Considering a solo trip probably starting mid-August that would involve mostly paddling. I'm thinking enter at Crane Lake (with a tow at least past the motor traffic or just into western Lac la Croix) then paddling the border and exit at Mudro Lake. (Looking at the options for THAT, I'd probably NOT take the Horse River option but continue on through the falls to Basswood and Jackfish Bay to Mudro -- fewer portages, more scenic.)

I searched the trip reports, but did not find much like this. Has anyone out there done this? What are the logistic options with a tow and a shuttle that far apart? Is it better to go with someone in Ely since that's where I'd end up or does that matter? (I may rent a solo canoe, or may paddle my SR 16 solo--not sure yet. I guess with my boat, there's no deadline on getting back.) How much time, allowing for rest, fishing, layovers? (I'm thinking 8-10 days.) Cost?

Any comments, suggestions, pointing in the right direction for this?

Thanks.

--Goose

Hey goose

Thinking of doing the same trip and just wondering how you figured out the logistics of the trip. thanks in advance for any intel!

Goose,

I'm doing a similar route in June except backwards, Moose to LLC. I am parking at Moose and having a buddy drive me back from Crane Lake. Staying a night before and after with Williams and Hall. I'm taking 10-12 days but I like to travel slowly and fish.

You will get some good advice here...way better than mine but if I'm running your route, this is the way I would go:

>Take the SR16 unless cost isn't an issue. (Shuttle and Tow will be $400-$500 I would think.)
>Talk to Anderson's about possible vehicle drop-off at exit point or park at exit and get them to pick you up. (Have used Anderson's and Zup's for the Crane Lake tow and both were great folks.)
>Stay night before at Pine Ridge Motel in Crane Lake.
>On top of your desired rate of travel, I would plan on one wind bound day, one rest day and two afternoons of early camp because of wind. (I'm guessing you're looking at 50 miles of paddling give or take.)

Shizzle: "Hey goose


Thinking of doing the same trip and just wondering how you figured out the logistics of the trip. thanks in advance for any intel!"

Hey Shizzle, A good distance tool is https://geodistance.com/
It can give you a rough distance for the trip, and help with daily travel so you will know where to stop and camp.
I generally use the average of paddling at 3 mph and portaging at 2 mph.

Shizzle: "Hey goose


Thinking of doing the same trip and just wondering how you figured out the logistics of the trip. thanks in advance for any intel!"

Not Goose, but I’ve done a trip like this twice. I prefer to not cover much of the same water twice in a trip, and this is a fun way to accomplish that.

Both times, I used an Ely area outfitter, woke up early for a van shuttle and dropped my vehicle off at Mudro (could also finish at Moose Lake and leave a car there), then continued the van shuttle to Crane Lake. Take the tow to LLC, then paddle back to your car at your own pace.

On trips like this, I much prefer ending at my own vehicle. Logistics up front, that way you can relax knowing they’re already taken care of while on your trip.