I finished putting my canoeing stuff away a couple of weeks ago.
Today, I already began making plans for my early June 2018 solo. I think I have my dates and my Q route planned.
Sort of sad to see 2017 canoeing end but very excited to look forward to 2018.

I'm pretty much the same way, GraniteCliffs - always looking ahead to the next trip with preliminary dates and entry/route options - often before I even finish the trip I'm on.

There is always one more lake to explore, one more portage to conquer, one larger fish to catch, one more campsite to envision, one more animal to observe, one more sip of clear, clean water to drink, one more sunset to experience, one more open fire to build and one more nasty weather event to overcome. Isn’t that why we enjoy it so much?
Keep on planning - I know I am because one day it will be over.

quote jdddl8: "There is always one more lake to explore, one more portage to conquer, one larger fish to catch, one more campsite to envision, one more animal to observe, one more sip of clear, clean water to drink, one more sunset to experience, one more open fire to build and one more nasty weather event to overcome. Isn’t that why we enjoy it so much?
Keep on planning - I know I am because one day it will be over.
"

Well put

quote GraniteCliffs: "

quote jdddl8: "There is always one more lake to explore, one more portage to conquer, one larger fish to catch, one more campsite to envision, one more animal to observe, one more sip of clear, clean water to drink, one more sunset to experience, one more open fire to build and one more nasty weather event to overcome. Isn’t that why we enjoy it so much?
Keep on planning - I know I am because one day it will be over.
"

Well put"

Agree; very well put. It is the winter months, especially as I get older, that motivate me to find that next spot that will beat all spots...

I've yet to find the spot that wasn't beautiful and special. I guess it is all relative. Maybe I'm not quite spoiled enough!

I have started planning 2018 as well...

So, what plans do we have?

quote boonie: "So, what plans do we have?"

Literally dreaming of a meandering 2-3 week trek from Beaverhouse to Moose. Other than staring at Beaverhouse and ending up at Moose, no real itinerary.

Some logistical issues to figure out to make this happen. I would like to drive to Ely and spend a night at Williams and Hall. Then, I want to leave my car there and make it to Beaverhouse the next day. No hurry on this day as I have never been to Atikokan, and would like to putz around the town and spend the night somewhere near Beaverhouse.

If I can arrange the transport from Ely to Atikokan/BH area, I am set. Working on convincing my wife to be my shuttle as it would be in her best interest to get rid of me for a few weeks, and that is really not that hard to sell. Once on the water @ Beaverhosue, I would literally meander for 2-3 weeks en route back to my car at Williams and Hall.

Would also love to have someone join me for some of this trek!

Frenchy that's a good way to go. Just let it happen.

For me I really want to do a tough "go lite" trip. Pierna Lake has my interest and is something I can't put off because of the difficulty. (I'm not getting any younger)

Ideally I get a new 30 lb. solo to replace my 50 lb. one. I will go barebones with no depthfinder, no chair and much dehydrated food. My dog would be with this time too.

TomT - I sent you an email.

quote boonie: "So, what plans do we have?"

Spring 2018 Epic solo
Moose lake- Agnes-Chatterton Falls-Kawnipi-Falls chain- Man chain
(Need the long days of late May for this one)

Fall 2018 (hopefully with my wife)
Leisurely, Fall color seeking, 30-40 mile loop. Probably BH entry

Already thinking of 2019 and beyond

"Already thinking of 2019 and beyond" . . .

Pretty much describes me all the time - must be something wrong with me :)

I have various options I'm looking at, but also too many scenarios and uncertainties to say for sure right now. Options based on not just solo, but if someone comes with me, which one (or which combination of people) comes with me, what time frame we have, etc. There's also the uncertainty about my physical condition after the heart attack, and even more than TomT, I'm not getting any younger and in fact may already be too old for some things . . .

Still hoping to do the Frost River, Louse River, possibly in one long trip. The Phoebe River/Lady Chain is another option. Possibly a loop out of Seagull, maybe including Ogish, Kek, Knife and NE of there.

The Q, and then maybe WCPP, maybe even Wabakimi. But I'm really running out of time . . .

I have had my 2018 Wabakimi trip kinda, sorta planned since last summer.
Traveling with a buddy.
West side entry, Smye or Heathcote...then loop around and back.
Same sort of issues here...bad knee, bad shoulder.
My buddy had a heart attack a couple yeas ago, so we are keeping an eye on that, too.
But, sheesh! I'm not climbing Mt. Everest here, I'm just going for a short paddle... <:-o

quote boonie: ""
The Q, and then maybe WCPP, maybe even Wabakimi. But I'm really running out of time . . .
"

The time has come! The time is now! Why not? I think you would enjoy the falls chain in Quetico.

quote TomT: "

quote boonie: ""
The Q, and then maybe WCPP, maybe even Wabakimi. But I'm really running out of time . . .
"

The time has come! The time is now! Why not? I think you would enjoy the falls chain in Quetico. "

It might happen - maybe even this year, but more likely after that; depends partly on some things out of my control at the moment.

