Taking my wife on a 7 day trip from Snowbank June 2-9. We are putting in on Snowbank as early as possible ~5am. I know the portages from Boot to Ensign and Ensign to Vera are fairly difficult, but what do you think about reaching Vera from Snowbank in a day? We're in good shape and have experience. I know Ensign can be pretty busy with people coming from Moose Lake. I would hate to get shut out on campsites on Ensign and think it might be best to travel on to Vera. I think we should have plenty of time and energy to reach Vera. Being close to Moose Lake makes me a little nervous about not finding a campsite, since the last time I was in this area I was shut out (mid sept 2020)

Day 1: Snowbank to Vera
Day 2: Vera to Kekekabic area lakes (probably Wisini)
Day 3: Base camp Wisini
Day 4: Base camp Wisini
Day 5: Wisini to Ima via Fraser, Thomas, Hatchet
Day 6: Chill on Ima
Day 7: Snowbank exit

Is this a ridiculous plan? Or am I overthinking and we'll be fine?
Questions Comments Concerns?

We paddled out to Snowbank from Ashigan last summer rather quickly.....Vera is not that much farther. Just gotta finish the day with that portage from Ensign to Vera ;) We did not do the Boot route but went thru Disappointment.

It takes 6 hours at a leisurely pace and double portaging for traveling from Snowbank EP to the eastern most site on Vera. 6.5 hours with a lunch break.

Word that's about what I figured. We're single portagers and with launching from Snowbank around 5-530am I think we can be to Vera by lunchtime. I was talking to someone who said that would be too hard to accomplish so I wanted to get some second opinions! I feel pretty good about it, we live in Tower so we can be on the water on snowbank pretty damn early and we'll have fresh legs for the couple of harder portages in there

GoingDownThePortageFeelingBad: "Word that's about what I figured. We're single portagers and with launching from Snowbank around 5-530am I think we can be to Vera by lunchtime. I was talking to someone who said that would be too hard to accomplish so I wanted to get some second opinions! I feel pretty good about it, we live in Tower so we can be on the water on snowbank pretty damn early and we'll have fresh legs for the couple of harder portages in there "

Remember to find time to pick up your permit.

iwegean: "

GoingDownThePortageFeelingBad: "Word that's about what I figured. We're single portagers and with launching from Snowbank around 5-530am I think we can be to Vera by lunchtime. I was talking to someone who said that would be too hard to accomplish so I wanted to get some second opinions! I feel pretty good about it, we live in Tower so we can be on the water on snowbank pretty damn early and we'll have fresh legs for the couple of harder portages in there "

Remember to find time to pick up your permit."

Yep I tend to swing by the ranger station the day prior and pick it up to allow for an ass crack of dawn launch!

Assuming you single portage and paddle at 3mph then from the Snowbank entry to Campsite 1236 in Vera (middle of the five) it's just a hair under 4 hours.

That according to another website I'm not allowed to mention the name of. I can't imagine without major wind issues that there'd be a problem. I'd assume that your experience with that exceeds mine as you live just a little (thousand miles) closer. :)


Side note, what make Wisini the choice to base camp on? I haven't been through there in almost thirty years and don't remember a thing about it.

I'm thinking Knife and Kekekabic could be kinda hairy with people and there's a cool campsite on Wisini (1909) that I'd like to stay at again. I got there from Seagull on a big trip years ago and I figure it's in a good location to day trip to other cool lakes. That said, I'm not hard and firm we'll base camp there, if the cool site is taken I'd just as soon base camp on any of those smaller lakes in the Kekekabic area. We'll see what happens!

Experience + single portaging = no problem

You'll make good time to Vera and since you are entering on a Monday, you should have a reasonable opportunity to find a campsite. I don't think you would have trouble finding a site on Ensign either, but I personally think Vera is a better choice regardless.

Have a great trip.

If you haven't seen it already, I covered alot of your proposed route on this trip. A solo new beginning

As others have said, one day to Vera is reasonable. After you leave Vera, take the time to enjoy some of those smaller lakes headed toward kek. From Trader Lake, the portage to Neglige is a cool walk, even if you don't take gear. Skoota is one of my favorite lakes, especially if you're fishing for pike.

We did this trip as a dad and daughter trip in 3 nights. 2 high school girls and 2 dads. It was pushing it in 3 nights, but we were efficient. Still had time for some laker fishing. A week is plenty. A beautiful area!