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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Trip Planning Forum Rockwood Lodge to Winchell in one day? |
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01/28/2022 02:49PM
If I had a group of 4-6 outdoors experienced men, relatively fit, ages 35-50, do you think I could get them from Rockwood Lodge on Poplar to Winchell in one Day?
That's at least 5 portages, none of them particularly long.
Thanks!
That's at least 5 portages, none of them particularly long.
Thanks!
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01/28/2022 03:11PM
Depends on weather, single carry or multiple , and time you start out. Double carry, slight head wind and take off at 730 = easy day, 4to 6 hrs. All the lakes on this route can get up and dance depending on the wind direction, watch for strong west winds on Winchell especially.
01/28/2022 03:22PM
Easily. My wife and I took off from Rockwood and were pulling into our basecamp on Horseshoe Lake site #673 after 2 hrs 15 min, double-portaging. From there, one of our day trips was to the falls coming out of Tremble Lake into Winchell, which took 2 hrs 30 min, one-way.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." -- Yogi Berra
01/28/2022 05:02PM
Not a problem at all timewise. The toughest portage is the one from Gaskin to Winchell. Likely muddy and swampy on the Gaskin side. As previously stated Winchell is somewhat of a wind tunnel. You may want to play it by ear and consider grabbing a site on Gaskin for the night and getting an early start for Winchell in the morning when winds are most likely to be the calmest. Site #628 on Gaskin is one of the best in the BWCA, #634 on Gaskin is pretty darn nice also. By the way take the longer portage out of the south arm of Horseshoe rather that the two shorter ones out of the northern arm. I have never tried them but I've read dozens of trip reports from others who have. My last 4 trips have been to/through Gaskin utilizing Rockwood and EP #47. You made an excellent choice.
01/28/2022 06:50PM
Northwoodsman: "Not a problem at all timewise. The toughest portage is the one from Gaskin to Winchell. Likely muddy and swampy on the Gaskin side. As previously stated Winchell is somewhat of a wind tunnel. You may want to play it by ear and consider grabbing a site on Gaskin for the night and getting an early start for Winchell in the morning when winds are most likely to be the calmest. Site #628 on Gaskin is one of the best in the BWCA, #634 on Gaskin is pretty darn nice also. By the way take the longer portage out of the south arm of Horseshoe rather that the two shorter ones out of the northern arm. I have never tried them but I've read dozens of trip reports from others who have. My last 4 trips have been to/through Gaskin utilizing Rockwood and EP #47. You made an excellent choice."
I’m headed to this area in the spring and thinking of staying on Gaskin. I looked at lake map on this site and don’t see a site #28. I see #27 & 29 but no #28. Is it not marked on this map?
Moray
01/28/2022 07:56PM
schweady: "Easily. My wife and I took off from Rockwood and were pulling into our basecamp on Horseshoe Lake site #673 after 2 hrs 15 min, double-portaging. From there, one of our day trips was to the falls coming out of Tremble Lake into Winchell, which took 2 hrs 30 min, one-way. "
What schweady said. You're probably looking at half a day or a tad longer to Winchell.
"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." ~ John Muir
01/28/2022 08:46PM
moray: "Northwoodsman: "Not a problem at all timewise. The toughest portage is the one from Gaskin to Winchell. Likely muddy and swampy on the Gaskin side. As previously stated Winchell is somewhat of a wind tunnel. You may want to play it by ear and consider grabbing a site on Gaskin for the night and getting an early start for Winchell in the morning when winds are most likely to be the calmest. Site #628 on Gaskin is one of the best in the BWCA, #634 on Gaskin is pretty darn nice also. By the way take the longer portage out of the south arm of Horseshoe rather that the two shorter ones out of the northern arm. I have never tried them but I've read dozens of trip reports from others who have. My last 4 trips have been to/through Gaskin utilizing Rockwood and EP #47. You made an excellent choice."
I’m headed to this area in the spring and thinking of staying on Gaskin. I looked at lake map on this site and don’t see a site #28. I see #27 & 29 but no #28. Is it not marked on this map?"
