Each year I like to go on a solo camping trip to unwind and remove myself from the daily grind. Last Year I went to the Menominee river. This year, I decided to hit the BWCA going in at EP34. My thought is to head west to Bald Eagle for a few days and then a few at the base of the Kawishiwi Triangle before heading back out where I came in. I still have a few things to figure out. Oh, and I go in on May 24th and out Saturday May 30th.

I have not decided on a tent or hammock. Can anyone comment on the availability of good hammock sites? How about Quadga? Any trees left to hang on?

How is the fishing on the Isabella river? Is it worth camping on the river to be close to some good fishing?



Can anyone point out the rapids that can be run? If I am going solo, should I not even chance it or are they merely a ripple when the water is up?

Thanks

Last year I stayed on Quadga and used a hammock on the North sight. I've done the route between Little Gabbro to the Island River and only remember one runnable rapids but don't remember where it was. Probably not a good idea that time of year anyway. I did well fishing Quadga by my standards which are pretty low. Never fished the river but I imagine below any rapids would be the spots.

I've rigged some funny stuff to allow for a hammock, as limited as my hanging experience is...

One site I tied some brush back to allow for space. Another, we tied my brothers anchor tree to another tree to prevent the first from sagging...

To sleep on the ground....ugghhhhh

Does anyone know if there is a max. Distance from say the fire grate that you can string a hammock or pitch a tent?

unless you are a skilled whitewater paddler i would not advise running rapids on a solo trip. you're screwed if you pin the canoe.

quote jwartman59: "unless you are a skilled whitewater paddler i would not advise running rapids on a solo trip. you're screwed if you pin the canoe."

I am seasoned from years of whitewater yaking. But I still would not run them alone. I was hoping to hear which ones were going to be hidden if the water is still up from the spring thaw.

quote labman: "Can anyone point out the rapids that can be run? If I am going solo, should I not even chance it or are they merely a ripple when the water is up?
"

Portages are there for a reason. If you are going to try to run the rapids to skip a portage, you need to thoroughly check the full length of the rapids as there is normally many strainers that are not always visible at the entrance of the portage. Pinning a canoe can be all to easy and when you are 30 miles in the middle of nowhere surrounded by water, you could be stuck for a while and pay a hefty price for extraction, and removal of the damaged boat. I ran a couple rapids on my last solo trip, but made darn sure it was within my abilities and extremely low risk.
Be safe out there.

quote nlong: "

quote labman: "Can anyone point out the rapids that can be run? If I am going solo, should I not even chance it or are they merely a ripple when the water is up?
"

Portages are there for a reason. If you are going to try to run the rapids to skip a portage, you need to thoroughly check the full length of the rapids as there is normally many strainers that are not always visible at the entrance of the portage. Pinning a canoe can be all to easy and when you are 30 miles in the middle of nowhere surrounded by water, you could be stuck for a while and pay a hefty price for extraction, and removal of the damaged boat. I ran a couple rapids on my last solo trip, but made darn sure it was within my abilities and extremely low risk.
Be safe out there."

LOUD AND CLEAR. Thank you folks. I Hope to run into a few soloists while on my journey.