BWCA Falls chain July dangers Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
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05/13/2017 09:47AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
We are heading through the falls chain early July. Looking at the map it says dangerous waters and I had someone warn me about the route. We will have 5 kids but bow and stern paddlers are adults. Question is if the water level that time of year would make that area fairly tame or something to be a real concern? This is my first Quetico trip.
 
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billconner
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05/13/2017 10:09AM  
The ranger will warn you when you pick up permit of particular dangers but there are generally two landings - one further from falls than the other - and if in any doubt, simply use the ones further from the falls. The ranger has given me a one page "map" noting these the two times I've travelled the Falls Chain. And summer is probably not going to be risky at all at even the close in landings, but one good rain can change it.

Do beware that its easier to loose a canoe to the current here than many places. Either get it all the way out of the water or tie it up before turning your back on it, especially at landings close to falls.

Common sense and it won't be any issue at all.
BnD
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05/13/2017 03:16PM  
As Bill stated just listen to the Rangers warnings. We've done the Falls Chain 3 times previously and I will say we had 1 close call because we missed the longest take out at Canyon Falls in very high water. That was close, however, alls well that ends well. If you have novice paddlers I'd be sure they get a little practice. The top of the Falls Chain is not the place to learn. The reason for my response is mathematics. If you have 5 kids with adults in the bow and stern that's 15 people. Quetico limits group size to 9. Just making sure your aware.
05/13/2017 03:50PM  
2 canoes, 4 in one, 5 in the other. Traveled that way fine on a 64 mile trip. 18.5 SR Quetico canoes.
Eyedocron
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05/13/2017 06:04PM  
Been through there about 15 times over the years. Always check your maps ahead of time, so you are always on the correct side for a portage approach, and never try to go cross stream just above the falls, Common sense, but I've seen it done.
The most dangerous approach is at Kennybas Falls, between Kenny and Kawnipi.
Be sure to hang close to the left SW shore coming from Kenny, and if launching up into Kenny, hang to the right shore until fully clear of the current sweeping into the falls.
Beautiful area. Have a great trip. Most has regrown from the fire of the mid 90"s.
05/13/2017 06:59PM  
Thanks so much. Sounds like just using some sense, being cautious, and staying on the side where the portage is on should make it not be a problem. We have paddled some rivers but I do not want a whitewater ride.
05/14/2017 09:39AM  
Will echo what others are saying, the ranger in cache bay will give you a special map with specific directions and go over it in detail.

I have only been there is high waters, I thought it was easy, but my brother and his fiancé were on their first trip and they over shot the canyon falls portage and got out in the current, they paddled out of it pretty easily but the scary thing was is they had no idea they were in danger. All of a sudden my wife looks up from the portage and sees them going sideways in the current towards the falls and they are nonchalantly paddling...no idea of the danger...she yelled at them, "what are doing?" Like they were little kids... funny now but scary at the moment, once I told them to just paddle like hell they got out of the current and were fine. Obviously my brother didn't follow the ranger instructions. This was also some of the fastest current and high water Janice (the Ranger) said she had seen in a long time.

We travel the same way BTW. Souris River Quetico 18.5, 2 adults, 2 kids 6 and 10 years old now. If we do a tow pick up the kid that picks us up always says, "now I get it...I saw I had a 4 person 1 canoe pickup and was wondering what was going on."

T
05/14/2017 09:53AM  
vnzill, here is a map of the falls from when I went a few years ago. I think it is updated but gives ya an idea at least.

05/14/2017 08:06PM  

This should be the most current map.
mastertangler
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05/21/2017 05:27AM  
I would be certain to stagger my landing times at the various portages. Congestion could be you undoing. If the landing is "clean" then there is far less chaos.

Since there is kids involved I would also likely insist that the furthest portage be used. Whats another few rods of portaging? No bigey!

And lastly, I would have the leaders meet at the end of each portage before reentering the canoes and agree which side of the river is the next portage. Sure we all have maps but there are 5 falls (? > Been a while since I have went that way) and when your tired sometimes its easy to get confused. Then each canoe takes off 5 minutes apart. Be certain to involve the kids in the decision making process so they can grow and mature.
Schmoe
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05/26/2017 08:45PM  
I've taken 5 trips thru the Falls Chain, Canyon and Kennebas are both portages where I would warn you to be careful. The take out/put ins are very close to the top of these falls, with not much room to make mistakes. I have pictures of both falls that have partially sunken canoes trapped in the flow ( not ours! ). The ranger will let you know how the water levels are and how you will be affected. BTW, the fishing is great below all the falls!
Schmoe
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05/26/2017 08:45PM  
I've taken 5 trips thru the Falls Chain, Canyon and Kennebas are both portages where I would warn you to be careful. The take out/put ins are very close to the top of these falls, with not much room to make mistakes. I have pictures of both falls that have partially sunken canoes trapped in the flow ( not ours! ). The ranger will let you know how the water levels are and how you will be affected. BTW, the fishing is great below all the falls!
05/27/2017 08:22AM  
I agree with Schmoe. I have been through the Falls are in June for the past 3 years, and Canyon and Kennebas are the ones the I would be the most careful with.
05/27/2017 12:14PM  
The 4 Falls portage put in used to be much more dangerous until they extended that portage further.

As a general rule on the Falls Chain is to always take the portage junctions in such a way as to take the path that extends the portage (ie away from the water). There are many turn-off's and false landings. 4 Falls, Koko Falls, and Canyon Falls portage all have this situation. If heading towards Kawnipi, stay to the left at all the turns and you will end up at the most safe landing.
 
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