I'm going on my first trip in the Fall of 2019. I'm already thinking I'll want to come back, repeatedly. With that in mind I know if I purchase a canoe, etc. I'll end up saving money but then I think about my 13-14 hour drive and I don't want to get all excited (spend money) and then only go every other year.

Do you that live at a distance just rent each time and fly up, or do you just suck it up and do the drive yearly?

Here’s what we did. Rent for the first few trips but spend a bit of time in Ely on either end and make some friends. Then buy a couple of used canoes (one to share with friends who we invite and one for us) and store them under a friend’s deck. Then buy a cabin so you have your own place to store the canoes and all of our camping gear. Actually, it might be cheaper to just rent each time. :)

Our drive is 32 hours of road time. So we fly. I think you are at a crossover point. Driving will make it much easier to take your gear due to baggage limits on planes. We used to ship our gear and that was a pain. Also, most people who fly in go to MSP and rent a car. So that’s an added expense. At your distance, I think I would drive. Anything fun to do for a stop enroute?

When I travel to the Gunflint side it's 1057 miles (one way) w/17 to 19 hrs drive time from my driveway. I do not get good mileage because I also tow a 27 ft. travel trailer with a 2015 Tundra. It guzzles gas when towing but I don't like staying in a hotel or motel anymore. I justify the expense because it's my vacation and my money. Simple.
On one trip I packed an extra tent and car camped at same campgrounds that I normally stop at on the route to and from. Gas mileage was better, of course, but drive time didn't change significantly.
Been doing this trek since 2008 and had to skip BWCA trip on two years.
My name is Mike. I am addicted. ;-)

Buy a used canoe in great shape and save yourself some $$ for the yearly treks. I got a darn good deal on a used UL Prism in 2008. You just have to allocate funds, be patient and bide your time looking at listings. A bargain is bound to come your way.

andym: "Anything fun to do for a stop enroute?"

The smart thing to do, of course, is to rent and be sure. What fun is that? What DOES sound fun is buying the property!

I think I would be power driving back to save a vacation day. If I always took someone with me then the drive there and back is just time and not effort, but I'm thinking I may go solo here and there.

I think it's a good idea to make some friends to store my canoe there but I don't think I could resist using it and exploring lakes (not as nice as bwca/Q) around me for long weekends.

Basically I think I could reserve five days of vacation each year to do these trips. That means leaving after work on Friday and getting there either late Friday night or Saturday if I had to pull over and sleep. I COULD go in late (Noon) Saturday and camp reasonably close. I'd then come out later the following Saturday and start my drive home.

976.54 miles to get to Ely :) Bought my canoe back in 1994 from Piragis Northwoods. That canoe has probably been on about 80 trips to Quetico and the BW. Plus I lived up there in '07 and fished the BW every day from May to October. The canoe has paid for itself many times over. I did an interview with Canoe and Kayak Magazine a few years ago about my canoe, I will add a link below.....

C&K interview

Ours first trip started from Batavia, IL. Our friends there used the following strategy. Finish packing on Friday evening, leave house in time to stop at Dunkin Donuts when it opens on Saturday, drive to Ely in time to pick up permit with a stop in Wisconsin to buy cheese, enter first thing Sunday morning, exit Saturday midday, shower in Ely, drive until tired, grab a motel room, finish drive on Sunday. They are a bit closer than you but that was how they maximized the length of the trip with only 5 days off.

BTW, the end of a fall trip is a good time to buy a used canoe from outfitters. You might even be able to arrange that beforehand.

Taking our time, stopping to eat about 15 hours. Not in a hurry.

1100 or 1200 miles to Ely, depending on which of us you ask.

We usually take two travel days though we have done it straight through. We get to Ely around lunch of the second day, hit Zup's for stocking up on food and spend the night at the outfitters. Leave early the next morning.

We all have canoes but we leave them at home and rent our boats. All of our other gear is brought with us, paddles, packs, tents, kitchen, etc....

We just find the driving easier not having to haul our boats.

Shreveport Louisiana to Gunflint, 20 hrs of driving for me in total. Here is what I did. First year was totally outfitted. After that I started to buy everything I needed to outfit myself over the next 5 years except for the canoe. For me it is just easier to rent a canoe each year and not have to deal with transporting it. First trip in 1999 on a whim and have only missed four years since then.

