a Kayak. How do you carry it on really difficult portages? There are some pretty rugged/steep ones on your route." That was a mistake! That should be "canoe". I kayak a bunch around here and that was typed out of haibt. |
mgraber |
08/09/2024 12:29PM I noticed you mentioned a Kayak. How do you carry it on really difficult portages? There are some pretty rugged/steep ones on your route. |
WonderMonkey |
08/05/2024 07:01PM Breakfast dialed in! I usually just have oatmeal, protein powder, and raisins. This year, I decided to try oatmeal, raisins, walnuts, brown sugar, and chia seeds. On top of that, I'll cold soak. Two nights ago, I tried all of that. It was too sweet. I could dial back the craisins and brown sugar, but I decided to eliminate the brown sugar. This morning I was happy with the concoction so I made seven breakfasts in individual small ziplocks and put them all in a larger ziplock. Ta-da! One thing done. |
WonderMonkey |
08/05/2024 05:38PMportagedog09: "WM, we just got back on 7/25 from an 11 day loop that covered a lot of the same ground but in reverse. We got a tow (W&H...good choice!) but Lincoln Is. then did Robinson via Kett going north, Crooked to Argo, Brent via Cone, McIntyre, Sarah, North Bay to PP. The Quetico portage maintenance crew has been through some of that area but not all of it, specifically west and north of McIntyre. The burn is quite noticeable on the northeast end of Sarah and from Mid-Brent east to the portages into McIntyre. Some burn on the west side of that lake too. On leaving Robinson, if you choose to go thru Nub (most direct) the north portage on Nub starts easy but brings you to 'the wall' - a 25-30 foot rock face, which is easily done via the trail that goes up to the right along the base of it and it is a climb - however...about a 30 foot section of trees/soil has slid off a shelf and blocked that. Unless the chainsaw crew's been there, you'll have to either pick your way around to the left, then up or crawl thru a mess of 5-6 mature birch clump and misc. trees to get to the base of the wall. Note, that the two short portages from Nub to Kett are virtually straight up, across the small lake, then straight down - short but a good climb. The island site at the McIntyre narrows SE end is worth seeking out. And when leaving Isabella, going through the no-name lakes to Side Lake, I'd recommend taking the west portages once out of Isabella (don't do Point Lake). The two east portages are beasts....especially that first one - aka Heart-attack Hill. And it's all rock, straight up. Lesser used, but overall much easier. Thanks for all of that! Isabella -> NoName -> Side Lake -> Sarah is the path I had planned, but was aware of the other way through Point Lake. I appreciate the input as I'm going to give the younger guy some options on "What looks good to you?" but on some of it those options are limited based on input like yours. I will make a note about it on my map. As for McIntyre, we won't be going past campsites MH and MM, which is on an island part way up the lake. According to input and the outfitter, the bad burns is North of there and what you are saying supports that. We plan on going from Robinson -> NoName -> Tuck, then two NoNames -> Kett. It's good you mentioned the issues as that is the part of the trip that will very likely begin to change based on where we are at, weather, etc. It is very possible we could have attempted to make up some time by cutting Tuck out of the trip and taken the route you mentioned. Thanks for the input! VERY much appreciated. |
portagedog09 |
08/05/2024 04:45PM WM, we just got back on 7/25 from an 11 day loop that covered a lot of the same ground but in reverse. We got a tow (W&H...good choice!) but Lincoln Is. then did Robinson via Kett going north, Crooked to Argo, Brent via Cone, McIntyre, Sarah, North Bay to PP. The Quetico portage maintenance crew has been through some of that area but not all of it, specifically west and north of McIntyre. The burn is quite noticeable on the northeast end of Sarah and from Mid-Brent east to the portages into McIntyre. Some burn on the west side of that lake too. On leaving Robinson, if you choose to go thru Nub (most direct) the north portage on Nub starts easy but brings you to 'the wall' - a 25-30 foot rock face, which is easily done via the trail that goes up to the right along the base of it and it is a climb - however...about a 30 foot section of trees/soil has slid off a shelf and blocked that. Unless the chainsaw crew's been there, you'll have to either pick your way around to the left, then up or crawl thru a mess of 5-6 mature birch clump and misc. trees to get to the base of the wall. Note, that the two short portages from Nub to Kett are virtually straight up, across the small lake, then straight down - short but a good climb. The island site at the McIntyre narrows SE end is worth seeking out. And when leaving Isabella, going through the no-name lakes to Side Lake, I'd recommend taking the west portages once out of Isabella (don't do Point Lake). The two east portages are beasts....especially that first one - aka Heart-attack Hill. And it's all rock, straight up. Lesser used, but overall much easier. Let me know if you have other specific questions. pd |
