It has been a crazy 1.5 years since my first (and only) WCPP trip. I can truly say that the trip changed my life, and for the better. I took the trip knowing full well that it would probably be my last 'big adventure' for several years.

I knew it would be good, I didn't know how bad I would get the bug!

Really, just looking for some buzz here so I can live vicariously. I especially love the planning and prep. Who's going? Where ya going? What are ya taking? What do ya hope to see/do?

We've taken two 2-week trips to WCPP, flying by float plane all the way across the park from Red Lake to put in at the west and northwest areas of the park. Then we paddle east toward Red Lake. Artery Lake to Simeon Creek to Wanda Lake a couple of years ago was the latest journey. Wow! We saw deer ("not possible, they aren't this far north!") four young antlerless caribou swimming to our island campsite on Simeon Lake, moose from the plane, and lots of beautiful scenery. The fishing was great. Going in September up Simeon Creek and south of Ugly Lake to Wanda were rock gardens at best. You go up drying creeks and up over the divide into the next river valley. Dry time of year for that. Three 58 year old guys in one canoe were pushed to the limit but we wouldn't have it any other way. Those remote areas are the best!!! We heard a pack of 10 or more wolves howling off and on around midnight one night. Despite knowing they don't attack humans, it's still a scare, a thrill, and an adventure. Next day, less than a mile away, we found their paw prints on the beach of Wanda Lake. Not seeing anyone else for most of the trip was wonderful.

I had a fair amount of video from my last trip with good intentions of doing a video trip report but I just haven't found the time or motivation. I haven't even gone back and really looked at it since after the trip. Here is an unedited clip from Jigsaw Lake. It was the Summer Solstice on day 8 of the trip. There were a few thunder poppers that went to the south of me and it was a nice evening...mid 60s. The loons were singing, chickadees chirping and there was a pair of Bluebills doing a mating chase, oblivious to my presence. One time they flew within feet of me as if I was a tree. I had caught one walleye from shore but did not feel like taking the canoe out fishing. I was just living in the moment. Crisp dry firewood was abundant so I had a fire. It has been said that sometimes you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory. This was one of those times. This video could use some editing and you may need to crank the audio to hear the sounds.

Day 8, Summer Solstice

I will try upload a few more unedited clips.

Thanks for the video hobbydog-sure helped me get through this wintery day.

I am planning on going to WCPP this fall probably late September or so but still have to finalize the group and the route. Knowing I am going is good enough for now.

Hopefully this trip we see a Caribou and not just their droppings. Time will tell.

Last summer was our fourth consecutive trip to WCPP. Our trips have never been shorter than 3 weeks and last year it was 27 days - incredible! We finally did get to see some caribou, on two occasions in fact, so that's one off the bucket list. We plan to head back again for August 2016. Not sure what our route will be. Harlan has talked to us about trying some lake and river routes just north of the park so we'll be looking into that. Once the New Year sets in I start getting the itch!

This morning we are on Aegean Lake. What a glorious morning to wake up to. Sunrise is at 5 AM so you need to be an early bird to experience it.

5 AM sunrise

We start the day with a short paddle over to the cave on the SW side of Aegean. With the early morning sun it is a perfect time to explore and the reflections as you approach the cave are almost magical.

Paddle to the Cave


After leaving the cave we paddle across the lake to see the quartz outcropping and stretch the legs.



The sun is starting to warm things up. Time to drop a line and see if we can catch a laker. It doesn't take long and I have a nice one on.

Nice Laker

We got a lot of miles to go today and lots to see so lets head for the portage to South Aegean.

Paddling in Paradise

The portage to South Aegean is short and easy. It looks like it has seen little use this year. It is day 10 and I have not seen another canoe.

The Portage

It is time to put the cameras down and do some paddling. South Aegean is a beautiful lake. I am going to have to come back and spend some time here.

I just portaged into a no name lake on my way to Talon Lake. A real gem for a no name lake. If you have some time and would like to work up a little sweat come along. It is pretty typical of a WCPP portage.

375 meters of portage

I am greeted by some really colorful palisades. on the other side. Next time I am here I will explore this lake.




It has been a long day and it really warmed up as the day went on. I had a nice swim and now it is time to recap the days highlights.


Another day in WCPP

You guys are the best!

It's been a heck of a week, and today my furnace crapped out, so i've enjoyed the replies.

Hobbydog, South Agean is a beautiful lake. Paddling through the island on the north end... Confusing though... The map and I disagree on what is a "rock" and what is an "island".

Some incredible bays. We explored a couple by accident, and a couple on purpose.

We camped on a point just west of the pictographs... Maybe 100 yards away. The island across was so big, I had to keep reminding myself we were on a lake, and not the confluence of 2 rivers.

We took the portage out just NE of our campsite and entered Paull on the NW corner. Several beautiful campsites there. Definately on the list for next time I pass that way.

Lot of good memories on Aegean Lake area. Pretty cool Bill. Hope to get up there by the end of the summer. Probably north more again. I very much enjoy the park. I've done the minjim three times... Each time had different challenges.

