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      Trip Report - Five Monkeys and Four cat herders maiden voyage
 
  Last Visit: 03/29/2024 08:31AM

Entry Point 1 - Trout Lake

Trout Lake entry point allows overnight paddle or motor (25 HP max). This entry point is supported by La Croix Ranger Station near the city of Cook, MN. The distance from ranger station to entry point is 30 miles. Access from LakeVermilion via 60-rod canoe portage or 180-rod portage that allows the use of portage wheels. This area was affected by blowdown in 1999.

Number of Permits per Day: 12
Elevation: 1381 feet
Latitude: 47.9144
Longitude: -92.3220
Author Message Text
vnzill
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03/22/2017 08:40AM
 
New Trip Report posted by vnzill

Trip Name: Five Monkeys and Four cat herders maiden voyage.

Entry Point: 25

Click Here to View Trip Report

Hitting alligators with your paddle causes problems
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Mocha
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03/22/2017 09:17AM
 
what a great family trip! it seems you all did very well with being flexible in starting/stopping times, campsites and in just having a ton of fun. kinda of in awe that you could fit 9 people and all that gear in 2 canoes! besides the very nice photos of your trip, the best part is all the smiles. i have a feeling your kids are hooked, esp your daughter, and your investment in all that quality gear was a good one as the stuff will last a long time. thanks for sharing!
vnzill
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03/22/2017 09:40AM
 
Yes kids are certainly hooked especially my daughter. We are going again this summer to a yet unknown route. Maybe BWCA, Perhaps even Quetico if we can swing the extra costs. We bought new 30 degree down sleeping bags from Outdoor Vitals which compress quite small. This should help reduce bulkiness from the 0 degree bags we took last time. I really want to minimize loose articles especially if we do a route with a lot of portages. We sure had a blast.

Hitting alligators with your paddle causes problems
hooky
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03/22/2017 10:57AM
 
Maybe the most enjoyable trip report I've read. Thanks for posting it. Really makes me wish I'd have started this when my kids were young.

“It is clearly absurd to limit the term 'education' to a person's formal schooling.” - Murray Rothbard
bottomtothetap
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03/22/2017 01:08PM
 
Herding cats, indeed! Looks like an awesome family adventure.
inspector13
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03/22/2017 02:24PM
 

What was this Secchi disk kit from the State of MN about? Did you volunteer to take readings on each of the lakes you visited?


vnzill
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03/22/2017 03:02PM
 
quote inspector13: "
What was this Secchi disk kit from the State of MN about? Did you volunteer to take readings on each of the lakes you visited?



"



The State of MN looks for volunteers to measure water clarity with a device you lower into the water and record the depth at which you can still see it. Then record the lake name, date, and when you return from the trip, you mail it back along with your report. It was kinda fun to do although a bit of a pain, but it felt nice to be contributing in some small way.

Hitting alligators with your paddle causes problems
TomT
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03/22/2017 04:56PM
 
Awesome and fun report. Loved the pics too! I'm sure this trip will be talked about for years to come by your famlies. It takes a lot of patience to do what you adults did.

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." --- George Bernard Shaw
boonie
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03/22/2017 06:42PM
 
I always wondered how your trip finally turned out after the broken leg and everything. I enjoyed reading your report and seeing the pictures. You'll be glad you wrote it up and have a good record of it for the future.


You certainly had a crazy start and drive up and back, too. I've been through the unable to get a motel room thing up there, too, and finally started making reservations.


I hope you have a good one this year.
vnzill
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03/22/2017 07:38PM
 
quote boonie: "I always wondered how your trip finally turned out after the broken leg and everything. I enjoyed reading your report and seeing the pictures. You'll be glad you wrote it up and have a good record of it for the future.



You certainly had a crazy start and drive up and back, too. I've been through the unable to get a motel room thing up there, too, and finally started making reservations.



I hope you have a good one this year. "



I was feeling kinda guilty about not posting my report sooner since I told everyone here that I would write a report. I wanted to go again last summer but different vacation plans were made. With canoe trip planning fresh on my mind I finally took the time to finish the report.