WonderMonkey |
08/04/2024 08:58PM Met with our small group and finalized a route. We can always modify it, but here is the basic plan. I'll list the basic lakes. Williams & Hall -> Prarie Portage PP -> Lost Bay on Basswood Lost Bay -> Isabella Lake Isabella Lake -> Sarah Sarah -> McIntyre McIntyre -> Robinson Robinson -> Tuck Tuck -> Kett Kett -> Basswood -> Prarie Portage |
portagedog09 |
03/01/2024 02:42PMI assume a 1 day BWCA permit is needed? I only say that as I see references to it. " For clarity - you are correct WM, a DAY use permit is required to pass through the BWCA on that portion of the trip - and those are free/no advance reservation required. Since you are outfitting with W&H, they will have those and if you tell them your route, they will likely ask you if you have one already. (Didn't see that you said anything about an overnight permit.) pd |
WonderMonkey |
02/29/2024 03:40PMTrailZen: "No need for a 1-night BWCA permit--you're returning from Quetico via day use of Wind to Moose instead of returning via PP, Sucker, and Newfound to Moose. Thanks for that info. |
TrailZen |
02/13/2024 05:48PM No need for a 1-night BWCA permit--you're returning from Quetico via day use of Wind to Moose instead of returning via PP, Sucker, and Newfound to Moose. TZ |
WonderMonkey |
02/13/2024 04:44PMBanksiana: "If you go through Kett there is no need to head back to Prairie Portage- the simpler exit is to paddle south and exit through Wind to Moose. Sites in the Canadian portion of Basswood towards Wind are not heavily used. Sites close to Prairie Portage and Inlet Bay are more heavily used especially if weather causes travel delays. If you are heading from Kett to Prairie Portage there is a nice camp on the no-name lake in the middle of the peninsula separating Ranger Bay and North Bay. Numerous decent sites on Burke as well. I SEE! I had Prairie Portage in my head so much that I wasn't hearing what you were typing. I see the portage you are referring to. I assume a 1 day BWCA permit is needed? I only say that as I see references to it. The portage into Moose would put us just North of Williams & Hall, which we are using for a canoe rental and a tow. I think what all of this does is give options to a trip. I'll cover with my canoe buddy and will end up mapping all of this out in detail and then as the trip progresses, we will make decisions. And as far as the web-site-not-to-be-mentioned, yes that seems to be what has happened. I'm sure there is a back story to all of that, but as an outsider looking in, I don't get it. However, many things aren't really my business so I will just accept the information you gave to me and move on. Thank you for all of the above. |
Banksiana |
02/13/2024 03:26PMWonderMonkey: "Banksiana: "The Tuck/Kett route is quite pretty. The portages from Kett to Ranger Bay are long but quite beautiful in parts- long walks on bedrock and some mucking about on the edge of swamps. The Basswood paddle is long but if you break it up with a camp a decent exit plan." If you go through Kett there is no need to head back to Prairie Portage- the simpler exit is to paddle south and exit through Wind to Moose. Sites in the Canadian portion of Basswood towards Wind are not heavily used. Sites close to Prairie Portage and Inlet Bay are more heavily used especially if weather causes travel delays. If you are heading from Kett to Prairie Portage there is a nice camp on the no-name lake in the middle of the peninsula separating Ranger Bay and North Bay. Numerous decent sites on Burke as well. Imaginary no-name lake was mentioned on ill-fated post of Wonder Monkey that included mention of a web site that shall not be named because naming of said site infuriates the powers that be moderating this site. |
goblu79 |
02/13/2024 02:31PM Not sure if you are speaking of my post, but I never asserted there was a no name lake between Sarah and McIntyre...I said McIntyre and Brent...where there is a no name lake. |
WonderMonkey |
