New Trip Report posted by OldGreyGoose

Trip Name: June, 2011 King of Quetico Trip.

Entry Point: Quetico

Click Here to View Trip Report

Excellent adventure and report OGG! I've been on that whole route from Camel south (except paddling down Ranger Bay to King's Point - but I've been at both ends of Ranger Bay). I haven't been on the part of the route north of Camel (or at least not since 1976). David and I are thinking of a trans-Quetico trip this year, if we can find time later in the summer. It's fun to see it written up.

A few thoughts I had when reading your report - I've never seen a portage in Quetico "improved" BWCA-style like the one you crossed early on - I wonder if this is a new trend. When I saw you camped on Metacryst, I was wondering what the site would be like, because my recollection was that nothing looked good from the shore - I guess that was right. It's sad to read about McNeice, we went through that lake in 2005 before the fire and it was really a gem. I think you didn't have a problem with the "alternative" arm of Boggy Portage because you continued toward Dell instead of toward Shade. The problem arises when you head for Shade and think you are on the Shade portage when you are really starting back up Boggy Portage again from the alternative end. It's also funny how different people react so differently to the same portage at different times. I remember the portage from Point to Nest as being the easiest 1/2-mile I'd even done in Quetico, and it sounds like it nearly did you guys end (probably because it was the end of a long day for you). Last, I'm also surprised Canoe Canada could fly in to King's Point. And I was wondering, were the people who were taking your canoe back on the plane when it came in, I don't think you mentioned them?

Anyway, those were just a few of the thoughts I had reading your report. Thanks!

Hail to the Kings of Quetico! Excellent trip report!! Very descriptive. Thanks for taking the time to share your story & photos.

Thought the pictures taken from the plane were really cool.

Wow - fabulous trip report - it sounds like the trip of a lifetime. I really enjoyed reading your report - and the photos were great! Thanks for putting in the time and effort to share your story.

quote Ho Ho: "A few thoughts I had when reading your report - I've never seen a portage in Quetico "improved" BWCA-style like the one you crossed early on - I wonder if this is a new trend. ... Last, I'm also surprised Canoe Canada could fly in to King's Point. And I was wondering, were the people who were taking your canoe back on the plane when it came in, I don't think you mentioned them?!"

HoHo, I hope it's not a trend . . . I think they should have let it be. CC had to get permission from the Park to land at KP. We stashed the canoe behind the old Ranger building for the next party heading north. The plane came down EMPTY though, so I guess they had no one booked for the week after ours. BTW, Jim said that there were only 3 other trips booked so far, and only 1 group from Canada. He was hoping to generate more Canadian interest; normally Canadians don't get to paddle from Basswood north.
--Goose

Gary,

Great read and a memorable trip. What priceless memories you have made with the son-in-law. Glad everything went well.

Old Hoosier

Incredible report and a more incredible journey OGG. You and Joe are indeed Kings of Quetico. Thanks you for the great effort it must have taken to put this report together.

great trip report and awesome pictures

Thanks for taking us along on your trip, Goose. A very nice narrative with excellent pictures - a nice eye for the composition. I enjoyed it about as much as one can without actually being there.

Thanks for all the input . . . I just wanted to mention that this trip would not have been possible for me -- at 67 -- without the hard work of Joe, my son-in-law. Joe puts up with me, does more than his share of the work, and I could not ask for a better paddling/portaging partner. Joe also is responsible for many of this year's trip pictures. Thank you Joe! --Goose

Excellent report and pics, glad you had a great trip.