My leg held up well thankfully. I would recommend that loop to anyone and it could be done much quicker. Thanks for the comments and glad you enjoyed it.

Hitting alligators with your paddle causes problems
vnzill
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03/22/2017 07:38PM
 
quote boonie: "I always wondered how your trip finally turned out after the broken leg and everything. I enjoyed reading your report and seeing the pictures. You'll be glad you wrote it up and have a good record of it for the future.



You certainly had a crazy start and drive up and back, too. I've been through the unable to get a motel room thing up there, too, and finally started making reservations.



I hope you have a good one this year. "



I was feeling kinda guilty about not posting my report sooner since I told everyone here that I would write a report. I wanted to go again last summer but different vacation plans were made. With canoe trip planning fresh on my mind I finally took the time to finish the report.


My leg held up well thankfully. I would recommend that loop to anyone and it could be done much quicker. Thanks for the comments and glad you enjoyed it.

Hitting alligators with your paddle causes problems
walleye_hunter
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03/23/2017 06:30AM
 
quote hooky: "Maybe the most enjoyable trip report I've read."
+1

"Man's heart away from nature becomes hard." Standing Bear
Jonesy
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03/23/2017 11:15PM
 
Really enjoyed the trip report.


I keep trying to get my wife to add one more night to our family trips. I'm wearing her down, but don't think we could do an 11 day trip...at least for awhile.
DanCooke
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03/24/2017 05:05AM
 
Great Family time, and a great detailed report. By the looks of things there will be more canoeing trips in your future.

Dan Cooke
vnzill
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03/24/2017 07:07PM
 
quote DanCooke: "Great Family time, and a great detailed report. By the looks of things there will be more canoeing trips in your future."


Thank you. If I am not mistaken, your company made some excellent gear I took on our trip. Love the tarp and rucksacks.


The 49 North made in China 60 Liter barrel pack made by who knows who, was not good quality. I think I fixed it with a new buckle and hand sewn webbing straps for reinforcement but gear wise, that was my only regret.

Hitting alligators with your paddle causes problems
Savage Voyageur
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03/25/2017 07:24AM
 
Very nice trip report, it was fun reading. Thanks

"So many lakes, so little time." WWJD
Oisinirish
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03/26/2017 07:59PM
 
Looks like a great time was had by all.

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous. Aristotle
30Smoke
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03/27/2017 10:34AM
 
Congratulations on a great trip! I've been to the BWCA 3 times with my cousin, and reading trip reports has given me the courage to try a solo along part of your route, from Snowbank up to Knife / Kekekabic / and down through Fraser / Thomas to Snowbank. Your trip seemed really difficult for a maiden voyage, but well done. The pictures were great - thanks for sharing - and giving others the courage to follow!

"it is tough to beat a person who doesn't quit" - famous philosopher George Ruth
hwdhusky
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03/27/2017 10:53AM
 
What a fun trip for the family. Lots of great memories and lessons learned. I have experienced many of the areas your family visited. It was fun to read your point of view and what you did in those same locations. We have even stopped and snacked and camped in the same locations.
vnzill
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03/27/2017 11:04AM
 
quote 30Smoke: "Congratulations on a great trip! I've been to the BWCA 3 times with my cousin, and reading trip reports has given me the courage to try a solo along part of your route, from Snowbank up to Knife / Kekekabic / and down through Fraser / Thomas to Snowbank. Your trip seemed really difficult for a maiden voyage, but well done. The pictures were great - thanks for sharing - and giving others the courage to follow!"


If we were novices to camping I would not try our route. Having everyone well experienced with backpacking was very helpful but at times it feels like backpacking with a canoe so certainly more challenging. I would love to be able to single portage but that is impossible at this point in time. We did keep the portages rather few which helped. Some routes I am looking on have 40-60 portages in total which could be grueling.


Maps are strewn out again and route options are being debated. Kids want to go real far, see waterfalls, pictographs, rivers, lots of paddling so thus lakes, and one starts running out of time.


Hitting alligators with your paddle causes problems
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