Tell me more about the falls chain - entry, route, time, miles, portages, camps . . .

quote boonie: "
Tell me more about the falls chain - entry, route, time, miles, portages, camps . . ."

Coming from the south at Prairie Portage is the way I accessed it. I think going out of Cache Bay off the gunflint trail is probably the easiest way. A nice loop is man chain, falls chain to McEwen Lake then east to Agnes Lake before going south back to PP. I did the reverse of that in 2013. You will also take in the awesome Louisa Falls as you enter Agnes. A real nice spot to camp on the Falls chain is next to Bald Rock Falls.

If you go off the Gunflint I'm sure one of those outfitters on the trail can help you with anything you might need including a tow your first day. My feeling is once you go to Quetico you'll never look back. :)

Thanks, I'll have to reread that trip report.

quote boonie: "Thanks, I'll have to reread that trip report."

I agree with TomT; go in through PP via the Man Chain if you decide to tackle this area! I am too lazy to post trip reports, but I have gone this route a number of times and really never tire of it and would happily give you some ideas if you are interested.

quote Frenchy19: "
I agree with TomT; go in through PP via the Man Chain if you decide to tackle this area! I am too lazy to post trip reports, but I have gone this route a number of times and really never tire of it and would happily give you some ideas if you are interested."

I decided to do it clockwise out of PP because I didn't want to be going downstream on the falls chain. Going upstream is cool because you first hear the falls then get a real good look at them with no chance of sliding over them.

Also, the Louisa to Agnes portage next to Louisa Falls is one of the steepest in the park. It's doable going downhill counterclockwise but I know I would never want to do it if the rocks were wet. Going clockwise you can climb up the portage fairly easily using roots and rock hand holds. If it's warm out or you're a brave sucker you can wade in the "bath tub" right under the falls. It's approx five ft. deep.

I did it counter clockwise last year from Cache. I did Louisa Falls in the rain. As long as you portage on the left (south side) you won’t have a problem. The ranger Janice can give you all the info you need on the falls chain so you won’t fall off the edge.

Thanks for the information. I won't know if it will be possible for a quite a while yet. Some questions:

I'd need an RABC, which takes about how long to get?

If it became possible for me at the last minute, but not soon enough to get an RABC, I could enter through Atikokan since I have a passport card - correct? But what route then?

I guess the entry point(s?) would be different from Prairie Portage or Cache Bay? And also different at Prairie Portage depending on whether I go clockwise or counterclockwise?

I like not having to get the RABC so will be doing northern entries for the time being. Doing the falls chain from there would be a long trip. You might do some research for routes at the pp site.

I've made only one trip from the north and can tell you that the B chain is gorgeous. As is Russell Lake.

I figured it would be too far for the Falls Chain. What is the B Chain and what entry? I think it would only be a little longer drive for me to Atikokan than it is to Grand Marais. It was only about 50-some miles and an hour longer when I went back through Canada from Grand Marais a few years ago.

All my trips are from the north and the options are diverse. Russell is great and the routes to get there are nice as well. Dore and Twin Lakes are lovely while Deux Rivieres is a good paddle, though sometimes a trek if the water is low. Chatterton Falls is fantastic.

If I'm not mistaken, doing the Atikokan entry also costs les per night, correct??

quote boonie: " What is the B Chain and what entry? "

French Lk. Stanton Bay or Nym entries for the B Chain which is just south of Pickerel. Lakes Bisk, Beg, and Bud I believe. Fern is a nice place to camp also.

You might look into staying at the Quetico College your night before. It's my understanding that with Stanton Bay you can only leave your car in the lot if it has a Canadian plate. So what I think people do is use an outfitter to shuttle your vehicle to exit at another entry.

And yes, it is cheaper per day with the northern entries.

Hey Frenchy I think we would make a great team......Ying and yang, salt and pepper, Tom and Jerry, Batman and Joker! I think it would work out great but just in case we should consider removing all sharp objects, no knives, hatchets etc.

I have a counter in my shop which is about 15ft long and its dedicated to the "next" canoe trip. Right now it has a paltry amount of fishing equipment laid out and some new maps.

I know this might be weird to some, but the thought sort of popped into my mind that it might be an alter of sorts. Sheesh, do I worship canoeing and fishing? I keep pushing the thought down but there is little doubt that I spend a lot of time either thinking about going or preparing to go. On the other hand has God not given me all things "to richly enjoy"? And am I not instructed to do what I set my hands to with all my might?