Gotta love that map. It misses the most popular campsite on the lake. Commonly known as the "Mondale" site. It's on the south side of the lake, at the end of the peninsula, half way between the portage in from Horseshoe and the one out to Winchell. It's listed as a photographic spot. I also like #633 as choice #3 however use the landing to the east, not the obvious one with the stairs. The same with #628. There are 3 landings. I prefer the one in the middle, the one on the south is great if it's windy.
01/29/2022 08:59AM
Northwoodsman: "moray: "Northwoodsman: "Not a problem at all timewise. The toughest portage is the one from Gaskin to Winchell. Likely muddy and swampy on the Gaskin side. As previously stated Winchell is somewhat of a wind tunnel. You may want to play it by ear and consider grabbing a site on Gaskin for the night and getting an early start for Winchell in the morning when winds are most likely to be the calmest. Site #628 on Gaskin is one of the best in the BWCA, #634 on Gaskin is pretty darn nice also. By the way take the longer portage out of the south arm of Horseshoe rather that the two shorter ones out of the northern arm. I have never tried them but I've read dozens of trip reports from others who have. My last 4 trips have been to/through Gaskin utilizing Rockwood and EP #47. You made an excellent choice."
I’m headed to this area in the spring and thinking of staying on Gaskin. I looked at lake map on this site and don’t see a site #28. I see #27 & 29 but no #28. Is it not marked on this map?"
Gotta love that map. It misses the most popular campsite on the lake. Commonly known as the "Mondale" site. It's on the south side of the lake, at the end of the peninsula, half way between the portage in from Horseshoe and the one out to Winchell. It's listed as a photographic spot. I also like #633 as choice #3 however use the landing to the east, not the obvious one with the stairs. The same with #628. There are 3 landings. I prefer the one in the middle, the one on the south is great if it's windy."
Thanks! I’ll check it out if we end up on Gaskin
Moray
01/29/2022 10:18AM
I agree with others that it’s definitely doable if the wind cooperates. When I stay at Rockwood I get permit and everything situated on arrival so I can hit the water at first light the next morning and beat the crowds and the wind.
My wife and I made it from Rockwood to the Mondale site on Gaskin in 3 hours with looking at some sites on horseshoe. Have fun. Rockwood is great and that area is my favorite.
My wife and I made it from Rockwood to the Mondale site on Gaskin in 3 hours with looking at some sites on horseshoe. Have fun. Rockwood is great and that area is my favorite.
Ride EZ
02/01/2022 11:20AM
This can definitely be done in a day, if the wind is not insane out of the west. If it's windy you get to Winchell, you will have a rough go of it. I've paddled against wind on that lake and it's no fun. BUT to get there you also have to go through a bunch of other wind tunnel type lakes. If you decided to stay the night on Horseshoe or Gaskin you wouldn't be disappointed either and it's a skip and a jump into WInchell in the morning.
02/01/2022 03:16PM
Easily.
I did a loop starting at Meeds, Henson, Omega, Winchell, Gaskin, Horseshoe, Caribou, and out Lizz in one full day of paddling.
I camped on Meeds the first night.
I did a loop starting at Meeds, Henson, Omega, Winchell, Gaskin, Horseshoe, Caribou, and out Lizz in one full day of paddling.
I camped on Meeds the first night.
"I am haunted by waters"~Norman Maclean "A River Runs Through It"
02/02/2022 12:58PM
Thank you all for the replies.
I surely believe that every BWCA trip is a "choose your own adventure". Part of that adventure is having great flexibility in your planing. I understand that the unexpected can come up and thwart a person's plans. I just want to know if it can reasonably be done, and the consensus is a resounding "yes".
I do intend to go for the one longer portage into Winchell rather than two shorter.
I surely believe that every BWCA trip is a "choose your own adventure". Part of that adventure is having great flexibility in your planing. I understand that the unexpected can come up and thwart a person's plans. I just want to know if it can reasonably be done, and the consensus is a resounding "yes".
I do intend to go for the one longer portage into Winchell rather than two shorter.
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