Planning a trip to Gun via EP #14 and trying to determine if our group of 6 experienced paddlers can make it there in one long day. Possibly single portaging at times. Let me know if anyone has ever accomplished this. Thanks

I'd say it is within the realm of possibility; depending on what type of conditions you happen to run into along the way.

It looks like its gonna be around 20 miles or so, and you'd probably be better off coming in north around the horn of LLC and dropping back down through Takumich.

A few years ago we covered about 19 miles on a trip from Mudro to Friday Bay on Crooked Lake which included an infamous slog up a very, very low Horse River. We didn't single portage but, it wasn't a full double portage either. Certainly was a long, hard day but there were no serious regrets. In fact, it's been cause for a lot of reminiscent laughter since then.







(photo) Gun Lake narrows campsite.

Thanks TB,
Like you said a lot will depend on conditions that day. We'll probably give it a try and see how far we get.

Cool route, Fishscales. My two teenage daughters and I made it from site 79 on North to the entry point in one day. It was a long day and the wind forced us to go through the interior lakes. Loon and Pauness were difficult because of the wind.
We left a little before 5:00 am and made it out by 3:30 pm.

If the weather cooperates, you should be fine. Enjoy the trip!

July 2022 my partner and I traveled about 30 miles on day one. About 5.4 miles of which was portage. Conditions were on and off light rain and light wind. We averaged about 2.5 MPH combined with both land and water.

YetiJedi,
Thanks for that info, feeling better about our chances.

Tomcat,
That's an impressive day for sure! Thanks.

I would definitely come in from the north. Wind conditions will be your biggest determinate. Also, there are only two campsites on Gun and only one nice site. After a long day you'll not want to stay at the site in the bay-trust me. If the first site is taken, you may want to head down to Eugene.

fishscales: "Planning a trip to Gun via EP #14 and trying to determine if our group of 6 experienced paddlers can make it there in one long day. Possibly single portaging at times. Let me know if anyone has ever accomplished this. Thanks"

A few years back a buddy & I made it from Finger Lake to EP #14 in one long single-portaging day, via the Fat - Slim Secret Squirrel Portage. Gun Lake would be slightly shorter via that route.

That said, we were gassed at the end!

There is a portage from LLC to Gun

Sns,
I've heard that secret squirrel route is pretty rough, a real Bushwack what's your opinion?

Amarillojim,

Yes, in 2014 we got a tow from Crane Lake, dropped at 41 Island then paddled over to that portage into Gun. We were planning on doing the same this year but the cost from Zups is $230/person which seems outrageous.

That's a good route. I've done it either via EP14 or tow-in from Crane Lake. I've been windbound on Loon or had to stop just north of Beatty portage and south of Snow Bay due to conditions, however it's doable in a long day. I love Zup's- Kathy is great to deal with! However, you might check out Anderson's. Mark is a good guy and his rate this year looks like it might be attractive for a group as large as yours. He could drop you off at Snow Bay and you'll easily make it to either the portage into Gun or paddle past to go in through Takucmich. There is good laker and walleye fishing in that combo of lakes.

fishscales: "Sns,
I've heard that secret squirrel route is pretty rough, a real Bushwack what's your opinion?"

Not a bushwhack, but more like an authentic Quetico/Woodland Caribou/Wabakimi portage. There is a trail; if you're there when foliage is not yet fully in, it is zero problem to follow. Perhaps more challenging when the leaves are in, but I bet there are a few groups every week taking that portage during the season...I would not hesitate to use it. One spot near the west end where two-manning a canoe might make negotiating a rocky shelf easier, though we one-manned it.

HighnDry,

Thanks, I'll give Anderson's a call and see what their rates are.

Sns,

That's encouraging, our group is pretty much up for challenges. Thanks.