Taking my first trip to WCPP in a few weeks. Will be in the park from 7/29 through 8/5. Using Harlan and flying into Bulging and coming out at Johnson. Would like some input about part of the route. Going from Bulging to Adventure to Haven. After that uncertain whether to go up through Cyclops, Rostoul and Hansen before hitting Glenn or down through Jigsaw, Wrist, Amber, Nutria and Mexican Hat before swinging up to Glenn and then heading out through Optic, Telescope, Embryo and Hatchet.

We are probably more interested in scenery and not seeing other paddlers than any particular species of fish.

We would appreciate any insight or comments about the two route variations. Thanks.

Since scenery and solitude are your goals I think you should contact the park and get the PDF map that shows fire areas for the last years. With the time constraints my first thought is flying into Indian House and explore in numerous directions before heading for Hatchet and the Johnson exit. Indian House is a beautiful lake with many moods depending on the weather. The wide meandering stream that will be your exit is great for wildlife and evening or morning paddles.

kenpark23: "Taking my first trip to WCPP in a few weeks. Will be in the park from 7/29 through 8/5. Using Harlan and flying into Bulging and coming out at Johnson. Would like some input about part of the route. Going from Bulging to Adventure to Haven. After that uncertain whether to go up through Cyclops, Rostoul and Hansen before hitting Glenn or down through Jigsaw, Wrist, Amber, Nutria and Mexican Hat before swinging up to Glenn and then heading out through Optic, Telescope, Embryo and Hatchet.

We are probably more interested in scenery and not seeing other paddlers than any particular species of fish.

We would appreciate any insight or comments about the two route variations. Thanks. "

Have looked at part of this... And my recollection is that the TRs indicate the Cyclops portages are pretty wet and a slog.

But I've not personally laid eyes on them, so perhaps others will be able to address this...

You will have fun, either way.

Cheers!

We did a trip through part of your proposed route about six years ago, although we had more time. We base camped on Haven and did side trip to Jigsaw. We then paddled to Glenn and based there with a side trip down into Mexican Hat then to Telescope, Onnie and out to Johnson.

The burn areas all differ depending when they burned. When we went into Jigsaw it had burned a few years prior and the jack pine were only a foot or two high. BUT this presented some great viewing opportunities if one has the urge to climb a hill or two. I guess what I'm saying is that everything has its own level of beauty depending on what one perceives as such.

The "seasonally shallow" section from Cyclops to Rostoul was seasonally shallow (Aug) and was a real character builder. Other than that it's pretty straight forward and easy portages. I found that some of the portages (Haven to Cyclops, Gulch to Jigsaw) were really pretty. Also enjoyed the falls at Mexican Hat and subsequent walk up up the trail.
You will probably experience some motor boat traffic on Glenn and to the east.

All that being said I agree with Marten, although I've not been to Indian House and down that route. However, I've paddled parts of the park that Marten has suggested and he is always spot on in his assessments. I started visiting the park the exact same way as you are and have returned almost yearly since. I'm trying to visit a different part of the park each year. This year it's three weeks in the n/e part of the park.

Why different each time? Here goes......

"It is part of wisdom never to revisit a wilderness, for the more golden the lily, the more certain that someone has gilded it. To return not only spoils a trip, but tarnishes a memory. It is only in the mind that shining adventure remains forever bright."
Aldo Leopold in "A Sand County Almanac".

I think you'll enjoy it no matter what route you take. You are free to wander.

Safe travels.......Mike

There's some pretty good fishing in Glenn if you're interested and a more than suitable campsite. Good place to base for a day or two as the Hat is next door. Rostoul was pretty but you had a couple of fun portages (short mostly but lots of blowdown) to get through to get there. A good route all in all though.

I've been through both routes either this June or the last. The Seasonally Shallow spot from Cyclops to Rostoul is rocky and very shallow. There are a couple portages on that stretch...but when I was there a year ago it would have been easier on the canoes to just portage the whole thing.

The Seasonably shallow spot from Nutria to Mexican hat is mud and bog, with numerous beaver dam pullovers, and a very shallow channel to float a canoe in.

You will see more people on Mexican Hat than anywhere else, I expect.

Wrist and Jigsaw burned HARD a few years ago.
There is pretty much only 1 campsite on Wrist and if it has been raining, the tent pads are like setting up on a wet sponge. Going from Wrist to Adventure in one day is tough.
All that said, I think you would prefer the Haven/Rostoul/Hansen/Glenn Lake route. You have some falls and rapids on that route and some great walleye fishing.
Joe