When and where to?

Not this year. Lake Superior and the Yukon.

Plans? I always have plans, the question is time. Usually only have time for one major trip but this year is looking like I may be able to pull off two or even three. Flindt River in August if I have the time when it comes up. That's the nice thing about solo, plan for everything, if it happens, great, if not nobody is put out. Plans can change quickly.

We've been talking about Wabakimi & gathering info since last fall. Now I'm in the middle of a job change & I'm certain I won't be able to go this summer, & next might be slated for a big trip across the pond. Sad face.

Nope. WCPP is set for this year. I am bringing my 21 yr old daughter on her first wilderness trip. We are going on the Leano-MexHat-Bunny loop. Shorter trip with more layover time in a park that is well groomed for lesser experienced folks.

I still have the northeast part of Wab on my mind though. Maybe a fly-in/out trip in the next few years.

Sad face??? For a trip to Europe?? Oh pish! :)

quote jcavenagh: "Sad face??? For a trip to Europe?? Oh pish! :)"

Ha! The sad face is for work interfering with plans to go this summer, which probably pushes the Wabikimi trip into '14. I'd never be sad to head to Europe, but doing two big trips in one summer probably won't happen.

Yeah, don't I wish I could do two trips in a summer. This year I do get two trips, but one was driving down to FL for spring break with my wife and boy. Not bad, had a lot of fun, but...not the woods.

quote jcavenagh: "Nope. WCPP is set for this year. I am bringing my 21 yr old daughter on her first wilderness trip. We are going on the Leano-MexHat-Bunny loop. Shorter trip with more layover time in a park that is well groomed for lesser experienced folks.


I still have the northeast part of Wab on my mind though. Maybe a fly-in/out trip in the next few years."

Sounds like a great trip. I'll have to look it up as I'm not familiar with the lakes in WCPP. What kind of distance are you covering?

Somewhere around 40-45 miles. We have a layover every other day.

anyone route planning Wabakimi should be monitoring water levels again this season. the drop and pool boreal is a beast in real low water.


regarding Woodland Caribou, Mexican Hat is both a destination and crossroads lake, it can be full, with all campsites occupied, a BWCA type experience. best to have a contingency plan.

quote jdrocks: "anyone route planning Wabakimi should be monitoring water levels again this season. the drop and pool boreal is a beast in real low water.

Regarding Woodland Caribou, Mexican Hat is both a destination and crossroads lake, it can be full, with all campsites occupied, a BWCA type experience. best to have a contingency plan."

Last year the trip to Mexican Hat had a number of extra portages and pullovers due to the low water, if the water level on Mexican Hat had been 6 inches lower the north side of the Lake would have been a walk thru muck, I was just barely able to paddle thru in a solo canoe, an tandem would likely have had to walk.

Might want to take a look at turning south at Jake to Paull, both those lakes are very scenic with numerous places to camp and they are long and narrow (few portages!)

Thanks for the tips. We are working with Harlan and we likely will adjust our route as needed in July.

We had surprisingly low water last August in Wabakimi. Between Smoothrock and Spring there was essentially no flow. We could walk along the rocks and see the water down between them, but there was no rapids. Our put in at the east end of Spring was tricky and muddy. Along our whole route the water level was obviously at least 3 feet below that of average.

Here is a photo of the very eastern inlet of Spring Lake after several hours of rainfall.

Was there, for the first time, in 2011. Great experience. Will be in Quetico in June, and maybe in September, of this year. I think I would like to go back to Wabakimi in 2013.

Hi, Dave! How's things?

Hey Jim!

Doing great. Off to Quetico in a few days, with my daughter on our annual trip. Maybe back to Quetico in early September and always looking for the next new adventure. Hope all is well with you and your family. Tell the guys I said "HI".