I guess I should start by saying, I hate to fly! That said, I have driven all my trips to the Bw.
I still have some family in Wisconsin so I will visit them while back there.
While waiting for my wife, here at home, at a book store I picked up a magazine, The BW Journal, read the first story and new I had to go there. I have camped and backpacked all my life, so I new I would like canoe camping. Before my first trip I bought a canoe and some gear I didn't already have. That summer I loaded the truck, camper, canoe and gear
and headed east. It takes me about 4 or 5 days of driving to get to Wis. Right at 2500 miles. Then up to the BW. I usually stay for a week. Then head for home. I am usually gone for a month. By the time I get home I'm right around 6000 miles. I was very lucky to have a job and the time in grade to be able to take that much time off. I also use my canoe here at home on the local lakes. Be patient and the right canoe will come along. Good luck!

mjmkjun: "
Been doing this trek since 2008 and had to skip BWCA trip on two years.
My name is Mike. I am addicted. ;-)

Buy a used canoe in great shape and save yourself some $$ for the yearly treks. I got a darn good deal on a used UL Prism in 2008. You just have to allocate funds, be patient and bide your time looking at listings. A bargain is bound to come your way."

My name is also Mike, and I'm theoretically addicted, but not for real until I prove it!

I'm going to look at our local listings to see what is available in my area. I would be shocked if there was much but I'm hoping to be surprised. I don't know if I could buy one without seeing it first. Of course when I go in September that may be at the end of the season for outfitters in and around Ely, so I may have a large selection.

QueticoMike: "976.54 miles to get to Ely :) Bought my canoe back in 1994 from Piragis Northwoods. That canoe has probably been on about 80 trips to Quetico and the BW. Plus I lived up there in '07 and fished the BW every day from May to October. The canoe has paid for itself many times over. I did an interview with Canoe and Kayak Magazine a few years ago about my canoe, I will add a link below.....


C&K interview "

Thanks for the link, I'll read that in just a bit. A local place I like to deal with is a Northstar dealer, Mr. Bell's 'new' company. I was in there drooling all over them the other day. Good thing they are water proof.

andym: "Ours first trip started from Batavia, IL. Our friends there used the following strategy. Finish packing on Friday evening, leave house in time to stop at Dunkin Donuts when it opens on Saturday, drive to Ely in time to pick up permit with a stop in Wisconsin to buy cheese, enter first thing Sunday morning, exit Saturday midday, shower in Ely, drive until tired, grab a motel room, finish drive on Sunday. They are a bit closer than you but that was how they maximized the length of the trip with only 5 days off.

BTW, the end of a fall trip is a good time to buy a used canoe from outfitters. You might even be able to arrange that beforehand. "

Though my trip is about 4 hrs longer, that's about my schedule. If I can get my local backpacking buddy to go with me each year the drive there will be bearable. My main hesitation is the drive THERE on a solo trip. Of course if the place is awesome enough I'll MAKE the time.

And yes, I think an early September trip may be a decent time to negotiate a deal on a boat. I already know what I THINK I want, and hopefully they are part of a rental fleet.

I drive about 1200 miles one way. I prefer driving to flying for all the reasons andym mentioned along with a couple of others, but I'm no longer limited to 1 week between 2 weekends. I've gone every year since 2006. I rent a canoe, but have all other gear. If I had someplace to store a canoe I'd consider buying one and using around here.

blutofish1: " Taking our time, stopping to eat about 15 hours. Not in a hurry."

Sounds like more that one person. I'm hoping to get a consistent canoe buddy.

moosedoggie: "1100 or 1200 miles to Ely, depending on which of us you ask.

We usually take two travel days though we have done it straight through. We get to Ely around lunch of the second day, hit Zup's for stocking up on food and spend the night at the outfitters. Leave early the next morning.

We all have canoes but we leave them at home and rent our boats. All of our other gear is brought with us, paddles, packs, tents, kitchen, etc....

We just find the driving easier not having to haul our boats.
"

Good thought on not having to haul the boat. I'd have to give that thought. Would be good to rent a fresh boat each time.

boonie: "I drive about 1200 miles one way. I prefer driving to flying for all the reasons andym mentioned along with a couple of others, but I'm no longer limited to 1 week between 2 weekends. I've gone every year since 2006. I rent a canoe, but have all other gear. If I had someplace to store a canoe I'd consider buying one and using around here."

I live in a small plat and hang my kayaks on the ceiling of my garage. I'm having a "shed" built but putting an overhang on the back so I can store kayaks and canoe (potentially) on the back. I'll cover them anyway but a overhang will help.

1,000 miles on the button my house to Seagull Outfitters on the Gunflint from the Cleveland area.

We flew the first time, that ended up being a pain. No direct flights to Duluth, pain in the rear to check our rods and other minimal gear we had then, had to connect through O'Hare, fly to Duluth, rent a car, then still had a 3 hour drive.

Now we own our own gear, (still rent a just a canoe), commit the extra time and drive. We knock out 80% of our drive and get to Duluth the first day, ensuring a leisurely drive of just a couple of hours the next day, then stay at the bunkhouse and get on the water first thing next morning.

Seems like way less stress for us, we just try to enjoy the ride as much as possible.

