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 Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Trip Planning Forum How late is too late to go canoeing in October? Reply
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| Author | Message Text |
| Runningquist |
11/06/2019 08:58AM I survived!! Entered EP 32, and paddled up the South Kawishawi up to pretty much the last campsite before entering lake One and back. All in all, a great trip, put in Nov 1, got out of the water Nov 4th. Had snow every day except Sunday, but never more than an inch, if that. Usually flurries all day, except Monday we were paddling south west back to the EP into a storm that was blowing snow in our face. Though even then, the winds weren't too terrible. It was cold, but not bone-breaking cold. Once you got moving and paddling/portaging, you felt warm, but BRING YOUR LAYERS!! (And, have extra layers, I felt like I didn't have enough extra clothes in the event that we took a dip... though thankfully we stayed upright and in the canoes). The worst part was getting up in the morning when it was still in the 20s and your blood felt frozen! Trying to get out of my mountain bag took quite the effort!! It got dark early, so we didn't feel a need to really put the miles behind us, especially because the "us" consisted of myself, a veteran, a novice canoe pilot, and two green wilderness explorers. It was actually a nice change of pace to be in bed for 10/12 hours compared to my real life 5 hours a night! Loved the opportunity to explore some usually heavily trafficked areas with no other people around. It was eery knowing we may have been the only four people in all the millions of square miles of land! 
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| Runningquist |
10/08/2019 04:59PM Oh man I hadn't thought of that! That really puts a wrench in my plans! ;) |
| old_salt |
10/08/2019 03:42PM On November 1st it’s too late to go canoeing in October. |
| Runningquist |
10/08/2019 07:21AM Will do! I'm actually going to need to do it the first weekend of November. Gunna need a lot of layers! I'm driving up from southern Wisconsin, not certain on the route I'll take yet. I'll be going from the 1st- 4th. |
| FatTireBike |
10/08/2019 06:12AM Just wondering if you’re doing this trip? If so, please post what the conditions were like. Also where are you traveling from? |
| 900Lakes |
09/20/2019 12:51PM Just watch the weather forecast... it could be beautiful, and you could get a blizzard that lasts 3 days and dumps a foot of snow. (I think August is the only month in MN that has never seen snow) camp on spots that have prevailing wind protection (sites that face south-southeast), carry a small weather radio so you don't get 'surprised' and all your gear in buried in the morning (bring a small tarp to cover your gear) if the wind is strong and you see whitecaps... don't take chances, better late a day or two getting home than being dead... it can be far worse in the middle of the lake than from what it appears onshore. Going alone is dangerous - especially when the water is cold, don't take unnecessary chances, especially if you are alone! |
| OldTripper |
09/10/2019 07:19AMminnmike: " I have been in until late October but not into November. We really enjoyed our time and saw no one for 9 days." Same experience here... The latest trip I've done was we put in on Halloween at Lake One and came out November 9th at Moose Lake. Did the number chain out onto Alice, up thru Thomas/Fraser to Kekekabic & Eddy to SAK and border water back to Moose. The absolute best part of that trip was we never saw or heard another soul the entire time we were out. It's like we were the last two people on earth. It was amazing. |
| dex8425 |
09/09/2019 04:48PMRunningquist: "Hi all! Last year we went three times after October 1. The second weekend in October (6-8th or something like that) it snowed on our drive up to Sawbill and there was snow on the ground as we paddled away from the dock. It was 18 degrees the first night and 21 the second. All the bays and small ponds were iced over. My wife's feet were pretty frostbitten. Temps never reached the 40's and it was not sunny. Too cold for paddling! The last weekend in October it reached 50 one day, but was still below freezing one night. We backpacked, but could've paddled the larger lakes. The second weekend in November it was upper 20's at night and low 40's during the day. We backpacked, but we might have been able to paddle the larger lakes. |
| nctry |
