BWCA Late July solo plans Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
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Sloanstavern
member (42)member
  
07/03/2018 11:30PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Getting the last details set for a week long solo trip during the last week of July. I will enter at Beaverhouse, then through Quetico and Badwater to Omeme to spend the first night. Then over the next 6 days explore, fish and camp at Bearpelt, back up to Badwater, Fair Lake, and some of the lakes not named.

I finally upgraded my tent and summer bag thanks to a sale at Dick's Sporting Goods.

On my latest trial pack, I have all my gear, food and clothes in one pack at 45 lbs. Not so worried about weight on most portages, but that mile-long slog to Badwater is a beast.

Have my spin cast gear and this trip I’m bringing my fly gear for a go.

Will post pictures and trip report upon return

 
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carmike
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07/04/2018 09:45PM  
The portage into Badwater isn't nearly as bad as it used to be -- or at least it wasn't the last time I went through there (after very, very heavy rains). Long walk in the woods. :)

I have read that the route to Omeme has become much, much more difficult after the big beaver dam went out. No personal experience, so I can't say. If you haven't been there, be careful walking through some of the high grass that need to traverse after leaving Badwater...Tons of ruts and anklebreakers in there.

Plus, I did once find a bag of marijuana on the campsite on Omeme. I left it there for the next guy....Who knows, it might still be there. If that's your thing, check under the big pine tree.
Sloanstavern
member (42)member
  
07/05/2018 08:02AM  
Morning,
I know the Q-BW portage too well...probabaly made the slog 12 times over 40 years. To me it is the combo of length, elevation and muck that makes it challanging. But it is what it is.

I found a by pass for the BW-O route that skips the creek. On the norther most tip of BW is a .3 mile portage to O, more of a game trail but very passable.

I will pass on the left overs, but report back if I see it.
I used to go here a lot with my dad, but have not been to Bearpelt since the '85. I walked that creek 2 years ago with my son, but we did not fish or camp on BP
carmike
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07/06/2018 10:00AM  
Oooh, I do remember hearing about a different way into Omeme. Thanks for the reminder.
07/07/2018 12:06AM  
The last time I tried to go from West Cub to Bear Pelt there was absolutely no water as far as I could see. It looked pretty open so you can probably walk along the creek but I didn’t see any portage. I think it would be a long walk!
Sloanstavern
member (42)member
  
07/07/2018 08:56AM  
I was there in 2016 with my son, we walked all the way to BP between the treeline and the scrub ( no gear or canoe, just scouted). The creek was flowing pretty good all the way to the junction, but nothing coming out of BP into the creek.

The plan on this trip is to check it out and if flowing take the plunge and camp in BP. If not I may keep camp in Omeme and just fish BP for a day. From satellite images I see a small lake north of the creek between West O and North BP. I plan to bushwhack in and see what it has to offer.
Sloanstavern
member (42)member
  
08/06/2018 09:17PM  
I tried several time to get trip report started with no luck, so I will post here instead. I will break it into several posts for readability.

I grew up in St Paul and our family had a remote cabin on Sand Point lake, 18 miles water locked from the nearest town, Crane Lake. It was our sole vacation spot, along with trips to BWCA and Quetico for 25 years. As a kid I took a half dozen trips to Quetico with my dad, grandpa, aunts and uncles. As a young man I made several trips with friends, then in '85 when I moved to Arizona, it all stopped. In 2015 I came back for a solo and in 2016 I brought my 21 year old son, who loved the Crane lake area, and he saw what a special place Quetico park is. This year I extended the route to try and gain access to Bearpelt and I had some new gear to field test. Hope you enjoy the report

New Gear used and reviewed:
North face Sequoia 2 tent ( Dicks sporting goods),
NF Wasatch 45F sleeping bag ( Dicks sporting goods)
Canoe sail (AUNAZZ/Downwind Wind Sail Kit 42 inches Kayak Canoe Accessories, Easy Setup & Deploys Quickly, Compact & Portable Green) Amazon
Moon Lence Ultralight Folding Camping Chairs Beach Chairs with Carry Bag Amazon
AZOT Solar Charger 12000 mAh Portable Solar Power Bank with 3 Foldable Waterproof Solar Panels 2 USB fits iPhoneX, iPhone7, iPad, Samsung Cell Phone for Travelling Outdoor Camping - Amazon
TRIWONDER Waterproof Hammock Rain Fly Tent Tarp Footprint Camping Shelter Ground Cloth Sunshade Mat for Outdoor Hiking Beach Picnic (Orange, S - 98 x 59in) - Amazon
Balaclava Full Face Mask Motorcycle Helmet Liner Breathable Multipurpose Outdoor Sports Wind Proof Dust Head Hood - Amazon
Sloanstavern
member (42)member
  
08/06/2018 09:31PM  
July 24th Arrived in MSP and drove to Atikokan to pick up my 15 ' solo Kevlar canoe at Canoe Canada and Spent the night at their bunkhouse - for $15 a night a great set up and a nice compnay they have always taken great care of me.