Around 500 miles from the far NW suburbs of Chicago (home of the worst place kicker in the NFL). Gunflint adds around 50 miles maybe. Lovely drive. Put on some Bruce Hornsby or the Grateful Dead on the CD player, and I am good after the Rush Limbaugh show ends at 2 pm.

Tomster

QueticoMike: "976.54 miles to get to Ely :) Bought my canoe back in 1994 from Piragis Northwoods. That canoe has probably been on about 80 trips to Quetico and the BW. Plus I lived up there in '07 and fished the BW every day from May to October. The canoe has paid for itself many times over. I did an interview with Canoe and Kayak Magazine a few years ago about my canoe, I will add a link below.....

C&K interview "

Are you an OU Bobcat? My daughter is going there now. Piqua Indian?

johndku: "1,000 miles on the button my house to Seagull Outfitters on the Gunflint from the Cleveland area.


We flew the first time, that ended up being a pain. No direct flights to Duluth, pain in the rear to check our rods and other minimal gear we had then, had to connect through O'Hare, fly to Duluth, rent a car, then still had a 3 hour drive.


Now we own our own gear, (still rent a just a canoe), commit the extra time and drive. We knock out 80% of our drive and get to Duluth the first day, ensuring a leisurely drive of just a couple of hours the next day, then stay at the bunkhouse and get on the water first thing next morning.


Seems like way less stress for us, we just try to enjoy the ride as much as possible. "

Luckily I have a fair amount of gear as my backpack trips gets me a bunch of it. I had considered flying but I also think it would be a pain, as you identified. I'm hoping my friend goes all the time so all of this is a non-event for me.

tobywan: " Shreveport Louisiana to Gunflint, 20 hrs of driving for me in total. Here is what I did. First year was totally outfitted. After that I started to buy everything I needed to outfit myself over the next 5 years except for the canoe. For me it is just easier to rent a canoe each year and not have to deal with transporting it. First trip in 1999 on a whim and have only missed four years since then."

I've been slowly buying things myself, but for backpacking. My daughter went to college this year so I'm an empty-nester and can take a whole week just for what I want to do. As it turns out, it's BWCA/Q!

quark2222: "Around 500 miles from the far NW suburbs of Chicago (home of the worst place kicker in the NFL). Gunflint adds around 50 miles maybe. Lovely drive. Put on some Bruce Hornsby or the Grateful Dead on the CD player, and I am good after the Rush Limbaugh show ends at 2 pm.

Tomster"

I watched that game, I felt bad for that guy. I didn't have an NFC team for a long time until my backpack buddy invited me to his home state to go to a ..... Packer's game. Sorry. Well not this year I suppose.

Music would be my constant companion on a drive and I may have to bust out some singing to make it.

QueticoMike: "976.54 miles to get to Ely :) Bought my canoe back in 1994 from Piragis Northwoods. That canoe has probably been on about 80 trips to Quetico and the BW. Plus I lived up there in '07 and fished the BW every day from May to October. The canoe has paid for itself many times over. I did an interview with Canoe and Kayak Magazine a few years ago about my canoe, I will add a link below.....

C&K interview "

@QueticoMike I've wondered if the type of canoe you have can be taken on the Great Miami, or the Little Miami, without smashing them to bits.

I live about 10-12 hours away depending on the entry point and where we stop for the first night.

Don't think that the first thing you need to add to become self-sufficient is the canoe. For the first 2-3 years we were fully outfitted. Everything - all equipment and food. My first step toward self-sufficiency was not a canoe. It was food and food preparation equipment and pack for food. Then I started adding tents and sleeping equipment with packs. My last addition was the canoe and equipment. Then we changed our larger travel vehicle and I needed a trailer to carry the canoe and equipment. Now I am mostly self-sufficient. If I have more than 3 people I will need to rent a canoe. Depending on the number of people, I may also need to rent an canoe pack or a sleeping pad and bag.

Just saying that you may find that you can reduce cost of rental enough through doing your own food and having enough of the other equipment. The canoe rental then becomes your largest expense, but it is manageable. You can then choose whether or not you feel the cost of purchase, storage and transport of a canoe is the route you need to take.

Michwall2:
Just saying that you may find that you can reduce cost of rental enough through doing your own food and having enough of the other equipment. The canoe rental then becomes your largest expense, but it is manageable. You can then choose whether or not you feel the cost of purchase, storage and transport of a canoe is the route you need to take."

I have everything except for a few base camp like items such as a fryer pan and other such things. Otherwise I am finding tremendous similarities between the backpack camping I do and canoe camping. Obviously I'll be going longer and will need more food.

However .... solid advice, and I appreciate it. I'm hearing more that one person who rented a few times to get a feel for what's what and then go from there.