In any event I am looking at the trip back to WCPP for 26+ days which I had set my heart on last year and some lack of training prevented me from going. Can't let that set me back this year!

I'm always planning, but don't know for sure what 2018 will bring yet. With my work schedule May and early August are my only options. My middle one will be finally a Doctor in May and I probably will have one more move to do. At least she will be getting a relocation package. Hey four years of residency and she will be making money!

Ethan will be coming back to see his sister graduate so maybe we can getaway for awhile then. I promised him a WCPP trip for a graduation present and wanted to do that in '18 but he is working and starting grad school so don't think that will happen for a couple years.

So that means that I can get away in August and going to hit the options for a solo hard during my time off in December. Solo if I can keep my ankle and neck in the game . The older we get........

quote jcavenagh: "If I'm not mistaken, doing the Atikokan entry also costs les per night, correct??"

You are correct.

quote KevinL: "
So that means that I can get away in August and going to hit the options for a solo hard during my time off in December. Solo if I can keep my ankle and neck in the game . The older we get........ "

Yep, you got that right. The time for us geezers to get in shape for 2018 canoeing should start now even if it's just stretching every day and watching our weight. There's nothing worse than being out of shape on a canoe trip we've dreamed and planned for.

I see the bright side because these future trips help me be motivated to do the right things with my body. It's a nice longevity bonus.

quote mastertangler: "Hey Frenchy I think we would make a great team......Ying and yang, salt and pepper, Tom and Jerry, Batman and Joker! I think it would work out great but just in case we should consider removing all sharp objects, no knives, hatchets etc."

Made me laugh out loud! Thanks, I needed that. WCCP is a dream of mine, but I am not sure my skills would see me through. Some day...

quote Frenchy19: "

quote mastertangler: "Hey Frenchy I think we would make a great team......Ying and yang, salt and pepper, Tom and Jerry, Batman and Joker! I think it would work out great but just in case we should consider removing all sharp objects, no knives, hatchets etc."

Made me laugh out loud! Thanks, I needed that. WCCP is a dream of mine, but I am not sure my skills would see me through. Some day..."

Not so hard......There are established and maintained portages. They are just a wee bit harder to find sometimes is all. Other than that it is much the same as other places except you usually don't see many folks around. If I can do it you can to ;-)

I must admit after my second trip this summer I kind of mentally walked away from canoeing for the rest of the summer but this last Friday my brother in law Tim and I each got a new tent that was on sale which rekindled my excitement for next year. I will say I’ve gone two years in a row in May and both times it’s been rainy and cold but went a second time this summer in July and it was great. I will skip next May for sure and plan on sometime in June, July or August.

quote TomT: "Frenchy that's a good way to go. Just let it happen.


For me I really want to do a tough "go lite" trip. Pierna Lake has my interest and is something I can't put off because of the difficulty. (I'm not getting any younger)


Ideally I get a new 30 lb. solo to replace my 50 lb. one. I will go barebones with no depthfinder, no chair and much dehydrated food. My dog would be with this time too.


"

To Pierna............following the creek from Sark? Or overland from Gamblemater? Looks like a good challenge either way.

Planning a solo to Hoare one more time. Already completed 2 of the ways in. Now for the final way. :)

quote Kiporby: "

quote TomT: "Frenchy that's a good way to go. Just let it happen.



For me I really want to do a tough "go lite" trip. Pierna Lake has my interest and is something I can't put off because of the difficulty. (I'm not getting any younger)



Ideally I get a new 30 lb. solo to replace my 50 lb. one. I will go barebones with no depthfinder, no chair and much dehydrated food. My dog would be with this time too.



"

To Pierna............following the creek from Sark? Or overland from Gamblemater? Looks like a good challenge either way."

Hmmm........good to have the dog along......."Go get help Lassie" ;-)

quote jcavenagh: "I have had my 2018 Wabakimi trip kinda, sorta planned since last summer.
Traveling with a buddy.
West side entry, Smye or Heathcote...then loop around and back.
Same sort of issues here...bad knee, bad shoulder.
My buddy had a heart attack a couple yeas ago, so we are keeping an eye on that, too.
But, sheesh! I'm not climbing Mt. Everest here, I'm just going for a short paddle... <:-o"

Keeping an eye on doing this again too James. Let me know how your planning is going and what your group decides on. Always looking for ideas!

Sent an email to you Frenchy19 on the B-house idea.

quote Kiporby: "
To Pierna............following the creek from Sark? Or overland from Gamblemater? Looks like a good challenge either way."

I would follow the creek then out the same way. There is some detail on this in Tim Mead's book called Quetico Adventures. I don't have a desire to go to Gamblemater. Maybe if I was 25 again.

quote HighnDry: "Sent an email to you Frenchy19 on the B-house idea."
Would be wonderful to bump into each other!