Greetings!
I was wondering if anyone can give me a general overview of the portages in the Falls Chain. I have a moderate amount of experience, but don’t want to be overconfident when planning for a potential Mid-June trip to Kawnipi. We’re both in the 65-70 year range and not as limber as in the old days.

On a typical landing, can you pull up, assess the situation, and get out of the canoe slowly, or is it more hit the beach and scramble before you’re in trouble? I’m chuckling as I write this, but we both take a couple of minutes to limber up when exiting the boat… sigh!!

Mid-May conditions will be a factor that you won't really know until springtime. Snow-melt run-off can really add to the excitement of the Falls Chain. Be sure to discuss this with the Cache Bay Ranger when you check in. He/she can provide you a map with portages marked and give you intel as to the latest conditions. Good Luck on your trip and travels.

As bobbernumber3 stated, you won't really know until the time comes. Mid June should be OK, but if the water is high it can be a different animal. I have seen it with very high water and it can be scary. Most of the time if you ease up to the landings there is no problem with having to hurry or anything. You just do not want to miss the landings, so go slow, pay attention and know where they are supposed to be. For many people the issues arise when they launch above the falls. It is important to launch the direction you are headed and be ready to navigate immediately. You do not want to be sideways(or god forbid backwards) in strong current above any of the falls. Stay near shore until well away from falls. Take the longer portage if there is a fork. At normal water levels there really is not anything to be afraid of, just be alert and take your time. Don't discount what the rangers tell you about conditions, and make sure to use the exploded view of the falls chain map.

Thanks for the insight… and we will be watching conditions as we get closer.

So.. is it possible to have a backup plan for another area of The Q along with appropriate permits and cancel the original permits if the conditions are not right? And, if so, what is the time frame and penalties for cancelling?

Graybeard: "Thanks for the insight… and we will be watching conditions as we get closer.


So.. is it possible to have a backup plan for another area of The Q along with appropriate permits and cancel the original permits if the conditions are not right? And, if so, what is the time frame and penalties for cancelling? "

Get yourself a Falls Chain permit. Head toward the Falls Chain when you leave Cache Bay. After day 2, you are free to travel the Q.

Having said that, you need to make a good faith effort at your destination. But if you get to the Falls Chain and don't like conditions, you can back off and hang around Boundary Point or elsewhere.

One year, I had a Man Chain permit. I took off and headed to Silver Falls and the Man Chain. Later I heard that Man Chain permits assumed you would head toward the Monument Portage on Day 1. Or vise versa... it was a long time ago.

But Q permits are somewhat flexible. If you can't get to the Ranger Station due to weather, you can arrive the next day and enter. Don't double book.

Thank you!

Graybeard: "Greetings!
I was wondering if anyone can give me a general overview of the portages in the Falls Chain. I have a moderate amount of experience, but don’t want to be overconfident when planning for a potential Mid-June trip to Kawnipi. We’re both in the 65-70 year range and not as limber as in the old days.

On a typical landing, can you pull up, assess the situation, and get out of the canoe slowly, or is it more hit the beach and scramble before you’re in trouble? I’m chuckling as I write this, but we both take a couple of minutes to limber up when exiting the boat… sigh!!"

Greetings, Greybeard! Please check out The Quetico forum on this site; lots of Falls Chain info there.

Quetico Forum

Frenchy19: "

Graybeard: "Greetings!
I was wondering if anyone can give me a general overview of the portages in the Falls Chain. I have a moderate amount of experience, but don’t want to be overconfident when planning for a potential Mid-June trip to Kawnipi. We’re both in the 65-70 year range and not as limber as in the old days.


On a typical landing, can you pull up, assess the situation, and get out of the canoe slowly, or is it more hit the beach and scramble before you’re in trouble? I’m chuckling as I write this, but we both take a couple of minutes to limber up when exiting the boat… sigh!!"

Greetings, Greybeard! Please check out The Quetico forum on this site; lots of Falls Chain info there.

Quetico Forum "

Yep, welcome aboard Greybeard, and check out the Quetico Forum. Print this to take with you on the trip:

If you choose to not get into the Falls Chain for some reason, you can divert and happily spend a week on Saganagons at a few different campsites.

Thanks… will do!

In my misspent youth, my partner and I attempted to line a loaded canoe through one of the rapids on this route with lines on the bow and stern. The current took the stern and snap-stretched the ligaments in my partner's shoulders until he let go at the last instant.

Fortunately the stern came all the way around without shipping water and capsizing, and I was able to hold the bow line while he scrambled behind me to retrieve the stern line. It would have been "unpleasant" trying to recover from what should have happened ...

Well .. I’m leading a boring existence.. to date all I’ve had happen is a good dumping or two trying to get out of the boat!

Graybeard: "Well .. I’m leading a boring existence.. to date all I’ve had happen is a good dumping or two trying to get out of the boat!"

Every time I've dumped, I've been rescued by a float plane.