02/13/2024 02:24PMBanksiana: "The Tuck/Kett route is quite pretty. The portages from Kett to Ranger Bay are long but quite beautiful in parts- long walks on bedrock and some mucking about on the edge of swamps. The Basswood paddle is long but if you break it up with a camp a decent exit plan." The thought would be to push to get to McIntyre then meander back to Prairie Portage. That leaves us time to break up the Basswood portion. Being on the border between the US and Canada, do you find that the campsites are busier? |
Banksiana |
02/13/2024 07:48AM The Tuck/Kett route is quite pretty. The portages from Kett to Ranger Bay are long but quite beautiful in parts- long walks on bedrock and some mucking about on the edge of swamps. The Basswood paddle is long but if you break it up with a camp a decent exit plan. |
WonderMonkey |
02/12/2024 08:59PMmarsonite: "If you're going to Tuck, you also have the option of going to Kett. The portages to Basswood are a little long but actually pretty easy. Once on Basswood you can head for Wind and then Moose. Maybe a few more portages but it eliminates back tracking. Just a thought. " Looks like that would eliminate a bunch of portages. I'll study it up and then show my canoe buddy. Great suggestion! |
WonderMonkey |
02/12/2024 08:57PMmarsonite: "If you're going to Tuck, you also have the option of going to Kett. The portages to Basswood are a little long but actually pretty easy. Once on Basswood you can head for Wind and then Moose. Maybe a few more portages but it eliminates back tracking. Just a thought. " We have been looking at ways to not backtrack and I'll look at the route you suggested. I appreciate it. |
marsonite |
02/12/2024 08:15PM If you're going to Tuck, you also have the option of going to Kett. The portages to Basswood are a little long but actually pretty easy. Once on Basswood you can head for Wind and then Moose. Maybe a few more portages but it eliminates back tracking. Just a thought. |
WonderMonkey |
02/12/2024 06:55PM Ah yes I wasn't zoomed in for that phantom no-name lake between Sarah and McIntyre. When I did zoom in I noticed it was how you mentioned. Banksiana: "Portage (s) between McIntyre and Sarah have been burned, especially on the McIntyre side. There are two choices the portage to the south is longer but with more gradual change in elevation. Northern portage is considerably shorter but with a fairly radical climb into McIntyre. The portages go directly from a bay on Sarah to a bay on McIntyre- there is no intervening no-name lake (in response to an assertion on another post). I did the northern portage last August. It was cleared and marked since the fire- a little rough footing near the McIntyre end where soil has been completely consumed by the fire (and there is that radical hill to climb) but completely doable. |
WonderMonkey |
02/12/2024 06:51PMBanksiana: "Portage (s) between McIntyre and Sarah have been burned, especially on the McIntyre side. There are two choices the portage to the south is longer but with more gradual change in elevation. Northern portage is considerably shorter but with a fairly radical climb into McIntyre. The portages go directly from a bay on Sarah to a bay on McIntyre- there is no intervening no-name lake (in response to an assertion on another post). I did the northern portage last August. It was cleared and marked since the fire- a little rough footing near the McIntyre end where soil has been completely consumed by the fire (and there is that radical hill to climb) but completely doable. I appreciate the input. I'll find those portages and show my group but the Northern version seems the way to go. I'll let my group know to get input. |
WonderMonkey |
02/12/2024 06:50PMgoblu79: "I camped on the island campsite on the north end of McIntyre last year, and the site has had NO burn. You can see some from the site, but very little. North of there, on the portage from McIntyre to the no name lake before Brent, things are burned to the ground. I fished the little no name lake, but didn't go into Brent. Great fishing in McIntyre all week last year. " Thanks for the info, and I see information about the portage from Sarah is in the above post. |
Banksiana |
02/12/2024 02:38PM Portage (s) between McIntyre and Sarah have been burned, especially on the McIntyre side. There are two choices the portage to the south is longer but with more gradual change in elevation. Northern portage is considerably shorter but with a fairly radical climb into McIntyre. The portages go directly from a bay on Sarah to a bay on McIntyre- there is no intervening no-name lake (in response to an assertion on another post). I did the northern portage last August. It was cleared and marked since the fire- a little rough footing near the McIntyre end where soil has been completely consumed by the fire (and there is that radical hill to climb) but completely doable. The McIntyre shoreline shows a variety of burn intensity. Lake still looks good but some well-used camps have been burned. |