We are 6-8 hours away. We have all our own gear and drive up the night before we enter.

About 7 hours to Ely. About 7-1/2 hours to Grand Marais, then the added distance up the Gunflint. About 11 hours to Atikokan.

I mostly live in the Minneapolis suburbs but have a cabin north about 4 hours. One of my kids has a house in Ely. Best investment! Lots of houses for sale in "downtown" Ely at good deals. Buy a house, store the gear and rent it out as a bunk house to other travelers?

I've lived between 950-1000 miles from Grand Marais all but the two years I lived in Schofield, WI. Back in my "Prime" I drove it 2-3 times a year most years. I never missed a year for 21 years until health problems in 2004.

Gosh, I wouldn't change owning and customizing my own canoes and equipment. That's in MY humble opinion.

About 6.5miles to the Mudro ep.

Spent a lot of time making the drive from Minneapolis for the first couple of years after college and opted to move to the area. Great place to live, somewhat difficult place to make a living. Mighty fine if you prefer spending time outdoors over spending.

4keys: "We are 6-8 hours away. We have all our own gear and drive up the night before we enter. "

Eight hours is my over/under, usually. Anything over that and I start to struggle. I'm not one of those guys who can drive all night. That's when I'm alone.

WonderMonkey: "

4keys: "We are 6-8 hours away. We have all our own gear and drive up the night before we enter. "

Eight hours is my over/under, usually. Anything over that and I start to struggle. I'm not one of those guys who can drive all night. That's when I'm alone."

I’m not much for driving either... haha. To the BW I’m 100 miles to piragis. With the availability of picking up permits at outfitters I can leave home at five and be well up the trail and on the water by eight or nine. Unless I stop at brittons for breakfast... that sets me back. Haha! No matter where I lived I would have found a way to get in canoe trips in the BW and Woodland Caribou.

500 miles from Kewaunee Wi. All good 4 lane roads now so we just cruise along. We can make Amnicon Falls for lunch and stretch our legs so we can make good time....

dr bob

240 miles (~4hrs) to nearest EP from primary residence, or 50 miles (~1hr) to same EP from cabin. Owning and storing a lightweight canoe is no longer a priority for me, so I need to rent. I have everything else, including paddles.

QueticoMike: "976.54 miles to get to Ely :) Bought my canoe back in 1994 from Piragis Northwoods. That canoe has probably been on about 80 trips to Quetico and the BW. Plus I lived up there in '07 and fished the BW every day from May to October. The canoe has paid for itself many times over. I did an interview with Canoe and Kayak Magazine a few years ago about my canoe, I will add a link below.....


C&K interview "

Mike - I always thought you were a Minnesota boy, I didn't realize you were from Ohio. I loved the article from Miss Molly that you dropped the link to. I think I might have just discovered a serious roadblock for our friendship though.....I am a die hard Michigan fan. LOL At least we share a love of water, fish and quiet beautiful spaces outdoors.

1250 miles one way to Ely for me and I take my own canoe. I enjoy the time on the road away from work, although XM radio has made it much nicer. My only concern is getting my canoe stolen in a motel parking lot if I happen to stay overnight somewhere. I try to park near the hotel lobby under lights or just outside my window.

I am only 300 miles away. I own both kayak and canoe which I haul up with me. If I was 8 or more hours away I would probably still drive but rent a boat when I got there.

All of these comments are making me more thankful I live less than 500 miles away!

5,862 Miles!

BlueSkiesWI: "All of these comments are making me more thankful I live less than 500 miles away!
"

Was thinking the same thing although I'm less than 200. Didn't realize how many people are coming from such a distance. I still feel I live too far away, the dream is to someday live in that area.

Reading this thread, I'm feeling incredibly fortunate to be just about 4 hours drive to either Ely or Grand Marais, if I don't stop to screw around somewhere that is - which I usually do.

From Pisgah Forest, NC, to Ely, MN, is 1250-1300 miles, depending on how badly I want to avoid the Chicago area. We break the drive into two days, usually stopping in Wisconsin on the way up and either Illinois or Indiana on the way home. We've driven every visit (my first was in 1978). My first visit was mostly outfitted--I brought fishing gear and sleeping bag, but other gear-canoe, tent, stove, food etc-was picked up in Ely. Subsequent trips have been a mix of our own gear and rental gear. As boat weights dropped (~75# aluminum canoe my first couple visits), renting allowed us to test-paddle some interesting boats before buying. We rented an Old Town Columbia from Canadian Waters in '87, then bought one for our '88 visit. At the time, the Columbia's 60# weight was considered light, and we transported that boat to Ely for several trips.

When 18' canoes hit the 42# range, we started renting again, and played with a couple Wenonahs and a couple Northstars before buying a lightly-used Northstar Northwind 17 after our 2017 year's Quetico trip.

