Has anyone been to the Leano access point yet this year? I'm planning a Leano entry in a couple of weeks. Just wondering how the road is so far this season. I am aware of the lack of maintenance and that a high clearance vehicle is recommended. Just want to make sure it hasn't deteriorated significantly.

Give Claire a call at the Woodland Caribou PP office-she may have an update on the road to Leano condition.

The other option is to contact Harlan at Red Lake Outfitters and arrange for a shuttle to take you out and pick you up.

I have driven the road twice the last time in 2013 and had no difficulties, but I have suffered with some signifcant wear and tear on the vehicle I used. Last year we decided to come out at Johnson to shorten the drive.

The road is not terrible from Red Lake until you reach Onnie-it still is rugged and loose gravel with some ups and downs and curves and potholes, but it is fine to drive even in a car until Onnie.

After Onnie the road deteriorates and in addition to the road being rougher with more pot holes and washouts they took out the culverts between Onnie and Leano a couple of years ago and just let the streams and creeks flow right over the road. In those places there are steep downhills and uphills to reach the bottom where the water flows across the road. If there has been recent rain some of the creeks could be 6-12" deep and could be more if the rain has been significant.

If you feel your vehicle is in good shape and has high ground clearence it can be done but getting stuck, broken down or having a flat will delay your trip. Be sure to have a sat phone if you need any help along the road due to breakdown.

If you look at the potential delay and think about the possible wear and tear and damage to your vehicle all of a sudden a shuttle through Harlan at Red Lake appears cheap.

The key to using this road is common sense, and the first bit of common sense is to travel the appropriate speed, which is likely half the speed the yahoo in the 4 wheel drive pickup is doing on his way to the fish camp. But at the same time, do not travel so slow that you need to step on the gas to make it up hills. If you idle along rarely pushing down more on the accelerator and rarely using the brakes you are going the correct speed. There are a number of reasons for this, visibility being the main one, and the fact that you cannot stop as quickly on this road as you can on pavement being another.

Really, if you are capable of wilderness travel in a canoe, you should be capable of traveling this road in a vehicle.

Yes, give yourself some time. The faster you go the more wear and tear. It's not that terrible.

I agree it can be done if you take your time. I have done it twice and made it both times. Just be sure to be prepared in case something does happen.

If you don't want to risk the breakdown and delayed entry or you don't want to expose your vehicle to the road, then a shuttle is a nice option to have.

The nice thing about the shuttle is you can relax and focus on the trip... Let the driver worry about the road. You can also ask a few more questions. On the way back you can enjoy your beer.