Okay, I admit it, I'm getting more frail and tempted by the dark side: portage wheels. I know, purists will hate me, and I hate me for being tempted, but my shoulders, along with my companion's hips, are crying for help.

I know I can't bring MECHANIZED wheels, but what about a little axle-and-wheels, lightweight, that I can put under my canoe? I know a lot of Quetico portages would make the wheels unusable (rocky cliffs or muddy terrain), but wherever it can be used would be a godsend.

What is the regulation? And I'm open to suggestions for the most harmless way to help us all still enjoy the beautiful Quetico.

Thanks, friends!!

Quetico Regulations.

Portage wheels are prohibited, as detailed (and highlighted) in the above link.

TZ

I think most portages would not permit a portage wheel to get too far. There is a portage between Sawbill and Alton that they would work on, but most of them, no way.

There was a guy on the forums not too long ago that thought putting the canoe on a giant piece of plastic and pulling it along would work.

Tom

TrailZen: " Quetico Regulations.

Portage wheels are prohibited, as detailed (and highlighted) in the above link."

TZ nailed it. By rule, no portage wheels allowed. Frankly, with the rocky portages and muddy stretches, they'd be next to useless on many of the Quetico portages anyway.

You can still do as we, and many others, do... don't portage much. Stay on some of the main entry lakes, perhaps going a short portage or two toward the interior. You're still in Quetico and you'll still enjoy everything that Quetico has to offer. This option will hopefully keep me going to Q for many more years.

.

You could try to find Quetico First Nation Guides.

They are not bound by the same rules. They can fly you into certain lakes, use motors, live bait/minnows/leeches. Poohbah is a common fly in lake.

The last portage wheel I saw was a while back a couple of guides bringing motor boats to Argo to store for the season. This was on the Crooked to Argo portage. It accommodated portage wheels easily. It still looked like a lot of work, I suspect that's the deepest they get into Quetico. Not uncommon to see motors and minnow buckets on Minn and McAree.

Maybe ya could hire a guide to use portage wheels and help portage your canoe?

Hey I hate that they allow it, but it's the rules. I do think it is getting harder to find First Nation guides though.

T

bobbernumber3: "I started working out 16 years ago at the age of 52 so that I didn't have to quit Quetico canoe trips. Just got back from a week on the Kopka River. Age 68."

We both joined a gym and started working with a personal trainer after last year's 100+ mile, 54 portage, Quetico trip. We have a 9-night Quetico permit for late August with plans to continue single-walking portages for several more years. We're both 73.

TZ

bobbernumber3: "

Layover Paleez: "Okay, I admit it, I'm getting more frail.."

I started working out 16 years ago at the age of 52 so that I didn't have to quit Quetico canoe trips. Just got back from a week on the Kopka River. Age 68."

Good for you Bobber3!

I did the Kopka in 2017 starting from Allenwater Bridge up the Brightsand (going south from Allenwater Bridge) to the Kashishibog to the Kopka ending at Wabinosh Bay on Lake Nipigon. A great trip. I prepped for it by swimming laps, walking and carrying a 60# Royalex canoe for about 3-4 times weekly before the trip. I turned 70 that fall. I still carry the Royalex canoe starting in March each year - great for conditioning for Canadian trips. My PT called it functional fitness.

TrailZen: "

bobbernumber3: "I started working out 16 years ago at the age of 52 so that I didn't have to quit Quetico canoe trips. Just got back from a week on the Kopka River. Age 68."

We both joined a gym and started working with a personal trainer after last year's 100+ mile, 54 portage, Quetico trip. We have a 9-night Quetico permit for late August with plans to continue single-walking portages for several more years. We're both 73.


TZ"

Somewhat relevant-they took people from assisted living and put them on a weight training program. Within a month they doubled their strength. If health permits weight training and aerobics (bike etc. with more than a light pedal) can add dero you're canoeing.

Yes, as you get older it gets tougher- I go to a health club and being age 75 I see this skinny looking 18-year young women and she can put me to shame lifting weights.
But will say I am better off than 99% of people my age because I work out.

Pinetree: "Yes, as you get older it gets tougher- I go to a health club and being age 75 I see this skinny looking 18-year young women and she can put me to shame lifting weights. But will say I am better off than 99% of people my age because I work out."

Just back from the gym. Most of the folks there this morning were much younger than me and can out-perform me on any of the weight or exercise machines. But my 73 year old body is in better shape than most of the other 70+ year olds, and I hope to keep it that way.

TZ

TrailZen: "

Pinetree: "Yes, as you get older it gets tougher- I go to a health club and being age 75 I see this skinny looking 18-year young women and she can put me to shame lifting weights. But will say I am better off than 99% of people my age because I work out."

Just back from the gym. Most of the folks there this morning were much younger than me and can out-perform me on any of the weight or exercise machines. But my 73 year old body is in better shape than most of the other 70+ year olds, and I hope to keep it that way.


TZ"

We old geezers got to keep exercising. Also, many places the gym is a social hour with other friends being there.
The old saying "If you don't use it you lose it". Really relates to muscles as you get older.