Love the boat, and use it locally--we're doing three nights in Okefenokee Swamp next month, and do day trips on local lakes. Renting lets you play with lots of different gear, while owning saves you some money after you find gear you like. And driving gives you all the packing and personal gear advantages others have already listed. I hope your first visit is as wonderful as mine was--we've been visiting for 40 years now, and hope we have many more visits in our future.

Jaywalker: "Reading this thread, I'm feeling incredibly fortunate to be just about 4 hours drive to either Ely or Grand Marais, if I don't stop to screw around somewhere that is - which I usually do. "

If I stop to screw around somewhere, Jaywalker, it's on the 3rd day! :)

For those who own a canoe, but rent instead of bring it, I'm curious about your reasons . . . ?

4 hrs to most any entry point.

I own all my own gear never rented a single item.

I own 7 canoes.

Need to buy a new tent my 20 year old one is starting to have problems.

Any thing under a thousand miles I would drive if spending a longer then a week I mostly drive from any place in the lower 48.

Flying has become such a hassle.

I really envy those of you who live close to the BW. I live in SoCal about 2000 miles away from there! My trip partner and I have all of our gear except canoes and rent one from an outfitter on our trips. It can get challenging to fly with all gear but it’s worth the trouble and expense to me. I’m doing 2 trips this year plan on flying for 1 and going to try driving for the other,it might be my first solo. I’m just afraid I’ll bring To much gear when I don’t have to fly! Lol

boonie: "For those who own a canoe, but rent instead of bring it, I'm curious about your reasons . . . ?"

When we could drop our combined portage weight by ~20#, we started renting until we found a lighter canoe we liked. We single-walk portages, so moving from a 60# Old Town Columbia to a 41# Northwind 17 allowed each of us to shed almost 10 pounds of portage weight... The Northwind will be on our Outback for our 2018 (August-September?) Quetico trip. And we lost another pound with a titanium cook set. (Do I sound like a weight-weenie??!!)

WonderMonkey: "

4keys: "We are 6-8 hours away. We have all our own gear and drive up the night before we enter. "

Eight hours is my over/under, usually. Anything over that and I start to struggle. I'm not one of those guys who can drive all night. That's when I'm alone."

Me too. I tried pushing it one time with 14 hrs of driving and ended up with an awful backache that lasted well into next day. That was my last attempt at earlier-than-expected arrival. For the long hours on the road driving solo, those audiobooks are a godsend. That and 5 hrs energy drinks for a pick-up. Those little bottles can be repurposed for shampoo, fuel, honey, baking soda, and other stuff. Never had one leak yet.

AmarilloJim: "1250 miles one way to Ely for me and I take my own canoe. I enjoy the time on the road away from work, although XM radio has made it much nicer. My only concern is getting my canoe stolen in a motel parking lot if I happen to stay overnight somewhere. I try to park near the hotel lobby under lights or just outside my window."

When I go on trips with my bicycle I bring it indoors. Easier to do with a motel.

970 miles 1 way from my home in New Albany to END of Gunflint. Google says 15.5 hrs. We have NEVER made it that fast, usually more like 16 or 17, but mostly 16 or so, depending on WHEN we leave.

901 miles to Ely. Google says 14 hrs, but again. we've NEVER made 14 hrs. More like 15 or 15.5.

First 4-5 years we rented canoes, but brought everything else. Most now have their own kevlar canoes, and we bring our own camping stuff. Usually groups of 4 or 6, but have had as many as 8 or 12, with multiple campsites.

If we have big groups, we try to take the same route, but don't generally stay together on the drive up. It was way too hard to caravan and you end up spending way too much extra time during pit stops, adding at least an hr to the total trip.

If we only have 4 folks going, and we can get away without a trailer, then we go without the trailer and rent canoes..but not always.

Trips where we've used air services like our fly into clay and paddle out, we rented canoes mostly, but a couple guys brought their own.

We have picked guys up in Duluth.....In fact my buddy from Connecticut usually flies into Duluth and we pick him up there. If we have only 4 going, he usually flies into Lou and helps drive. He almost always has a lot more expenses, as he ships a lot of stuff to me, has the flight into Duluth and usually rents a hotel for the night. It just depends on what time we plan on getting there.

I live at the other end of interstate 35 and prefer to drive up and rent a boat. If I had a kevlar boat, I would not hesitate throw it on top of the Subaru and skip renting.

WonderMonkey: "

blutofish1: " Taking our time, stopping to eat about 15 hours. Not in a hurry."

Sounds like more that one person. I'm hoping to get a consistent canoe buddy."

My buddy is my wife

600 miles, which takes me 9-9-1/2 hrs to get up there, and strangely more like 11 hours to get home! :) I do enjoy the drive through Wisconsin.