09/08/2019 02:50PM Back in the ‘70’s and early 80’s we duck hunted wood lake MEA weekend. I’ve shared before... we usually had some ice which typically was no big deal. One year as we were going in we were riding up on ice then we’d jump up and down to break it. Probably about 5am we spotted a light and some waving. In a Grumman was a young couple that spent all night trying to get out. She’d chop while he pushed forward. They were very happy to see a boat that would bust a path for them to get out. Granted we haven’t had a lot of that for a few years. Just be careful and ready! |
| marsonite |
09/08/2019 11:34AM Here's a link for you with climate data for Ifalls on the last day of October. Weatherspark Highs can range from below 30 to near 60. Lows can be as high as mid 40's to the 20's. Snow does happen in October. The other thing in October that Weatherspark doesn't reflect is that you can get these fall low pressure systems that can result in days of wind and rain. I know people who have gotten pinned down by wind for several days that time of year. So the main thing is to watch the weather forecast, and be prepared to bail. And stay dry. |
| x2jmorris |
09/08/2019 08:34AM The ax and saw are main things I always bring and yeah definitely around that time. Being able to have decent fires and for long periods is part of the reason why I enjoy these trips but you have to work for it so bring the right tools. |
| bwcasolo |
09/08/2019 06:04AM It basically just depends on the weather, what kind of october will we get? i go week to week when october get's here and plan my trips then accordingly. short days, cold nights, or warm days and cold nights. some of my most enjoyable trips have been in october. seen plenty of snow and sleet and wind as well. warm clothes and hot fires. |
| x2jmorris |
09/07/2019 08:49PMMN_Lindsey: "Hands down my favorite time to camp is October. 0 degree overkill? For May, October, and November that is all I would bring. a 30 degree in June. July and August you don't even need one however they make the micro stuff ones that are basically lying a sheet around yourself. |
| MN_Lindsey |
09/07/2019 08:04PM Hands down my favorite time to camp is October. Just be prepared for cold. Like someone else mentioned, rain is the worst, but as long as its dry you're golden. The sun will feel warm, and just dress accordingly. Some might think its total overkill but I sleep in a zero degree sleeping bag. I just used it the week before Labor day and it was too hot, but October is perfect. We usually car camp in October ,but have been tempted to head to Mudro area in October. I bet its amazing. |
| Jaywalker |
09/07/2019 04:11PM Not sure of the exact dates, but think I did my first solo trip right around November 15 one year. It was a phenomenally warm year, and I did have to break some thin surface ice to get out of one lake. I've also done several Dec - March trips, so here are a few thoughts - not trying to discourage you from going - just trying to make you aware of the threats/challenges: - MinnMike is spot on - you are not really in trouble until the ice comes in. Simply put, ice can easily stop you from getting your canoe, your gear, and maybe you out. Thin ice can be broken, but at around 1/2 or so you are having to attempt to walk out - and that isn't easy. For years I've duck hunted from a canoe and have one day when the lake is wide open and the next day the whole lake - or maybe just the area around the boat launch is frozen too thick to break. Shallow water freezes much faster, so pay attention to that on your route. - Neither air temperature nor snow are your biggest concerns - getting wet is. At that time of year getting wet is deadly serious, and it can happen either from tipping over, falling out of your canoe, or just falling into the lake, or it can come from precipitation. Definitely wear your PFD, but know that that isn't any guarantee when water temps are cold. Familiarize yourself with effects of cold water immersion, and paddle much closer to shore than you would in July. To the earlier point about ice, keep in mind that the task of leaning over the bow of the boat to break ice is a very destabilizing thing - so be careful. As far as snow goes, I'd take snow at 25º over rain at 40º any day. Snow can fall off, but rain sticks. At that time of year, trying to dry out can be very very hard - so staying dry is important and having backup dry clothes is essential. I am assuming you have ample cold weather gear suitable for these temps. - Unlike summer when storms can come and go several times a day, late fall storms often hang around for days. One October I got windbound for 3 days. Be ready to sit it out if needed, and tell folks at home that that could happen. - Nights are long then, so I'd definitely bring an axe and saw for fire wood processing. Also consider extra lighting power. I've brought my clunky Coleman lantern on October trips. It is a bunch to pack, but the huge light is puts out is amazing. Remember it will be dark more than it is light. Good luck! It can be an amazing time to paddle - just be keenly aware of the different risks it presents. |
