Taking my father, 8year old son, and 5 year old daughter to Quetico this year. All have been on trips before, this is my sons 4th trip, daughters 2nd trip and dads 8th trip. Last year we did a small loop through Carp, Emerald, and This man, back to Carp.

This year planning on Gunflint entry into the Q. Looking for good 4 night 5 day trip. Two options I thought about:

1. Base on Saganagons lake. Spend two nights one site, move to another site for two nights. Do this to break up trip and to not have daughter get too bored. I know we could do day trips each day but she would get bored with that.

2. Small loop through Saganagons, Silver Falls, Jasper and through Ottertrack. Would this be too tough, are we pushing ourselves too much? We would want one layover day.

Any thoughts or additional suggestions?

Many thanks.

A five year old is going to get bored no matter what you do, possible after 30 minutes depending on the child. I'd base camp and look for a good beach for swimming and such and hope it doesn't rain. Plan on spending a lot time out of the canoe. If it rains it could get ugly. Very iffy bringing a 5 year old, particularly a girl, unless the child is unique and excited about the trip and time away from home.

I agree with Bushwacker on picking a site and basecamping there. A good beach or swimming spot will do wonders for any kid.

Keep in mind that kids that age don't care about moving or staying put. It's all the same geographically to them. Do the things that are fun for them - swimming, fishing, napping, eating - and hopefully you'll have paddling partners for life. The good part is this won't be their first trip. They already know a little of what to expect.

It may be cool to see some sights during the day, but I wouldn't get all tied up over moving your camp.

My daughter went last year to Bwca so she has experience. Last year it was 3 nights this year 4 nights so that's why I wanted to move a little.

quote Jackfish: "I agree with Bushwacker on picking a site and basecamping there. A good beach or swimming spot will do wonders for any kid.

Keep in mind that kids that age don't care about moving or staying put. It's all the same geographically to them. Do the things that are fun for them - swimming, fishing, napping, eating - and hopefully you'll have paddling partners for life. The good part is this won't be their first trip. They already know a little of what to expect.

It may be cool to see some sights during the day, but I wouldn't get all tied up over moving your camp. "

Great point maybe the moving is more for me lol. Last year base camping made life very easy. Normally with other partners we move but basing with kids was easier.

quote moose664788: "

quote Jackfish: "I agree with Bushwacker on picking a site and basecamping there. A good beach or swimming spot will do wonders for any kid.

Keep in mind that kids that age don't care about moving or staying put. It's all the same geographically to them. Do the things that are fun for them - swimming, fishing, napping, eating - and hopefully you'll have paddling partners for life. The good part is this won't be their first trip. They already know a little of what to expect.

It may be cool to see some sights during the day, but I wouldn't get all tied up over moving your camp. "

Great point maybe the moving is more for me lol. Last year base camping made life very easy. Normally with other partners we move but basing with kids was easier. "

I've taken my family into both Sag (basecamped on Horseshoe I) staying on BWCA side obviously but also had great luck coming in from the north via BH to Cirrus. Another option is French into Pickerel and just find a site. Very low on the portage scale (Cirrus entry takes 2 portages, one 160r and one about 40r or so if I remember correctly) or a short portage over the French R if water is low ( haven't done this one so guessing).

Anyway, I agree with the other posts on the base camping approach with a family especially for the younger members. As much as I like to move as far in as I can, my family can tolerate at most 6 portages a day and would definitely prefer that to be 1 or 2 :) Have fun! Sounds like a great adventure whichever route you choose.