If not for rental cars being expensive out of DLH (seems quite a bit higher than other airports) and the fact that there's a lot of equipment involved and no other real Duluth to Ely transportation, I'd sneak in an extra short trip now & then by flying Chicago to Duluth, which I could do cheaply. So I just drive.

As for driving "strategy", I traditionally like to 1) get as much sleep as I can the night before. Easier said than done, maybe sleep from 9pm to anywhere between 1-3am. 2) start the drive very early.
The anticipation of the trip makes it relatively easy to get up. Snacks and a thermos of coffee are loaded up. I start in the dark. About the time I start getting a bit drowsy, the sun starts to come up. That, plus the coffee, give me a boost.
A few hours later, I'm getting tired again and I stop for gas, breakfast, more coffee and it gives me another boost. Cheese shop stop, gas, approaching north woods, seeing Lake Superior in the distance, entering Minnesota,...all these little things are nice for keeping me going and awake. I roll into Ely in mid-afternoon and have time to get license etc, organize stuff some more, get food and maybe run into a friend or two. Get a full night's sleep before starting the canoe trip in the morning, that catches me up from less sleep the night before.

WonderMonkey: "

QueticoMike: "976.54 miles to get to Ely :) Bought my canoe back in 1994 from Piragis Northwoods. That canoe has probably been on about 80 trips to Quetico and the BW. Plus I lived up there in '07 and fished the BW every day from May to October. The canoe has paid for itself many times over. I did an interview with Canoe and Kayak Magazine a few years ago about my canoe, I will add a link below.....


C&K interview "

Are you an OU Bobcat? My daughter is going there now. Piqua Indian?"

Yes, I graduated from OU. Not a Piqua Indian. I'm a Sidney Lehman Cavalier. No catholic high schools in Piqua.

WonderMonkey: "

QueticoMike: "976.54 miles to get to Ely :) Bought my canoe back in 1994 from Piragis Northwoods. That canoe has probably been on about 80 trips to Quetico and the BW. Plus I lived up there in '07 and fished the BW every day from May to October. The canoe has paid for itself many times over. I did an interview with Canoe and Kayak Magazine a few years ago about my canoe, I will add a link below.....


C&K interview "

@QueticoMike I've wondered if the type of canoe you have can be taken on the Great Miami, or the Little Miami, without smashing them to bits."

I gashed up my Kevlar canoe pretty good last year on the GMR. So it is not advisable. Get a cheap aluminum canoe that can take a beating. I got a used one from Barefoot Canoe in 96 and still have it. It is a 1976 Grumann

Selfsuffi: "

QueticoMike: "976.54 miles to get to Ely :) Bought my canoe back in 1994 from Piragis Northwoods. That canoe has probably been on about 80 trips to Quetico and the BW. Plus I lived up there in '07 and fished the BW every day from May to October. The canoe has paid for itself many times over. I did an interview with Canoe and Kayak Magazine a few years ago about my canoe, I will add a link below.....



C&K interview "

Mike - I always thought you were a Minnesota boy, I didn't realize you were from Ohio. I loved the article from Miss Molly that you dropped the link to. I think I might have just discovered a serious roadblock for our friendship though.....I am a die hard Michigan fan. LOL At least we share a love of water, fish and quiet beautiful spaces outdoors.
"

I lived in Ely at one point if that helps you out, LOL.

550 miles to Ely
I usually figure on 10 hours

Except for when my psycho nephew drove, and we made 2 tavern stops, 2 gas/food stops, 1 beer carry out in Two Harbors, and made it in ....7:52 !
* He was sober.

blutofish1: "

WonderMonkey: "

blutofish1: " Taking our time, stopping to eat about 15 hours. Not in a hurry."

Sounds like more that one person. I'm hoping to get a consistent canoe buddy."

My buddy is my wife "

Excellent! My wife says "Nah, go have fun."

Currently about 5 and a half hours away now that I live in the Twin Cities, but was probably 30 hours away driving when living in Seattle. My strategy was to store my canoe gear at my grandparents' house in the cities and rent a canoe and bear barrel from Seagull Outfitters. This has worked out well.

1870 miles from Tucson to Ely, I fly, rent or borrow canoes. Take my own gear on the plane. So far it works out well. Every so often I score a free loaner car from someone and I am thrilled! This fall is looking like the loaner car is a go. Now for the canoe.... ( gbusk...you reading this? lol )

1,180 miles from Allen, TX to downtown Grand Marais, or about 19 hours. I usually fly but I drove this past year. I have all my own gear (and enough for 5-6 other people). I have always rented a canoe but I purchased one about a month ago. It's in MN and I'm not sure if I will leave it there or bring it to Texas this summer. I have a lot of family in MN so storage isn't an issue except none of them are near the BWCA. I used to live in Duluth so maybe it's time to look up some old friends. I'm not excited about transporting it 2,400 miles every year.

