Hello Everyone and happy Solstice and New Year! I'm hoping to paddle the Little Indian Sioux point to point between EP 9 and Crab/Burntside EP4. I prefer to paddle spring and fall but this year my only opportunity will be mid July (kind of sucks because prefer solitude).

Q1: Which direction is preferable?

Q2: Assuming I cannot get an EP 9 permit, are there any issues going 4 to 9?

Q3: Any issues or tips I should be aware of?

I am an older (74) solo paddler and have paddled, mostly kayaks, for 62 years and raced 35 years. This would be my 6th (?) solo canoe trip in BWCA/Quetico.

Thanks everyone! -Steve (aka Mancosotter)

The only downside I see with starting at Crab is you start with a long portage when your pack(s) are at their heaviest.

This is an area I haven't explored much yet, but am seriously considering it for a solo this year. Not necessarily the same EP, but exploring this SW portion of the BWCA. I've been in thru Trout once but due to me nursing a 3 week old ankle fracture, we didn't wander past Pine.

I would try and start from the LIS side, so for that reason, it might be important to lock down your permit the day they become available. With only 1 permit per day for that EP, I wouldn’t take any chances. The LIS South is gorgeous. 1 waterfall on the way to Bootleg lake and it’s a beauty. The USFS also added a campsite along the river somewhere in that stretch between the EP and Pony River. That takes some pressure off of your first day. In the past, you had to make it all the way to Bootleg Lake before there were any campsites. Bootleg is a pretty lake too, then north campsite is the best, with a sandy beach canoe landing, good kitchen and ample space for tents/hammocks. Lots of bass can be caught from camp.

Tony

Thank you Curly and Tony!
What I'm hearing is that there are no issues or problems (except for pack weight) starting at either EP, but starting at EP9 is preferable, correct?
And YES, I'm planning to try to grab a permit on the 28th. I have always drifted along, decided to go, and looked for available permits. I just know that western US whitewater permits on Recdotgov all go in about 15 seconds, no exaggeration, so I want a backup plan.
Thanks again!
-Steve

A strong south wind will definitely hamper your travels, and depending on water levels, the Little Pony could be choked with weeds also slowing you down. There’s also a lot of portages between Bootleg and Cummings so be sure to get an early start on that day. You won’t see too many people until you get to Cummings so enjoy your solitude. The portage out of Crab is about a mile but it’s relatively flat. Get an early start on your last day because if it gets windy, Burntside can be a challenge getting across. Use the islands to weave your way back to the entry point. It will be a challenge, but you’re going through an area that sees very few people.