You can use portage wheels on lakes that have mutual borders, unless that has changed, haven't dug in looking at that. But say going to Crooked from basswood, which I have done a few times, using portage wheels for the first lonng portage, is a great thing, IMO. Then they don't get used again, rest of portages not appropriate for them.

buz: "You can use portage wheels on lakes that have mutual borders, unless that has changed, haven't dug in looking at that. But say going to Crooked from basswood, which I have done a few times, using portage wheels for the first lonng portage, is a great thing, IMO. Then they don't get used again, rest of portages not appropriate for them. "

I question that, especially like Birch-Carp_Knife. Maybe I have to do some research.

Pinetree: "

buz: "You can use portage wheels on lakes that have mutual borders, unless that has changed, haven't dug in looking at that. But say going to Crooked from basswood, which I have done a few times, using portage wheels for the first lonng portage, is a great thing, IMO. Then they don't get used again, rest of portages not appropriate for them. "

I question that, especially like Birch-Carp_Knife. Maybe I have to do some research."

Agree, I could be wrong but that doesn’t sound right. I agree with Pinetree. But when I researched it, it does say portages along the international boundary. Does that include Birch-carp-Knife? It would appear to include Basswood to Crooked. I still can’t believe it is right…

(b) Mechanical and mechanized portages.

(1) BWCA visitors may use portage wheels and other non-motorized devices to transport watercraft over the following routes:

(i) The portages along the International Boundary.

(ii) Four Mile Portage from Fall Lake to Hoist Bay of Basswood Lake.

(iii) The portage from Back Bay to Pipestone Bay of Basswood Lake.

(iv) The portages from Fall Lake to Newton Lake to Pipestone Bay of Basswood Lake.

(v) The portage from Vermilion Lake to Trout Lake.

bobbernumber3: "

Layover Paleez: "Okay, I admit it, I'm getting more frail..
"

I started working out 16 years ago at the age of 52 so that I didn't have to quit Quetico canoe trips. Just got back from a week on the Kopka River. Age 68."

God Bless you, buddy. I'm 51, and a fat heap of what used to be an athlete. I've started walking two hours a day with a pack on my back for the same reason. I'm glad it worked for you!

timatkn: "

Pinetree: "

buz: "You can use portage wheels on lakes that have mutual borders, unless that has changed, haven't dug in looking at that. But say going to Crooked from basswood, which I have done a few times, using portage wheels for the first lonng portage, is a great thing, IMO. Then they don't get used again, rest of portages not appropriate for them. "

I question that, especially like Birch-Carp_Knife. Maybe I have to do some research."

Agree, I could be wrong but that doesn’t sound right. I agree with Pinetree. But when I researched it, it does say portages along the international boundary. Does that include Birch-carp-Knife? It would appear to include Basswood to Crooked. I still can’t believe it is right…


(b) Mechanical and mechanized portages.


(1) BWCA visitors may use portage wheels and other non-motorized devices to transport watercraft over the following routes:


(i) The portages along the International Boundary.


(ii) Four Mile Portage from Fall Lake to Hoist Bay of Basswood Lake.


(iii) The portage from Back Bay to Pipestone Bay of Basswood Lake.


(iv) The portages from Fall Lake to Newton Lake to Pipestone Bay of Basswood Lake.


(v) The portage from Vermilion Lake to Trout Lake."

can
Okay than can you even possess them in non-portage areas of Quetico or the BWCA, it is illegal to stash items like this in those areas?

.

TheBrownLeader: "

bobbernumber3: "

Layover Paleez: "Okay, I admit it, I'm getting more frail..
"

I started working out 16 years ago at the age of 52 so that I didn't have to quit Quetico canoe trips. Just got back from a week on the Kopka River. Age 68."

God Bless you, buddy. I'm 51, and a fat heap of what used to be an athlete. I've started walking two hours a day with a pack on my back for the same reason. I'm glad it worked for you!
"

Your routine is obviously a great first step. You'll build muscle and lose a bit of fat. The net effect on your weight will be negligible though. If you want to significantly drop your weight - which will lighten your load and really enhance your performance - you have to change your diet. Cut out the simple sugars and starches, eat whole foods, and the pounds will melt away.

Stashing them for a return trip use is technically not legal. That being said, if you are only using them for that portion, and coming back the same way, wellllllllllll, there is a lot of room in the woods. Not that I have done that.

Never had the instance if you are checked in Quetico and have wheels what would happen, given you were not using them on non border lakes. I imagine the discussion would be " i came in on a border lake route, used them appropriately, cannot stash them in the woods, that is illegal, so I have them with me to use correctly on the way out"

While I only use them to get to crooked, the writing I think is pretty clear, any shared border lake/portage is fair game. Not many portages are appropriate for them anyway, needs to be darn flat and un rocky. Not many fit that bill.

But I love mine, they make getting over the long portage on the BW river so easy and quick.

If you are in the rules, what do I care. I was just surprised. Learned something new :)

T