| x2jmorris |
09/07/2019 01:34PM Ha well a Grumman is basically an icebreaker itself. I like the colder weather. I have one tip for you though. Pending where you are going there are some lakes like Kawishiwi, Baker, and probably quite a few others that have camp sites right on the edge of the bwca. You could use those as backups or even main camps so that you have access to you vehicle. Normally these spots are busy but at that time they wouldn't be and they become an option for an easier trip with still a lot of isolation. Just an idea for you to consider. Opens the option of coolers/ beer cans/ and guaranteed heat up. Slightly different style trip though. |
| minnmike |
09/07/2019 01:23PM It's only too late to canoe when the lakes ice up. End of October record highs close to 60 and record low close to 10. But you will typically have highs in the low 40's and lows around 28. If you get lucky the BW can have a really nice "indian summer"(sorry if that offends but thats the term I know it by) in late Oct-early Nov. It can be sunny, calm and warm during the day and just gorgeous, or it can be cold, gray, windy, wet and test your resolve. Or a combination of both. Either way end of October you will have 13 hours of darkness, 14 if you include twilight time. When its dark the temps will drop. You definitely will want a saw and axe or hatchet for that time of year especially if it's wet for fires as you will need plenty of wood unless you go to bed at 6:30pm and sleep until 7:00am. I have been in until late October but not into November. We really enjoyed our time and saw no one for 9 days. Just bear in mind the water is dangerously cold that time of year. Try to stay close to shore when traveling and always wear your PFD. I hope you go and have a great fall trip. |
| Runningquist |
09/07/2019 01:08PM Great, thanks! That's a much more positive outlook than I was anticipating! Maybe I should add an in breaker to the front of my Grumman, just in case ???? |
| x2jmorris |
09/07/2019 12:47PM Up until Nov 10th I would expect temp in the 30's during the day. Mid 40 would be warmest scenario. At night I would expect probably low 20's maybe high teens. Significant snow? I think we have had significant snow around that time like twice since 1991. So not a high chance but there is a chance. You should be able to get an idea for a 5-7 day trip I would think if anything that large is coming through. Just remember wool socks, long underwear, very warm sleeping bag (0 or below), and warm clothes. I would plan on snowfall up to an inch. Oh yeah warm boots. |
| Runningquist |
09/07/2019 12:39PM Really? Wow I just kinda assumed the temperature just took a dive to articesque in October haha. But highs of 40 don't sound too bad. (As long as one stays dry that is!) How often do you get a significant amount of snow that late? |
| x2jmorris |
09/07/2019 10:50AM I think you are fine until about Nov 10th. Obviously every year is a little different but Oct 27-Nov 5 would be fine and really nice in my opinion. Yeah its cold but you can prepare for that. The isolation would be wonderful. Fires at night would be wonderful. I like sleeping in the cold so that would be wonderful. The highest you would see is probably mid 40s but if its calm and the sun is out it'll feel warmer :) The only thing that can really make it terrible is high wind or a non stop drizzle. |
| Runningquist |
09/07/2019 10:30AM Hi all! I've been going up to the BWCA for 6 years in a row now, and I was thinking my streak would end this summer because of a busy, busy August, but now I'm thinking I'd go up again in October. I've done a solo the first or second week of October, but this year it would probably be closer to the 20th or 27th. Probably not a solo, but maybe me and one other guy. How late have you gone? After what date would you say "you'd be insane to go..." I recognize that the weather can be absolutely bonkers in the BWCA, but that late in October would it be an almost guarantee of highs in the 30s or lower? Any thoughts, tips, and suggestions would be appreciated! -runningquist |
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