goblu79 |
02/12/2024 09:40AM I camped on the island campsite on the north end of McIntyre last year, and the site has had NO burn. You can see some from the site, but very little. North of there, on the portage from McIntyre to the no name lake before Brent, things are burned to the ground. I fished the little no name lake, but didn't go into Brent. Great fishing in McIntyre all week last year. |
TrailZen |
02/11/2024 03:06PMWonderMonkey: " Good to see you've included the 2021 burn overlay in your planning map and know that some of the areas you're visiting will still have lots of standing tree remains. Also, I've used drum liners (4 mil) as pack liners with good results IF it's not a black drum liner. Pretty frustrating to dig to the bottom of a black hole looking for small items. Hope it's a great trip--you've earned one! TZ |
WonderMonkey |
02/11/2024 02:33PM I normally do loaded carries as part of my workout program. I tore a forearm flexor in Dec 2023 and I'm still healing. Because of that I have to be careful on what I pick up, how I pick it up, etc. Because of this, I was happy to see my gym get a yoke carry. The kind of thing you put across your shoulders and the weights are low, and you carry it around. Sometimes I'll use that as a finisher and sometimes I'll come in, warm up real good, and make that the entire workout in both heavy and short distance, moderate, or just grueling long distance. Because of my forearm, I may not have the upper body strength I'd normally like, but as long as I get my paddling strength/endurance and carrying up to par, I'll be ok. |
WonderMonkey |
02/11/2024 01:56PM I'm changing my pack liner this year. At our hunt lease, we use drum liners from Rural King as trash bags. I'm going to get one and see how it works for a pack liner. I do like them "big enough" and tall enough to fold over to do a decent job of sealing, but "too big" is a pain. However, I will take some that size for various things that come up, such as putting the entire pack inside when in the canoe if we are expecting a deluge of rain. A pack liner (maybe two) and then inside these large bags will keep things dry and floatable. I'll take that bag and see how much "too big" it is then get a version of it that makes me happy. 4 mil, I would think, is the minimum I'd want. |
WonderMonkey |
02/11/2024 01:27PM Three people are going on this trip. Myself, my outdoors buddy and his son. All are compatible people and we have gone on backpacking trips, etc. before. No issues of wondering who can or can't handle what. We are adding fishing into our trip. I have many things I need from fly-in trips past and will have to make sure our line is fresh, and we have the appropriate lures for the lakes and fish we will be on. I don't care for trips where hours and hours are spent in the boat fishing, but I DO like trips where I fish along a route or get in the boat and do an hour here and there. I suppose the type of trip and fishing we plan to do is exactly what I like. It's not a fishing trip, but fishing for meals while on a trip, I suppose. I'll probably take a normal-sized rod for my primary, then a real short one I have for my kayak as a backup. |
WonderMonkey |
02/11/2024 12:38PM I re-read my Trip Report, and you can tell I slammed that thing out quickly after my trip. Grammar? Who needs it? Coherent sentences? Not needed, for we are outdoorsmen, not literary professors! I think I threw rocks at the keyboard instead of typing properly. |
WonderMonkey |
02/11/2024 12:17PM Hello! Today starts the official planning for my 2024 McIntyre Trip. Last year, we had this same trip planned, but an illness to my outdoors buddy caused us to postpone it. The illness still limits his energy, so we have the entire route planned but have a few contingencies built in. If weather and energy are with us, we plan to get a tow to Prairie Portage then Isabella -> Sarah -> McIntyre. On the way back we hope to head South out of McIntyre to Cecil -> Tuck -> Sarah -> Isabella. More commentary on that in the next post, but that's the large plan. A few years ago, a larger group attempted the route we plan to do. You can read that Adventure? Who Said Anything About THAT?. I will be going back and reading my original Trip Planning thread, which you fine folks participated in and gave me some great advice. That thread is : WMs Get Ready Journal. |