I didn't want to hijack a thread of similar name in the Trip Plan forum. But I'm interested in your plan/dream for an epic trip in either BWCA or Quetico....just these two areas please.

I've completed at least 20 solos in these areas ranging from 6 nights to 18 nights. My "bucket" trip will happen when Quetico opens up for US travelers. My plan is to visit 25 iconic sites in 25 days...solo. I may include sites on the border lakes in the BWCA like Table Rock, Ribbon Rock, Thunder Point, etc.

So, is this nuts? Any iconic BWCA sites within a few hours I might include?

And what is on your solo bucket list?

I'll have to settle for breaking up a long epic trip into smaller, separate trips for now. I'd put a loop through Quetico (picking up permit at BH station - never done that) to Jean and eventually Bentpine, out through Badwater. Another trip would be a dedicated trip into Ted. A third trip would take me into Argo/Darky area.

I haven't done the Heron Bay, Fred, Camel, Camel, Delahey with a good death-march portage into Conmee yet. There's the Cache lake swamp swim portages as well. A long base camp on Kawnipi and Falls Chain excursion.

It would seem to me as I read over that list that I haven't done a lot of Quetico but the opposite is true. I've been into a lot of those areas and hit a lake or two on each of those loops but a deeper exploration is needed just to get them out of my system.

(No way I'm doing that Yum-Yum portage though :)

P.S. I should add the pictos on Darky. They are apparently a must-see.

HighnDry:
(No way I'm doing that Yum-Yum portage though :)

Oh come on, HnD, you wuss. I know you're better....

Yum Yum is just......er......long.....







And that Boggy Portage is just like.....don't fall off the log....my son went down to his crotch and luckily his boot was laced tight enough.....I just couldn't get myself to get a photo of him swearing/laughing though....








And as far as Cache Lake and Trousers.....no effing way....

I was suppose to do it last year. Then this year. Maybe next year!
French-Russell-Lonely-Jean-Quetico-Badwater-Sturgeon-Poohbah-Conmee-Delahey-Keats-Kawnipi-McKenzie-Cache-French.

Then I can grow old and base camp with a smile. Or you guys can visit my grave in the Q.

My bucket trip is one month long starting at Beaverhouse going through the the northern half to Pickerel and a resupply at Dawson campground. Then head back west through a southern route. Lakes and details TBD before the trip.

As for iconic sites - maybe get a list of all the message jars in the park. There's a private thread on these here unless it was deleted.

PineKnot: "

HighnDry:
(No way I'm doing that Yum-Yum portage though :)

Oh come on, HnD, you wuss. I know you're better....


Yum Yum is just......er......long.....







And that Boggy Portage is just like.....don't fall off the log....my son went down to his crotch and luckily his boot was laced tight enough.....I just couldn't get myself to get a photo of him swearing/laughing though....









And as far as Cache Lake and Trousers.....no effing way...."

Hahaha! That post made me laugh! As our good friend MP has often quoted, "you haven't really experienced a muddy portage until you have mud in your pockets" :)

If I had a month in Quetico, I would probably go in late August and into late September. Get that warm, tail end of summer and feel the transition into autumn. And I don't think I would necessarily have a plan. More like, I would want to get to certain lakes, like Ted, Montgomery, McIntyre. I would probably stay at campsites that always interested me, that I have marked on a map but never stayed at before. If I found a good site, I would probably stay there for more then a day or two, to get that real, lived in feel.

There are three places I would make sure I got to:
Montgomery and bushwack to the pictograph on the creek. An amazing location and feel.
Kahshahpiwi and the 270 degree overlook.
A secret location.

I can't help with much in the BWCA - I have spent more time north of Q than south.

But if we're playing along with your rules, my BWCA/Q bucktey trip would be about duration. I've never been out more than about 8 days. Would love to do 3 or 4 weeks, and meander where I like. Bushwhack to a remote Q lake or two. Basecamp for a handful of days someplace remote and spectacular. That would do it for me.