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Deeznuts
distinguished member (474)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/31/2021 08:43AM  
Planned trip from EP 14 to EP 14 June 19th-26th
Day 1: EP14 to Hustler Lake
Day 2: Hustler to Range Line Lake via the Sioux Hustler trail, day trip backpacking too and from
Day 3: Hustler Lake to GeBe
Day 4: GeBe to Takucmich via Laq La Croix (if weather permits, or go through pocket, finger, and the beartracks if wind is too bad)
Day 5: Taku to Fat
Day 6: Lay over day
Day 7: Fat to Loon via the unmarked slim Portage
Day 8: Loon to EP, out by 3PM

Few questions regarding the loop I have planned
1) Is it realistic to make it to Hustler in 1 day? We are single portaging and in our late 20s. 2 of us have already done Lynx to the EP in 6 hours so I feel like its doable.
2) How many miles is the hike to Range Line from Hustler?
3) Is it going to be poor planning to try to go out through Laq La Croix to get to Takucmich? I know the wind picks up in the afternoon but we were hoping we would be able to cross that bay if we stay close to shore.
4) Any parts of the trip you noticed that I should avoid?
 
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01/31/2021 01:33PM  
(1) EP #14 to Hustler is about 10 miles if you measure it on the map and should be easily doable if you get an early start. Caveat: I would calculate 10 miles as being 5 hours of travel on average, so the fact it took you an hour more than that to go a couple of miles less than that should be considered.

(2) Can't help with that.

(3) Possibly, but since you have an option you can leave that decision until then. Personally I would just go through Finger and Beartrack, which is a really nice stretch.

(4) Not really, but I did not go through Fat. When I did it 14 years ago that was not even mentioned. I went CW from Slim to North to Steep, which is another option.

It's really nice country and should be a great trip. Have fun.
01/31/2021 01:52PM  
I have not done this route, but will be doing something very similar in May. I'll share my thoughts based on my research but mostly will be following to see what others that have actually dipped their paddle in these waters have to say.

1) Getting to Hustler on Day 1 is maybe a bit aggressive but doable assuming weather cooperates. My only concern would be getting a site on Hustler later in the afternoon if it is crowded. Probably not an issue with 5 sites on the lake but just something to keep in mind. I like the idea of doing a day trip on the hiking trail!

2) My guess here is probably as good as yours. Looks like about 2 miles one-way. I suggest going to the hiking sub group for any posts on the Sioux-Hustler trail. Unless the trail is in really bad condition you should be able to hike there, hang out for a couple hours, and still make it back by mid afternoon.

3) My suggestion would be to watch the weather and decide either the night before or that morning which way to go. Going East to West in the afternoon on LLC could be rough, but if you get an early start I think you could be at the Taku portage by late morning. In general, it's good to be flexible and be able to go to a plan B or C if necessary.

4) I really look forward to how others may answer this one. My question would be more is there anything along this route that we don't want to miss!

FWIW As a fairly out of shape 53 year old (I prefer well seasoned) going solo here is my tentative plans. I also have a couple less days than you. As of now I don't have any lay-over days planned, but I also should be finding my campsites in the early to mid afternoon, so I will have time to relax/fish/explore in the evenings.

Day 1 (Wednesday, May 19th) - Early start after driving up the day before. EP14 to Lynx
Day 2 - Lynx to Oyster
Day 3 -Oyster to Finger through Gebe.
Day 4 - Finger to Fat
Day 5 - Fat to Lower Pauness
Day 6 - Lower Pauness to EP14. Out by noon for a shower, lunch, and the drive back to the cities.

cyclones30
distinguished member(4163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/31/2021 02:31PM  
Sounds like fun, I'm not familiar with all of it.

On your way out you may see boats on Loon. (and they can compete with you for campsites) So check little loon first. It should be an easy half day or less for your trip from Loon back to the EP
Noslen
senior member (80)senior membersenior member
  
01/31/2021 03:46PM  
1) Yes, done that a couple times. Not hard and have gone farther on day one
2) Don't know, sorry
3) Should be no problem. Have hit calm weather as well as miserable wind and waves. If you leave early easy to make it or change your direction. If you want advice, unless you want to make a detour to pictographs on LLC pocket/finger/beartrack is more enjoyable for less people and more changing scenery. LLC might be better for fishing (lake trout). Believe Pocket/Finger/Beartrack is better for solitude.
4) Have Fun
Deeznuts
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01/31/2021 03:55PM  
I was thinking little loon or the eastern bay last night. My only concern is getting there early enough to beat the day trippers coming in Saturday morning. I'm super excited about this trip! I have been planning it for the last 2 years. I cant wait to get out there again!
The last time we came from lynx we were with a bigger group, with older men, and more gear. This trip, I'm hoping, will be vastly different from our last. More ground covered, less anxiety about the route, easier portaging with lighter packs. Of course we did stop on our way back in at the little waterfall and pool off the EP trail for a last minute scrub down. We were all smelling pretty ripe by the end and didnt want to endure the 22 hour car ride home smelling like hobos.
01/31/2021 04:07PM  
1) That's realistic. We mostly single-portaged from EP14 to Fat Lake in 5.5 hours last spring.
2) 2.5 miles, I think. ish.
3) If not windy, I'd try LLC. But the interior route is indeed nice too, just longer if wind is not a factor.
4) We exited from Finger on that same spring trip, went thru Fat, did the Fat-Slim portage for the second time in a week, went through Little Loon and past two open sites there, planning to lay up on Loon for an exit the following day. Mistake.
Ended up back at EP14 at dark, as every site was full...was a brutal day, and we finished with a two-mile sprint (we left a wake!) to get back before all light was gone. We were gassed. Find your site early on that last full day.
 
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