I received a call this past week from Thunder Bay. I was told that my 2020 application for an RABC had expired and could no longer be held. I would need to re-apply when the border opens and travel is allowed.

Well, I just naturally assumed I'd have to re-apply so that was no shock. But it did make me start thinking.

My question is this: When the border is finally open and travel into Quetico is allowed, in what condition do you think the portages and campsites will be? At the beginning of the season, will fallen trees across trails need to be cleared? Will unused campsites be way overgrown? I have a feeling work by the Ontario Parks crews have been limited.

Just musing.

Terry

Ahh good questions.

I will make the assumption that trail clearing crews are still doing their thing. It’s not something they can stop doing without making more work later on. And there are still Canadians using Quetico. I bet a Canadian park user will chime in soon.

I’ve been wondering how much firewood will be had at many campsites that receive little use. And new growth at campsites. I imagine a heavenly place.

Tom

No camping till at least May 20 last I checked so a lot of portages not being used by anyone. I don't know but suspect employees are also not allowed to overnight in the park.

By Late July 2020, every portage we hit was in good shape and were clearly maintained recently. Our route took us from Stanton Bay to McDougall, Sturgeon, Lonely and up through Pickerel narrows. Ran into a clearing crew between Jesse and Maria.

Campsites were littered with pine cones and tonnes of firewood everywhere. Lots of driftwood. Essentially we got to experience in July what May campers normally see... and no toilet paper remnants!

Lesser used sites that are grassy will definitely require a whipper-snipper ??

It wouldn't surprise me if portage crews are working now. It wouldn't surprise me if they weren't.

Thanks, Argo. I guess it's just a wait and see. Here in the states, park staff has been limited for the past year resulting in visitor center closings along with some camping areas. I guess essential employees were retained. Hopefully, trail maintenance crews in Quetico were still employed and busy.

In any case, like so many others, I am ready for the "open" sign to flash on Quetico for us here south of the border. And no matter the condition of portages and campsites, the tonic of Quetico will heal the pain of longing.

Terry

24kGold: ". And no matter the condition of portages and campsites, the tonic of Quetico will heal the pain of longing.

Terry "

I do need the tonic. Fantasizing of dipping my hands in the cold water to splash my face.

tumblehome: "

24kGold: ". And no matter the condition of portages and campsites, the tonic of Quetico will heal the pain of longing.

Terry "

I do need the tonic. Fantasizing of dipping my hands in the cold water to splash my face."

Forget about dipping my hands into the water. I want to wet a fishing line in Quetico waters!

I actually think the thing I miss the most about Quetico are the campsites. In the BWCA last year there was just something about having a FS grate and a latrine as opposed to the classic Quetico style rock fire pit that just didn’t give me that same sense of wilderness. That and seeing a bunch of people on Knife Lake, haha. We’re doing a more remote area of the BWCA this June, so hopefully that will help.

Frankly, I kind of doubt Quetico (or even the southern half or so) will be or feel all that different after 1.5-2 years of lesser use. It’s so common to be the only person on a whole lake or large bay that I bet the best 10-20% of campsites see the significant majority of use. It will be nice for those sites to have a little break from foot traffic and firewood harvest, but even then I rarely mind the amount of use at most Quetico campsites I’ve stayed at.