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Date/Time: 03/28/2024 04:22AM
Entry Point 14 Route Questions

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Previous Messages:
Author Message Text
CampSnkRpr 06/17/2019 01:40PM
Georgiapaddler31: "Hello everyone! I'm doing some planning for a trip next summer and I have some questions for those of you with more experience in the BW. I did my first trip back in 2017. We entered through Stuart River up to Stuart, Iron, and Lac la Croix before exiting through Moose River North. It was a great trip. We particularly enjoyed Iron and Lac La Croix."


We did a similar route back in 2017 as well (just didnt make it up to LLC due to canoe damage): in on Stuart then over to Agnes, Oyster, Nina Moose, and out Moose North. That first portage to Stuart River is a pretty decent hike. If that was not much of an issue for you, you should be fine on most portages in the BW.


Last year we entered on Moose North and had camp set up on LLC about 6-7 hours later, wasnt too bad. We stayed on LLC for 7 days at the island campsite on the north end of Tiger Bay. It was fantastic, great fishing in boulder bay and never fail bay and the site was nice, but well used. There is also quite a bit of traffic in this area of people passing through, but we did not come across people while we were out fishing. We have not been to the west end of LLC or Loon, so I'll be interested in a trip report and might have to take on that route.


Get on the water early and make a long day of it to your first destination, it really makes a big difference and saves time from tear down/set up if you have to take multiple stops. Looks like you have things mostly figured out, good luck and have a great trip!
nctry 06/16/2019 01:15PM
Loon is a motor lake. But I’ve seen little motor traffic... except when I took a popular motorboat campsite one time. Haha.
boonie 06/14/2019 09:53PM
Sounds like you're good to do it. I went through Slim, North, Steep, Eugene, Beartrack, Finger, Pocket, Gebeonequet. I liked that area - Finger is a nice lake.
Georgiapaddler31 06/14/2019 06:09PM
boonie: "IIRC, Loon is a motor lake, so you may want to go on past that. Like Jaywalker I enjoyed the loop through the little lakes south of LLC; you likely enjoy a good bit of solitude from Little Loon around to Oyster, if that's your plan. I did, but went in Sept.



I've found it's hard to take/give advice when you don't know the other person, so like Jaywalker said, if you're a young endurance athlete, listen to Tony. If you're old and not in that shape like me . . . "



I'm a Marine and I run a lot. My travel buddy has significant trail experience. We make pretty good time. I really don't mind a long first and last day to get further in and away from the EP crowds.


I have been looking at doing two nights up on the west side of LLC, then moving down to Finger Lake for a couple of nights, then two nights on the east side of LLC just north of Tiger Bay. Last trip, we made it from just north of Tiger Bay to my truck parked at EP 16 in about 5 hours.


I'm attracted to this trip because if the weather is too windy, it seems like it would be really easy to adjust plans and shift to the smaller lakes south of LLC.
GopherAdventure 06/14/2019 09:56AM
Jaywalker: "I don't think I'd encourage most people to try to get to Fat by noon however. If I recall correctly, Tony single portages so is moving at a pace a bit faster than many of us can manage. "


Lol, I should note that I slept in my truck at the EP and was on the water by 6 am. I’m no Super Paddler like Beav. I tried to slow down and enjoy the scenery a little, but I also wanted to get across Loon before the wind picked up too much, which it did later that day.


Tony
GopherAdventure 06/14/2019 09:51AM
Jasonf: "GopherAdventure: "LLC is definitely doable on one day. I was camped on Fat Lake by noon on my entry day when I soloed, so you can easily make it to that area in less than 5 hours. I personally like the lakes just south of LLC, beautiful lakes with good fishing and easy portages. I spend a night on Fat and a night on Finger. Finger was amazing. I had most of these lakes to myself in the middle of July. I didn’t see anyone for 72 hours.




Tony"




Good info, just curious on your route and if you did the Slim to Fat unmarked portage? "



Yeah,
I did the old portage between Slim-Fat. It’s hard to see from the Slim side, but I found it ok. The portage itself wasn’t bad, lots of turns though so it could be trickier with a longer canoe. I had no trouble with my short solo canoe. I’d highly recommend it if you want to avoid the Steep area portages which are pretty rugged.


Tony
boonie 06/14/2019 09:24AM
IIRC, Loon is a motor lake, so you may want to go on past that. Like Jaywalker I enjoyed the loop through the little lakes south of LLC; you likely enjoy a good bit of solitude from Little Loon around to Oyster, if that's your plan. I did, but went in Sept.


I've found it's hard to take/give advice when you don't know the other person, so like Jaywalker said, if you're a young endurance athlete, listen to Tony. If you're old and not in that shape like me . . .
Jaywalker 06/14/2019 08:11AM
I'll second what Tony said; getting up to LLC or Little Loon on day one is no problem. I was there last year the week before Labour Day, and I saw no one camped or paddling on Loon or Little Loon, but that's always a random thing. The smaller lakes in that area were really nice and interesting - Slim, Fat, Finger, Pocket - and I always like Ga-Be and Oyster. Saw a few people but not too many until Oyster. I don't think I'd encourage most people to try to get to Fat by noon however. If I recall correctly, Tony single portages so is moving at a pace a bit faster than many of us can manage.
Georgiapaddler31 06/13/2019 07:02AM
Thanks Tony!
Jasonf 06/12/2019 10:49PM
GopherAdventure: "LLC is definitely doable on one day. I was camped on Fat Lake by noon on my entry day when I soloed, so you can easily make it to that area in less than 5 hours. I personally like the lakes just south of LLC, beautiful lakes with good fishing and easy portages. I spend a night on Fat and a night on Finger. Finger was amazing. I had most of these lakes to myself in the middle of July. I didn’t see anyone for 72 hours.



Tony"



Good info, just curious on your route and if you did the Slim to Fat unmarked portage?
GopherAdventure 06/12/2019 09:34PM
LLC is definitely doable on one day. I was camped on Fat Lake by noon on my entry day when I soloed, so you can easily make it to that area in less than 5 hours. I personally like the lakes just south of LLC, beautiful lakes with good fishing and easy portages. I spend a night on Fat and a night on Finger. Finger was amazing. I had most of these lakes to myself in the middle of July. I didn’t see anyone for 72 hours.


Tony
Georgiapaddler31 06/12/2019 08:30PM
Hello everyone! I'm doing some planning for a trip next summer and I have some questions for those of you with more experience in the BW. I did my first trip back in 2017. We entered through Stuart River up to Stuart, Iron, and Lac la Croix before exiting through Moose River North. It was a great trip. We particularly enjoyed Iron and Lac La Croix.

Looking at EP 14, I have a few questions. How busy is Loon Lake? Is it possible to make it to LLC from EP14 in a day? How are the lakes between Little Loon and LLC? Any route recommendations would be fantastic. We are looking for fishing (no particular species) and long views. We like solitude but it's not a deal breaker. Last year we saw maybe 4 groups in our first 5 days, and that was pretty great.