|
Boundary Waters Quetico ForumQuetico ForumBroken canoes in the Falls Chain
|
Forum Sponsor
Author
Text
01/05/2020 06:18PM
In another recent discussion in our Quetico Forum, there was a brief discussion about canoes below falls near Kenny Lake.
About 15-20 years ago, my crew pulled half a canoe up from the shore at the point campsite on Kenny Lake below Canyon Falls. Don't know where the other half went. We used it a a serving table by the fire.
About 10-15 years ago we viewed a canoe trapped just below Kennybas Falls.
Canyon Falls is dangerous, but it is hard to miss the portage landings.
Kennybas Falls has a dangerous approach from upstream if you do not hang to the SW shore while approaching. With the steep rocky shore approach, there is no way to change this.
My question is: is there anyone in our forum that can provide information about what happened to smash these canoes? Was anyone seriously hurt? This is a bad location for a serious injury, as it is deep in the heart of the Quetico.
Picture is bottom of Canyon Falls, fortunately without smashed canoe.
About 15-20 years ago, my crew pulled half a canoe up from the shore at the point campsite on Kenny Lake below Canyon Falls. Don't know where the other half went. We used it a a serving table by the fire.
About 10-15 years ago we viewed a canoe trapped just below Kennybas Falls.
Canyon Falls is dangerous, but it is hard to miss the portage landings.
Kennybas Falls has a dangerous approach from upstream if you do not hang to the SW shore while approaching. With the steep rocky shore approach, there is no way to change this.
My question is: is there anyone in our forum that can provide information about what happened to smash these canoes? Was anyone seriously hurt? This is a bad location for a serious injury, as it is deep in the heart of the Quetico.
Picture is bottom of Canyon Falls, fortunately without smashed canoe.
01/09/2020 03:14AM
Over the past several years I've taken photos of Kennebas Falls and the canoes that have been stuck at the top of the falls. This photo is from September 10, 2013
June 6, 2014 I paddled through the Falls Chain and there was no canoe at the top of Kennebas Falls.
Downstream of Kennebas Falls I encountered half of a canoe wedged up against the shore and it was a Seagull Outfitters canoe.
May 29, 2017 another canoe was wedged at the top of Kennebas Falls.
Around Christmas 2017 I emailed Deb Mark of Seagull Outfitters and asked about the canoes. She told me that 2 of her Kevlar Bell (Northstar) canoes had been lost to Kennebas Falls within a few years of each other. Both times were parties of 4, 2 canoes, and after unloading the canoes at the top of Kennebas Falls one got away from them and became entrapped at the top of the falls. Fortunately there were no injuries, except to the canoes. And both parties had long treks back down the Falls Chain.
For years I've listened to ranger Janice stress the importance of being careful at the Falls Chain portages. She even has a story about a gorgeous wood strip canoe that was destroyed going over those falls. Yikes, accidents happen!
June 6, 2014 I paddled through the Falls Chain and there was no canoe at the top of Kennebas Falls.
Downstream of Kennebas Falls I encountered half of a canoe wedged up against the shore and it was a Seagull Outfitters canoe.
May 29, 2017 another canoe was wedged at the top of Kennebas Falls.
Around Christmas 2017 I emailed Deb Mark of Seagull Outfitters and asked about the canoes. She told me that 2 of her Kevlar Bell (Northstar) canoes had been lost to Kennebas Falls within a few years of each other. Both times were parties of 4, 2 canoes, and after unloading the canoes at the top of Kennebas Falls one got away from them and became entrapped at the top of the falls. Fortunately there were no injuries, except to the canoes. And both parties had long treks back down the Falls Chain.
For years I've listened to ranger Janice stress the importance of being careful at the Falls Chain portages. She even has a story about a gorgeous wood strip canoe that was destroyed going over those falls. Yikes, accidents happen!
07/03/2024 02:52PM
I believe we found half of that canoe in Atkins Bay. 
Search BWCA.com
Donate