I was going to go in the west side with a past canoe partner and do the bulging lake area. But after talking to Marten yesterday, I may go back to the northern areas coming in from the west. I'm smelling a good paddle year! I think I van talk my buddy onto it. Walleye's Jerry... Walleye's!

quote nctry: "I was going to go in the west side with a past canoe partner and do the bulging lake area. But after talking to Marten yesterday, I may go back to the northern areas coming in from the west. I'm smelling a good paddle year! I think I van talk my buddy onto it. Walleye's Jerry... Walleye's!"

I will likely be doing a trip around the 1st of Sept. going in from the west side but not sure of a route yet. One thought was to go up the west side to Artery Lake and then find my way back. Another would be to drop down and explore the the southern edge....check out Trident Lake, maybe go out the Jan Lake EP and come back in the Bird River EP. I should have 2 weeks to play with so could take lots of different routes.

I had a wonderful time in WCPP last August. A friend and I traveled from Leano to Haven and then flew back to Red Lake. I don't know when I can go again, but we had a blast and have lots of great memories. Thanks to all for your help and trip reports that helped me to dream.
Trip report: WCPP 2015 Leano to Haven

Dang! I started watching more of Martens videos. And pulling out my maps it's like... I'm ready to go! Then I look outside and I say... I'll wait. :) But the dehydrator is roaring away. I'll be ready!

I've never been the west side but it was the first route that I considered. I've been into WCPP only twice but have loved the adventure each time.

At the moment, I'm looking at routes from Onnie into Aegean and maybe back out Leano. However, it's so early in the year, that plan will probably change a couple of times before I settle on something.

My previous trips were a fly-in to Carrol and out the Gammon and then to the Bloodvein via Lund. It's a big park and lots of waterways to cover!

It is amazing park!So much to see and so few paddlers have gotten it off their bucket list. It seems it does not get scratched off the list after the first adventure up there. Not sure how many trips for me but my running total is one year of camping nights in WCCP. I am still excited about next season. Looks like Walkingstick will be on the route.

Think I need to check n with Harlan... I was just remembering how well he treated us. He could have made more money off of us on the shuttle just by having us pay our agreed price, but he cut the fee because there were multiple groups. I appreciated it, I hope he still does it, but he should be a little less generous with it. Harlan is such an asset, his knowledge alone is reason for us all to want him to make a good living up there. His great practices as a business owner are another... He deserves it.

Yeah Marten, it is an incredible place, but my exposure is limited. I wish I had the time and money to do multiple trips up there. There were a few places I wanted to explore much deeper, and yet there is so much park unseen.

quote HighnDry: "I've never been the west side but it was the first route that I considered. I've been into WCPP only twice but have loved the adventure each time.

Gotta say, the west side of the park is gorgeous. If you're planning a trip try and spend some time in Broken Arrow and Haggart - very rugged, sensational country.

Thanks for the memory's Hobbydog, had to cancel last years trip so I'm going nuts waiting for 2016.

quote scot320: "Thanks for the memory's Hobbydog, had to cancel last years trip so I'm going nuts waiting for 2016. "

I had to cancel out in 2014 so it made the 2015 trip that much better. Make 2016 a long one.

Paddling down Larus Creek had it's rewards. Picture by Magicpaddler. Always bring a photographer with when you suck at taking pictures. :)

Uh oh, dialing in on a good WCPP trip. My have to put off the house another year!! A week and a half after getting off blood thinners my severe headaches are lightening up. Over six months of constant migraine type headaches have taken a toll. I'm ready to be me again. Move over WCPP moose! April 1st and snowing... I'm ready for spring. ECPizza, are you getting the bug to go back?

Yeah, I am!

Looks like this year I will get a BWCA trip with my new bro in law and my nephew. I am hoping to take out a solo canoe for the first time. It also looks like we are going to get a puppy soon. I plan to get the pup used to hiking and camping with me.

I let last summer pass me by with only two wilderness days, and about 8 total days sleeping outside. I will not let that happen this summer. But alas, no WCPP this summer. A) because it would be stupid of me to solo with no practice, B) it will be hard to justify the expense (with only PT employment right now), and C) with 2 young uns, that's a lot to ask of the Mrs.

So, while I am aching to go back, I am gratefull for the home waters. I am planning a whole different kind of trip this summer than any I've done before. More experience and fewer challenges, and hoping for an early berry season.

quote ECpizza: "Yeah, I am!


Looks like this year I will get a BWCA trip with my new bro in law and my nephew. I am hoping to take out a solo canoe for the first time. It also looks like we are going to get a puppy soon. I plan to get the pup used to hiking and camping with me.


I let last summer pass me by with only two wilderness days, and about 8 total days sleeping outside. I will not let that happen this summer. But alas, no WCPP this summer. A) because it would be stupid of me to solo with no practice, B) it will be hard to justify the expense (with only PT employment right now), and C) with 2 young uns, that's a lot to ask of the Mrs.


So, while I am aching to go back, I am gratefull for the home waters. I am planning a whole different kind of trip this summer than any I've done before. More experience and fewer challenges, and hoping for an early berry season."

Sorry that we won't see you out there this season. I've had to make those same calculations from time to time as well :) I'll be heading into that Leano-Aegeans-and-back-loop. Looks like some beautiful country. Lots of planning to do between now and June 10.