BWCA Lac La Croix Ranger Station - Chicagoland Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
   Quetico Forum
      Lac La Croix Ranger Station - Chicagoland     
 Forum Sponsor

Author

Text

Jdiddy18
member (12)member
  
06/02/2015 06:06PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Hello, Quetico Paddlers!

Tis the season for trip planning!!! My husband and I are working on planning a trip from the Chicagoland area to Lac La Croix Ranger Station. We hope to head into Darky and Argo for a 7 day trip. This is our first trip to the west side of the park. We have gone in through Prairie Portage and Cache Bay many times and we are up for a new adventure and as a bonus-add another Ranger Station patch into our collection.

Does anyone have advice on logistically how to go in through Lac La Croix? We were thinking of driving to access this Ranger Station and driving doesn't seem to be the norm. Any suggestions or past experiences would be welcome! Thank you and happy paddling!!
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next
06/02/2015 06:57PM  
I always have zupps tow me from Crane Lake to my drop off point. They stop at customs if you need, and will take you to the permit station. Not cheap, but pretty much hassle free. Really comes in handy if LLC is rolling.
Jdiddy18
member (12)member
  
06/02/2015 07:28PM  
Thanks, Walllee! That is great advice. We will checkout that option.
06/02/2015 08:58PM  
Driving is cheaper but takes longer. The tows on LLC ain't cheap.
06/02/2015 09:25PM  
Driving into the station didn't seem like a big deal to my group a few years ago. As I recall from crossing the border at Fort Francis it was maybe a couple of hours of driving including the long drive into the station on the gravel road to the reservation which was done at about 45 mph.
PineKnot
distinguished member(2021)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/03/2015 04:54AM  
quote deerfoot: "Driving into the station didn't seem like a big deal to my group a few years ago. As I recall from crossing the border at Fort Francis it was maybe a couple of hours of driving including the long drive into the station on the gravel road to the reservation which was done at about 45 mph."


So where did you park your vehicle? Anything change since you went that route? Thx.
06/03/2015 06:13AM  
quote PineKnot: "
quote deerfoot: "Driving into the station didn't seem like a big deal to my group a few years ago. As I recall from crossing the border at Fort Francis it was maybe a couple of hours of driving including the long drive into the station on the gravel road to the reservation which was done at about 45 mph."



So where did you park your vehicle? Anything change since you went that route? Thx."


Sorry to jump in, but I think there is a parking lot fenced in near the Ranger station. When I was back using the outhouse I saw a group drive in. I think the Rangers lock your vehicle in--then you are at the mercy of making sure a Ranger is around when you come out so you can get your vehicle out.

It is still quite a paddle to some of the Quetico entries if I remember right but much closer than starting at Crane.

If you can afford a tow, it is actually fun and quicker.

T
billconner
distinguished member(8608)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
06/03/2015 07:25AM  
Paddling, I think I'd go from EP14 rather than Crane. Would be one night in BWCA but I'd think you'd be at ranger station mid morning? Just a different idea.
bojibob
distinguished member(3144)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/03/2015 08:16AM  
I read a trip report here about someone leaving their car in the "pen" at LLC. When they got done with the trip and got to the Ranger station around mid afternoon the Rangers were already gone for the day and they had to wait until the next morning to get the lot unlocked and retrieve the vehicle. I will search for the report and add the link here

If you do that method be sure you can coordinate when you need your car.

I have also done the Zups tow and I always felt anally invaded by the price.

I found the report

Quetico Trip Report
06/04/2015 08:45PM  
quote PineKnot: "
quote deerfoot: "Driving into the station didn't seem like a big deal to my group a few years ago. As I recall from crossing the border at Fort Francis it was maybe a couple of hours of driving including the long drive into the station on the gravel road to the reservation which was done at about 45 mph."



So where did you park your vehicle? Anything change since you went that route? Thx."

We parked in the fenced in lot at the ranger station. Oddly, while it appeared locked the padlock on the chain was not snapped shut so putting the cars in the lot was easy. But we went in a few days before the ranger station was open. When we exited a week later it was staffed but only during daylight hours. So you probably would want make sure you returned during open hours.
carmike
distinguished member(1721)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/09/2015 09:47PM  
I was just checking my map, and it looks like the road ends far from the ranger station itself. Is this the case? Just a bit unsure of how this would work if I ended up going down there.
billconner
distinguished member(8608)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
06/10/2015 06:38AM  
I see that on Google maps but turn on satellite and it seems pretty clear it doesn't really end.
06/10/2015 09:08AM  
He's right, the road does go all the way to the station. The last time I was there I had to Waite a hour before anybody showed up. This was after they were supposed to be open, and it was in the prime of the season.just prepare to be flexible in this regard.
carmike
distinguished member(1721)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/10/2015 10:25AM  
Thanks, all. Ugh, so many choices. I'd really like to get to that area in the southwest of the park, but without an RABC, I was condemned--oh, the humanity!--to stick to the northerly reaches. Not anymore! :)
06/10/2015 01:07PM  
I second the above comments. The road in passes thru the First Nations rez and ends at the fenced-in parking enclosure which is very near the ranger station. When I was there a few years ago the ranger we dealt with was a First Nations lady from the reservation.
mr.barley
distinguished member(7231)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
06/10/2015 10:24PM  
I'm in the Crane Lake tow crowd. It's a fun ride and you're where you want to be fast. Go through customs at Sand Point rather than 1st n
Nation.
billconner
distinguished member(8608)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
06/11/2015 06:45AM  
If you drove to LLC ranger station wouldn't you go through customs at Fort Frances?
06/11/2015 10:12AM  
quote billconner: "If you drove to LLC ranger station wouldn't you go through customs at Fort Frances?"


That is what was said above...
billconner
distinguished member(8608)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
06/11/2015 11:51AM  
quote Doughboy12: "
quote billconner: "If you drove to LLC ranger station wouldn't you go through customs at Fort Frances?"



That is what was said above..."


Sorry - I saw "I'm in the Crane Lake tow crowd. It's a fun ride and you're where you want to be fast. Go through customs at Sand Point rather than 1st Nation." and thought it meant go through customs at 1st Nation.
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next
Quetico Sponsor:
Seagull Outfitters