I'm 230 miles from Ely but am working on a move to Grand Marais. Have all my own gear but have a wife that also likes going on trips so buying everything was an easy sell.

320 miles to Ely for me. We usually make it in about 6 hours but we strap the canoe on and drive through the night so traffic is never an issue.

6.5 hours to ely, a bit longer to grand marais, i don't figure the gunflint time as i am on vacation and it's a beautiful drive.
my drive's up do not even compare to the high stress, go, go, go, mindset we had when i was younger, got to get there fast, etc., etc., etc.
enjoy the journey.

tpothen: "I'm 230 miles from Ely but am working on a move to Grand Marais. Have all my own gear but have a wife that also likes going on trips so buying everything was an easy sell."

You are living up to your signature line's bit-of-wisdom. Good luck and I'm a bit envious.
I have often wondered what Grand Marais is like outside the busy tourist season.

198 miles

boonie: "For those who own a canoe, but rent instead of bring it, I'm curious about your reasons . . . ?"

I own a heavy Old Town tripping canoe and an Old Town Pack royalex. I have taken the heavy Old Town on trips with minimal portages, but I usually just rent. Have strongly considered buying a Kevlar, but the trips have been with two or three people and the flexibility to rent what fits the trip has been great. It’s also nice to avoid driving with a canoe even though we are “only” 250 miles to Ely. My kids are 4 & 6, so that has also kept me from buying as the needs will change over the next handful of years as they start to paddle for real. I also like contributing the rental to the outfitters since I have everything else. I usually get one trip per year of 5-6 days on the water, so it would be 4-5 years to pay back a used Kevlar (when factoring depreciation, resale, etc).

It’s also convenient to never need to do Kevlar canoe maintenance...for now.

26 hours.
And I have to pass some supreme Northern Ontario paddling before getting to Q. I live a couple of hours from the Allagash..

Two hours for me from Duluth, I feel very fortunate to be that close after reading some of these posts.

5,000 miles from Isreal, that is unreal.

248 miles from my house to Sawbill...tracked it on the odometer. 4-5 hours depending on the ever-present road work with a pit stop and not driving like a crazy man.

boonie: "For those who own a canoe, but rent instead of bring it, I'm curious about your reasons . . . ?"

C
I rent because my canoe weighs about 90 lbs. The square stern is great for a small outboard motor but I have no desire to portage that heavy beast.

Four and a half hours. Less if I get up early and hit the road before dawn :)

When I was young and didn't have money we brought our own aluminum barges along that maybe some of us had in our backyards. We rigged them up on racks we built that attached to the rain gutters. Later in my 20s I owned some canoes, still heavy, that I brought along. Now older and have some money, I have divested my canoe fleet and just rent when I go. I probably wouldn't canoe much anymore locally so I don't see the point of having a canoe in my garage. I am not able to go every year anyway. 760 miles to Ely for me from Southwestern Illinois. If I was younger I probably would get a kevlar tripping canoe and take it every year.

We first drove up in 1978 from South Georgia to the Quetico near Atikokan. Drove up again several times as the boys were growing up. Have not missed a year since 1991. It is approximately 1700 miles. When we retired we purchased a rustic cabin near French Lake entrance to the Quetico. We flew up for the first time last year. Driving up it is approximately a 27 hour drive. Flying up caused us to miss our annual canoe trip into the Quetico. Did not have our packs, sleeping bags and other camping equipment. Don't know about next year. May fly.

AtwaterGA: "We first drove up in 1978 from South Georgia to the Quetico near Atikokan. Drove up again several times as the boys were growing up. Have not missed a year since 1991. It is approximately 1700 miles. When we retired we purchased a rustic cabin near French Lake entrance to the Quetico. We flew up for the first time last year. Driving up it is approximately a 27 hour drive. Flying up caused us to miss our annual canoe trip into the Quetico. Did not have our packs, sleeping bags and other camping equipment. Don't know about next year. May fly.
"

- And I've been enjoying your posts for probably,.... 15 years!
Cabin - how cool! Where do you fly into? Thunder Bay?

for me its 9-10 hrs...I live maybe 4-5 miles west of HowardSprague

Gran Marias is 7 hrs. & 43 min. (486.3 Mi.)
Ely is 7 hrs. & 14 min. (467.5 Mi.)
I usually take off after work & drive all night.
I own almost all my own equipment but usually get a tow to get a early start and get as far in the bdub as possible.
Looking to upgrade my depth finder & purchase a used bear barrel with a harness.

LindenTree: "Two hours for me from Duluth, I feel very fortunate to be that close after reading some of these posts.


