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kirkbomb
  
07/21/2018 04:17PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Has anyone paddled from EP 12 over to LLC rather than taking a tow? I'm wondering how long it would take and if it makes sense to save some $$

Thanks
 
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billconner
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07/21/2018 06:47PM  
Looks like 2 days. 28 or so?

If it were busy season, i might be botherd by motors. Im not o moose but these are much bigger.

LIS is significantly less - like 17-18 miles?
07/21/2018 08:10PM  
Id use LIS or moose river north EPs if a tow is not financially possible. There is alot of motor boat traffic on the Loon River at times and parts are very narrow. Id highly recommend a tow from Crane Lake (ive used Andersons). I personally like LIS over Moose River N.

M
billconner
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07/22/2018 06:36AM  
Did you consider driving to Q ranger station on LLC - looks like 5 hours from Crane Lake? Day permit in and out of the Q if you're heading to BWCAW. Just a different approach.
old_salt
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07/22/2018 07:34AM  
Kinda depends on where you’re headed? Trip objectives? Tell us more.
billconner
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07/22/2018 12:12PM  
Do they take canoes at Loon Falls portage and what do they charge for the mechanized portage into the west branch of Loon? I can paddle 20+ miles in a day (still) if only a portage or two, and there are just the two. I guess that one is not very significant at 67 rods looking flat and I know Beatty Portage is nothing.
lkosh
  
07/22/2018 12:20PM  
I' like to piggy back on the initial question of route suggestions. Due to last minute trip planning, EP 12 was one of my only options. I'd also like to not pay for a tow, but rather paddle. My plan was to get out of motorized areas ASAP and swing down the southern part of Loon Lake toward Pauness, then head east. Any suggestions on this? My entry date is 7/29. How difficult do would it be to paddle Loon River and Loon Lake?
billconner
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07/22/2018 02:19PM  
First, if its really LIS north area you'd like, don't discount possibility of last minute cancellation and a EP14 being available.

I look forward to that border trip to Voyageurs someday, and motor traffic doesn't bother me that much, certainly not like some have an aversion to it, and I like long paddles. It would be a long day from EP12 to Loon - 20 miles or so and shorter days (sunset) - but doable. Then not much to Pauness - half a day at most?

Loon Lake can get nasty. Last year both crossings - EP14 to LLC and back to EP14 several days later - were challenging with west winds and that long arm to the west if even less than a mile. Rollers and white caps coming across your route is ..... invigorating. I did cross it some years ago and it was like glass.

Best I can give you.
kirkbomb
  
07/22/2018 03:03PM  
Decided to make the longer drive over the the Grand Marais side and put in at Homer instead. More trip options available and less work required. The paddle down the river with boats zipping by didn't sound too fun. Thanks all for the input.
lkosh
  
07/22/2018 03:07PM  
Thanks for the tip on cancellations--one permit for LIS just opened up and I was able to snatch it! I'm bringing a first-timer, so I'm glad we're able to get a non-motorized EP.
billconner
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07/22/2018 06:16PM  
Congrats!
 
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