BWCA Push for John Ek Lake, anyone? Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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10/20/2022 08:43AM  
I am considering a May 2023 or May 2024 push for John Ek Lake. I would be interested in trying for this with two other like minded bushwhackers taking in my MN3. Day one would be a big push to get up and camp on Pan first night. Day 2 would be the brutal push into John Ek. Stay on John Ek for 4 nights and survey the lake for depth and fish. Then back out the way we came. Previous PMA experience would be appreciated but not required.

This will not be a trip for the faint of heart and quitters will be stranded until the boat comes back their way. Minimal gear, travelling light and fast single portaging, and camping in hammocks/super small tents, eating a lot of fish and/or freeze dried food.

This lake has been discussed at length on here and I think it's time we get some real BWCA.com data on it. Who is with me?
 
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10/20/2022 12:08PM  
Please be careful about your sharing your plans. Your description will rankle many (perhaps rightfully so) as there is no designated campsite on John Ek and its not part of a PMA, so there is no overnight camping allowed there. I'm not saying don't do it, but I am saying leaving out certain details might be in your best interest. I'll delete my comment if you choose to change your post.
ockycamper
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10/20/2022 08:26PM  
In looking over the maps, Pan has two designated sites, but that's it. No sites from there to John Ek Lake. As the other poster stated, it is not a PMA so that means no camping on John Ek Lake or any lake between it and Pan Lake.
airmorse
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10/20/2022 09:32PM  
The year to do this trip would have been spring this year from the north. This years spring high water would have made taking the creeks the way to go. That and the burn from the fires burning a lot of the underbrush. New growth after the fire will make coming in from the north impossible now.

This was discussed with a friend of mine, but we could not make scheduling work. Just another dream for now.
10/21/2022 09:32AM  
How can there be no PMA in this area?!?!
10/22/2022 12:34PM  
How can there be any trees left (,for hammock)after the fire?
10/22/2022 09:21PM  
ockycamper: "In looking over the maps, Pan has two designated sites, but that's it. No sites from there to John Ek Lake. As the other poster stated, it is not a PMA so that means no camping on John Ek Lake or any lake between it and Pan Lake."

I bet if you spoke to the Forest service they would grant you a permit to camp. It’s definitely worth asking.
10/23/2022 10:42AM  
Mocha: "How can there be any trees left (,for hammock)after the fire?"


The fire only touched a very small portion of that lake. But you should go check, just in case :)
straighthairedcurly
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10/24/2022 10:01PM  
bumabu: "How can there be no PMA in this area?!?! "


I have wondered that as well.

Looks like the fire was on the northern part of the John Ek per the maps and then it stretched up north and touched on part of Elton Lake (as well as Jump and Hop).
Fire map
fishnfreak
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11/26/2022 11:46PM  
Well now, John EK you seek! Seems I might know a little something about this. It was the second toughest bushwhack we ever did and it took 3 tries. When you make in to John Ek.....make sure you hit Kickshaw as well.
McKegan
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12/29/2023 07:02PM  
Good winter to explore John Ek. I have very close once from the west (Pan), anyone want to give a little more info on the North (Little Sag with the new fire burned areas) or from the South from Louse/Sova lake area? Thanks
 
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