5,000 miles from Isreal, that is unreal."

You earned that privilege Linden!

About 13/14 hours. Figure the expense of a canoe whether new or used. Divide by the number of trips you expect to make over the next several years. The per use cost could be less than renting over the years by a lot. The fact you are considering a canoe implies you have a storage plan possible.

I think it depends how much you canoe away from the Bwca Q I rent a canoe even though I’m only about 5 hours away because I use a boat and rarely canoe outside the Bwca .

A little over 1/2 mile!! :)

I suck it up and drive. No regrets, there. About 1050 miles one way. Tripping since 2012?. Only missed one year, and made two trips a couple years.

Only thing we "have to" buy on arrival is bait and permit, but some northwoods gear is hard to find in TN...so we shop a little. The point here is, we haul our own canoes. One or two, atop our Suburban. No problems, ever. (Knock on wood). Just check your tie-downs/straps while gas is pumping.

We usually spend a night somewhere between Superior, WI and Ely/Grand Marais, so we get an early start on morning of EP date. Outfitter bunks can be a great option. Depending on the trip itenerary, I wouldn't feel responsible driving straight through then putting in on the water, unless you have at least four drivers to share the drive. You want to enjoy it, not be wiped out before you start. Remember, pets or small kids are almost a bigger job than driving, so account for that in driver energy levels.

Renting vs buying...We bought a good condition used kevlar 4 seater from an outfitter. It paid for itself within the next 3 to 4 years, by not having to rent. If you take a friend, they will sometimes chip in extra gas to ride in your canoe, since they don't have to rent. Win-win.

Whatever you do, just be deliberate. One or two trips a year, means precious time on the water. Know what you want each trip, and plan and research in the off season so you aren't disappointed.

Miles 757 one way.
Like to stop in Duluth over night, take time getting to outfitter next day.
To much outdoor beauty to fly by, never disappointed.

bwcadan: "About 13/14 hours. Figure the expense of a canoe whether new or used. Divide by the number of trips you expect to make over the next several years. The per use cost could be less than renting over the years by a lot. The fact you are considering a canoe implies you have a storage plan possible."

I do have a storage plan and I'm also looking for opportunities to use it when I'm not in BW or the Q. I do feel that needs change year to year then rental is an option but that would be me reacting to OTHERS needs and bearing the cost. I don't mind that to a point, but I'd rather be a bit more locked in.

Basspro69: "I think it depends how much you canoe away from the Bwca Q I rent a canoe even though I’m only about 5 hours away because I use a boat and rarely canoe outside the Bwca ."

That's one thing I'm looking at.

mrballast: "
Whatever you do, just be deliberate. One or two trips a year, means precious time on the water. Know what you want each trip, and plan and research in the off season so you aren't disappointed."

Thanks for all that. I'm most certainly deliberate, to the point of irritating my fellow trip-goers. I'm that way until it decided what we do then I continue on my own. Once we arrive it's relaxing time because I know I've put in the work.

The Great Outdoors: "A little over 1/2 mile!! :)"

Smart aleck. I'm jealous.

From where we meet to leave it is right at 1000 mi to Ely. We take two days to drive it; and often a day in Ely to hang out and shed the road rash. It is mostly only once a year and it is vacation. We like Ely. Sometimes we detour a hair.Years ago we would driven straight through , rent a canoe and permit and entered. Those days are gone at our age; for the most part.

It's 9-10 hrs for me from outside Chicago. I drive it. As others have mentioned it's not easy to figure out travel from Duluth to Ely or Grand Marais and still make it cost effective. With the exception of my most recent trip I have rented a canoe each time.

4 1/2 hours to my favorite entry point near Ely. I don’t get up as much as I used to but I plan on going a few times this winter yet.

AmarilloJim: "

The Great Outdoors: "A little over 1/2 mile!! :)"

Smart aleck. I'm jealous. "

:)

Right at 1000 miles from home. After renting for a couple years,
we knew it would make sense to buy our own. Just strap it on the
rack and go. It will pay for itself.

250 miles.

Just under 1000mi. :(

A little over an hour from the west end.

I am very grateful to only live 312 miles to Ely from my house. One day I would love to have a place closer.

:-)

If it were possible to earn enough of a living to live in the area and have enough free time to actually enjoy living in the area, I wouldn't have to think long about moving there. From what I understand, however, earning enough to live in the area generally means working so much as to surrender you warm season completely to your job which would defeat the purpose for me.

5,530 miles. As the crow flies.
I bring only clothes and fishing gear. The outfitter does a great job regarding meals , permits, canoe and camping gear renting.

pescador: "5,530 miles. As the crow flies. "

Wow, I feel like such a wimp with my measly 2,100 miles :)