Last home cooking at the white otter on departure morning-



First open water on Beaver House

Sloanstavern
member (42)member
  
08/06/2018 09:34PM  
Left Atikokan with canoe and permit July 25th at 08:00. Wind was from the North and overcast with slight drizzle. Entered Beaverhouse at 09:45 and northly wind was picking up. The parking lot was full (12 cars) and a large group was just leaving in their shuttle.

When I solo, I take on large (heavy pack) and one small light pack with just bulky light things (clothes and sleeping bag to carry with the canoe). Paddling along with the nice tailwind, I thought I would try the pop up sail. It only weighs 14 oz and is easy to use and stow. It secures to the front most cross rail and you control it with two cords at the top. This is nice so if you get a gust of wind or are off balance, you can just release the cords and it goes limp. Never tie the top cords to anything. I could not steer the canoe with the cords very well so I held them both in one hand and used a paddle locked under one arm in the other to serve as a rudder. In a light wind it matched my speed paddling and when the wind picked up it took off. I have sailed in the past so I would estimate my speed at 8-10 mph. Not only does this save some energy and make up some time but it is a total blast! I actually used it to sail up the little rapids just before the first portage into Quetico. Clearly this is not for everyone, and you can only use it occasionally but it was a hit on this trip. Will add video link.
08/07/2018 06:19AM  
Can't wait to hear more! Thanks for posting.
Sloanstavern
member (42)member
  
08/07/2018 09:27AM  

Found a truly dedicated "Cheesehead" in the Beaverhouse parking lot.


The rapids from Beaverhouse to Quetico were running good, but a bit low.

Just like taking off ski boots, it always feels good to get the mud boots off.
Sloanstavern
member (42)member
  
08/07/2018 09:31AM  
The portages into Quetico Lake were uneventful - the water was a bit low. The one mile long portage into Badwater was damp, but solid. No running water on the first incline, and the low spots were damp, but no standing water. There were a lot of foot prints on the trail all coming one direction out, maybe that large group had just left.

Finished my two trips, three legs in 90 minutes. I take the heavy bag first, then cool off on the walk back. Mosquitos were normal beasts, but a head net and long sleeve shirt did the job. The short .3 mile Omeme portage was fine with signs of recent chain saw trail work. Was at the shore of Omeme at 15:45.

I set up camp in the drizzle and tried to get out fishing, but the thunder heads were moving in. The NF tent went up fast and smoothly. Very nice unit that stands alone and does not require stakes unless you want to use them. Two nice vestibules and doors on both sides. The ground cloth did not fit perfectly, but is slightly longer. Very high quality and has good use as a tent foot print or tarp. I will buy another to carry for use as a tarp. The chair was a star. Light and easy to pack and set up, stable and very comfortable.


View from Omeme camp site


Setting up camp in light rain


Camp site with storm coming




Either I forgot my utensils or packed them so well I could not find them. Either way, I had to make a "spoon" while my water was boiling.

Sloanstavern
member (42)member
  
08/07/2018 09:50AM  
Sorry I can no get a video upload but here is the sail in action

Sloanstavern
member (42)member
  
08/07/2018 07:18PM  
July 26th
The next morning, I went out fishing at 05:45, wind still from the north and weather was broken clouds and unstable. Paddled right around the corner and into a shallow bay where I found the walleyes in 8-10 feet of water in the submerged weeds hunkered down in the mud flats. They bit and fought like Northerns. In one little bed, over the course of 60 minutes, I pulled 16 walleyes, all 1.5 - 3 lbs. They were very aggressive, I believe, because the low pressure weather was still pushing in. They all bit on a rubber minnow with a whale tale from Walmart - silver / white color. Tried other darker colors but with less success. Later in the day fishing was more normal. No major news.


This guy got me 36+ fish before his tail fell off.....time to send him to the HOF


Here is the "supper"

Add $.90 potatoes Foil, olive oil, seasonings, and 10 minutes over a fire.
Sloanstavern
member (42)member
  
08/07/2018 07:29PM  
During the day I used my home made wood gasification stove. It fits in my Titanium mess kit and all together the system weights 15 oz. Requires just a handful of twigs and you can boil .5 liters in 7 minutes.







At camp there was a large snapping turtle ( 16”) that was way too friendly, obviously previous campers had been feeding them. He never left the site and later his big brother showed up ( 24” ). They looked like something from Jurasic park


.



More evening thunder showers. Fishing was slow but a few walleyes where cought. Very few northers, I think walleyes out numbered them 5 to 1


Sloanstavern
member (42)member
  
08/09/2018 10:56AM  
July 27th
Weather was clear and more calm, fishing was slow and not as aggressive. More soft strikes.
I broke camp and started out to spend the night in Bearpelt. I made it through Cub lake ( very shallow) more of a side part in the creek. But since I kept a hook in the water I found a pocket of walleyes just before the creek outlet. Caught 10+ walleyes all 2-5 lbs just off shore jigging the same rubber minnow. I would let the lure fall just bellow sight and they would strike. Some times I could coax them up to the point where I could just see the lure, then the flash of gold. Great time.









The creek was passable but weeing up, this dam helped. I padeled down to the intersection and found an abanded beaverhouse with a couple otters living near by, they just looked at me. I walked over to Bearpelt, no moving water between the two. It was too long and difficult of a walk for me to portage all my gear on a solo trip, maybe next time. The water was quite low as well





 
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