Hi Everyone!
Planning a 5 to 6 day trip September 2019 in the Clearwater, Pine, Rose loop area.

Understanding weather is unpredictable and varies from year to year, day to day... what type of weather, temps, precip, storms...like from earlier month (post Labor Day) as compared to last week?

Was wanting to travel last week, hoping to see some fall colors, but have heard it's typical to have a couple days of severe winds, blowing snow, and difficult canoeing.

Will be traveling party of six, and one member does not handle cold temps very well.

It was suggested that colors do not change much until late September and early October...that the sweet spot is probably September 8th-15th.

Any feedback and wisdom is appreciated.

Thank you!

Here are the historic (30 yr) averages, plus record highs and lows. There's a lot of variance there. I've generally had average weather during that time of year; this was not true in 2018.

I was up around Knife from the 8th thru the 13th and the trees were juuuuust starting to change. I think prime colors were like 2 weeks after that this year. If you want colors, I'd go the last week of September.

Thank you Boonie!!!

Thank you Flynn!!!

I was on the other side of the gunflint 2 weeks after labor day last year. The outfitter told us we were a week or so from peak the temps were from 30 to 70. The weather is very unpredictable in Sept no matter where you are in Minnesota I live in southern mn and have had 50 degree changes in 36 hrs. Prepare for the worst hope for best

Thank you "The Dude!"

I have paddled in that general area the past three years. I have gone in on the 12th, the 15th and the 17th. Highs have been up to 70°, the low has been 34°. Generally breezy but not too windy in the a.m. to early afternoon. I have had rain about 20% of the time, not much sun. Leaves are just starting too turn. I would say that the average high is high is around 58°, and the average low around 42°. Actual records may prove differently. It's by far my favorite time to paddle and I'll be doing it again during this same time frame in 2019.

Plan accordingly, dress in layers, bring wool (leave the cotton at thome), stay dry (feet included) and you will be fine. Stay close to the shore in case you dump so you can get to shore and out of your wet clothes quickly. If you plan on moving every day plan an extra day or two so you can stay put if needed and don't have to risk it in case of wind. The crowds are gone, there are no bugs, and sitting around a campfire on a nice cool night is awesome. The days are much shorter so take that into consideration. Bring a comfortable chair, an insulated pad, and a warm sleeping bag.

Thank you Northwoodsman!!! Appreciate the "real-time" perspective.

RoamingBuffalo: "
Will be traveling party of six, and one member does not handle cold temps very well.
"

I went the last week of September 2012 and the colors were exceptional. I got hardly any rain but a couple nights went down to the low 30's and one day was very windy. But I also had high temps in the 60's some days.

That one member who doesn't handle cold very well should get proper clothing. Good down jackets and good gloves will be priorities as well as rain gear. Down booties are great in camp so your feet stay warm.

Down Booties best of

Thank you Tom T... I agree with your comment about correct clothes...her bigger issue is psychological/attitude...when in it's cloudy and cold. Your email is very encouraging in support of last week in September. Thanks for link as well.

An Outfitter told me it "almost always" snows a couple days during last week of September with heavy snow blowing sideways and miserable... he encouraged me to plan a trip departing around Sept 8 or 10 instead.

Yet, our group was hoping to canoe closer to color peak.

Thank you "Illinois-Neighbor!"

RoamingBuffalo: "her bigger issue is psychological/attitude...when in it's cloudy and cold.""This would concern me for her enjoyment as well as the groups.

Thank you Amrillo for comment. You make a great point, and I agree. Hence my reason for trying to get an accurate assessment of what the weather "might " be like in late September.

I do have a tendancy to rely on what the outfitter told me...but he also made some comments, that lead me to believe he wanted to wrap up the season early.

Thanks again for your feedback.

I have gone the last week of Sept. the last 5 years. The colors are near peak (maybe a week early for prime colors). I've had snow twice but no accumulation. Most trips I've seen the sun 1 day or 2 partial days but generally it's cloudy. It can get windy so take a weather radio to plan your days and be prepared to alter your route.

RoamingBuffalo: "Hi Everyone!
Planning a 5 to 6 day trip September 2019 in the Clearwater, Pine, Rose loop area.

Understanding weather is unpredictable and varies from year to year, day to day... what type of weather, temps, precip, storms...like from earlier month (post Labor Day) as compared to last week?

Was wanting to travel last week, hoping to see some fall colors, but have heard it's typical to have a couple days of severe winds, blowing snow, and difficult canoeing.

Will be traveling party of six, and one member does not handle cold temps very well.

