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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum

Winter Camping and Activities

Honest Question

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Date/Time: 05/02/2024 05:24AM

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Honest Question

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Previous Messages:
Author	Message Text
Doughboy12	12/22/2014 08:42AM Take a snowmobile up to the Brule parking lot...? Just an option I think would work but not sure about the permit thing at that point? I also wonder how they would feel about someone plowing the road???
BWCA66	12/18/2014 06:33PM I have been to Frost from both Sawbill and Ham Lake, never from Brule which is the shortest route but you can't get to Brule in the winter. Either Ham or Sawbill would be very rough or a first timer in the winter. The Ham route would most likely have open water in the river on the first part that you would have to work you way around and then miles of unbroken trail. If you have never attempted trekking in the wilderness and breaking your own trail I would suggest something less ambitious as a first trip. Snow shoeing or fat skis can be very slow and tiring. I would go to Sawbill and see what it is like. You may find a dog sled trail up to Cherokee and that would make it a much easier trip. If you find the going tough across Sawbill though you could go into Alton for a shorter trip - spent a few nights there in February a couple years back and it was beautiful.
NotLight	08/05/2014 07:48AM quote Duckman: "Say I wanted to go to Frost Lake in the winter. What kind of trip am I looking at? Number of days, etc., is it even possible? Total rookie on this, know the route by heart by boat and foot, but winter would be new." Speaking as another relative newbie, I am guessing, with fat skis, traveling very light, you could do it in one very very long day. But, I would take 2 days or 3. If you are traveling light, you want to slow down enough so that you aren't perspiring so much that your clothes get really damp - even if you are properly layered. Tough to dry out. My version of light would be cold tenting with a very warm sleeping bag, white gas stove, 4qt aluminum snow melting pot, and minimal fishing gear. If you are hot tenting and have 100 lbs of stuff, I have no idea it would take. I agree with starting much less ambitious. You can easily use up an entire winter and $1000 just getting your backcountry skis/snowshoes set up, plus rigging up a DIY sled harness, and working out the bugs on day trips. On day trips you'll figure out how to deal with sticky snow, ice, wet gloves, how to sit down and rest and not get wet/cold doing it.
marsonite	08/05/2014 06:02AM quote Duckman: "So Sawbill to Frost. Sawbill, Ada, Skoop, Cherokee River, Cherokee, Gordon, Unload, to Frost. Best case scenario, two days in?" It's actually quite a bit closer to go from the Gunflint side; enter Cross Bay and go through Long Island. Looks like it's about 12 from Sawbill and more like 8-9 from Cross Bay Lake. However, I'm with Pinetree. That's too rugged of a route for a beginner.
Duckman	08/04/2014 10:30PM So Sawbill to Frost. Sawbill, Ada, Skoop, Cherokee River, Cherokee, Gordon, Unload, to Frost. Best case scenario, two days in?
Jaywalker	08/04/2014 11:01AM Travel time to Frost would also depend a lot on how deep the snow is and how much trail you have to break. Id think that would not be a fast trip in (or out). For both inspiration and eduction, consider attending the Winter Camping Symposium this fall Symposium , and watch some YouTube videos from Lure of the North , especially the Snowwalkers Video. Good places to start to learn what all it takes.
PINETREE	08/04/2014 09:44AM I do have a suggestion,if your a first time winter camper,try something not so far in and than you can check out your equipment and yourself. I love winter camping,but it takes a little more precaution,but it is very rewarding and well worth it.
DanCooke	08/04/2014 09:36AM Are you going to Cold camp or Hot tent? Weight of your gear- sled or Pack? Ski or Snowshoe? Your general fitness level? Consider going in from Ham lake Entry?
Doughboy12	08/04/2014 07:35AM quote PINETREE: "I think youR entry point lake which I assume is Brule is not plowed too in the winter. So you may be adding a few miles." You are correct sir.
PINETREE	08/02/2014 04:13PM I think youR entry point lake which I assume is Brule is not plowed too in the winter. So you may be adding a few miles.
Duckman	08/01/2014 09:37PM Say I wanted to go to Frost Lake in the winter. What kind of trip am I looking at? Number of days, etc., is it even possible? Total rookie on this, know the route by heart by boat and foot, but winter would be new.