We are thinking we could drive to Canada and pass through customs at either International Falls to get to Atikokan or at Grand Portage to get to Thunder Bay and then enter into Quetico.

Our desired destination is Kawnipi and we would like to have it reachable by paddle/portage in about 8-9 hours. I looked at a route from Mack Lake (entry point 23) to Kawnipi and I estimate it would take about 8-9 hours of paddle/portage.

Has anyone ever entered through Mack Lack, EP 23, on the East side of Quetico and if so, how did you get into Mack?

I see an alternate route from the North but the paddle/portage time calculates to about 18+ hours. I'm not sure if there are any other feasible routes.

I have calls into a couple of Canadian outfitters to get their take on this.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice on this.

Sure why not?!

My group is considering a Canadian side entry too. We're a bit concerned about having to all get a clean test before we go and what happens if one of us turns up a positive. We have to travel a healthy distance to get there. I'm not sure, but I don't think insurance will cover a test for travel only, so the testing would be out of pocket. I've already poked around in the ArriveCAN app and have outfitters selected if we decide it's the way to go, but that 72 hour time constraint squeezes the folks like us who have to travel from the southern US to get there.

Isn't Mack lake accessible by float plane only?

I could be wrong but I don't think it's a drive-up access point.

sns: "Isn't Mack lake accessible by float plane only?

I could be wrong but I don't think it's a drive-up access point."

Yep. Float plane only. Although, some have bushwhacked in from old logging roads to the east. Ask MagicPaddler about that.

A Nym Lake or Stanton Bay entry is probably the best way to get to Kawnipi from the north and follow the B and Poet Chains.

You might like that area so much, you'll never make it to Kawnipi. :)

I think MP bushwhacked a mile or so down an unused, overgrown logging road to get to Mack. I could be wrong on that though.

Thanks for the responses. Anyone have contact info on float plane charters into Mack?

goblu79: "My group is considering a Canadian side entry too. We're a bit concerned about having to all get a clean test before we go and what happens if one of us turns up a positive. We have to travel a healthy distance to get there. I'm not sure, but I don't think insurance will cover a test for travel only, so the testing would be out of pocket. I've already poked around in the ArriveCAN app and have outfitters selected if we decide it's the way to go, but that 72 hour time constraint squeezes the folks like us who have to travel from the southern US to get there."

If you don't try, you'll regret it forever. My wife and I (residents of North Carolina) pulled the trigger on this approach Tuesday (July 20) by making a nine-night reservation out of Beaverhouse for late August. Plan on taking our COVID tests the day before we hit the road, drive two days to reach the International Falls/Fort Francis border crossing, and hope like hell our test results are positive and reach us within the 72-hour window.

TZ

Just talked with an outfitter and a float plane operator and as someone stated, access to Mack is fly in only (they drop you at a lake a short portage from Mack. Further, given the dry summer and low water levels, the paddle route from Mack to Kawnipi is not passable.

The outfitter recommended the route from Stanton Bay (Pickerel Lake) to Kawnipi. This route is about 35 miles one way and estimated to take about 14.5 hrs. We are looking a some other shorter trip options out of Stanton Bay.

Hello! We have a cabin on Saganaga Lake and have always crossed over by applying for a RABC permit. The program has been suspended since the beginning of Covid, leaving our only option to go through Customs in Thunderbay, drive to Northern Light Lake, and make a super long boat ride + portage to access Sag (plus arrange boat rides/pick ups). While sustainable for one trip, we have older people in our family who desperately want to get to the cabin and that trip is too long/rugged with all of our gear.

Does anyone know of an outfitter or private party that could fly a float plane into the Canadian side of Saganaga Lake from Thunderbay? If so, I'd like to arrange a couple week trip this summer. We've seen many float planes on the lake, but it's unclear where they are coming from ;)

Any help is greatly appreciated!

The outfitter on Powell Lake can get you to Mack Lake. There is a ATV trail form the resort to a creek that runs into Mack. He has a dock, storage shed, and canoes at the creek. I have paddled up to it. You don’t want to do the bushwhack. I have bushwhacked in off that logging road 2 times.

MagicPaddler: "The outfitter on Powell Lake can get you to Mack Lake. There is a ATV trail form the resort to a creek that runs into Mack. He has a dock, storage shed, and canoes at the creek. I have paddled up to it. You don’t want to do the bushwhack. I have bushwhacked in off that logging road 2 times. "

The planes are likely flying in from Atikokan to drop off or pick up campers, re-supply the park office and/or shuttle staff, or could be MNR related.

I'm not sure but in most, if not all, cases the carrier is likely Atikokan Air. They may be owned by Canoe Canada Outfitters. I would call them.