It was suggested that colors do not change much until late September and early October...that the sweet spot is probably September 8th-15th.

Any feedback and wisdom is appreciated.

was on South lake Sept. 17- 21 this year. very windy chilly weather. was only able to get the canoe out fishing 2 days due to high winds. almost had to stay extra days because of the wind but got a window late in the day. By the time we got to Gunflint Lake the wind had picked back up and it was almost dark. it made for quite the memorable adventure getting across Gunflint. great memories. LOL
Thank you!"

This is awesome info...just what I needed and very helpful.Thank you Amarillo!!!

Hey Canoeit....thank you! Very useful info!!!

This is awesome info...just what I needed and very helpful.Thank you Amarillo!!!

Thank you to everyone whom posted a comment regarding my post about September weather. Every comment was appreciated, and the cumulative comments have helped me clarify our plans. What a great community this is. A HEART FELT Thank you to all ... !!!

Regardless of when you decide to go you should have a plan to keep warm if the member (or anyone in your group) who doesn't handle cold well gets chilled. Dressing appropriately, bringing cold weather clothing that allows you to dress in layers, and snacking on food that has higher fat content can help keep a person warm in cold climate.
Gear like a light weight down or synthetic sweater or coat can make a huge difference in comfort if you can fit that under a wind and waterproof shell.

Bringing chemical hand warmers is a nice stop gap for when you need to warm hands up as well as other extremities like your feet.

Staying dry and keeping hydrated and drinking warm fluids all help to improve your chances of staying warm. Have a great trip as to me September is one of the best months to travel.

Thank you Seven of Nine! Great comments, and I will do as you have suggested..

I have been to Quetico for the last 5 years in mid-late September, early October. With the exception of 2018 and the rain, the weather has been mixed with 70's to 40's for highs and mid 20's to 60 for the lows. We missed the snow by one day this year, but the high temp was probably 47° and the low 35° for the full 7 days. The peak for color is getting later with the last few days of September and first few of October prime. If going just for the color and I had to make a decision now, it would probably be the first week of October and hope you don't have the flat jet stream we had this year.

Thank you MapsGuy!!! Awesome information, and very helpful. Also ...love your quote.

"If we aren't actively working to protect our planet, we are acquiescing to those who don't care about it." - John

Thank you!!!

I've been three times in mid-September, and had dramatically different weather each time.

First time, it pretty much rained the entire time. Second time, it rained a couple times, mostly late in the day and was windy as hell. Third time, had gorgeous weather and not a cloud in the sky nor a puff of wind beyond a "breeze" the entire time. In fact, it bordered on almost too warm without breeze and clouds.

Like you said... unpredictable. Be ready for anything. But I love that time of year. No bugs. Lesser crowds. Cold nights.

RoamingBuffalo: "Thank you Amrillo for comment. You make a great point, and I agree. Hence my reason for trying to get an accurate assessment of what the weather "might " be like in late September.

I'll say the weather "might" be about anything at that time. I've had beautiful blue skies, calm, and 80 degrees, but also 30's, snow, and windy. You might get something close to both in any one week, and something in between. Wind can make it feel colder. Rain, too. And both together - always a possibility - will make it feel quite cold. I've had a good bit of 60 degrees +/- 5 to 10 degrees with partly to mostly cloudy skies, wind, and occasional rain showers.

Most outfitters will recommend 2-3 weeks earlier for a better chance of good weather that people will be more prepared for.

You won't see much color until at least the last week of Sept. though. Good luck.

Hey Boonie! Thank you for posting a second time. Your comments are very valuable. Thank you. The one person that was most concerened about wind and cold...has decided to stay home on this trip...and do our July and August trips.

All of the comments on this forum were instrumental in her decision.

The remaining group is comfortable in all types of weather.

This will be our first trip in September and we're excited.

Thanks again... and thanks for the well wish of "good luck."

We'll be properly prepared and have a great time.

Hey Buck Flicks...thank you for sharing your actual experience over three visits. Truly appreciate your comments.

Now that my wife has decided not to join my boys and me for the September canoe trip...we are up for anything, and will love whatever nature gives us.

Thanks again!

You bet! I'm glad my limited experience is useful to someone!

We learned that paddling in the rain isn't an unpleasant experience as long as it's not cold and raining or windy and raining. I can deal with cold, and wind, and rain, but when it's 2 of the 3 together, I tend to lobby for a "stay in camp" day.

It's kind of fun to paddle when it's just softly raining if you have decent rain gear. When we do, we're just mindful of lightning and ready to get off the water in short order.