BWCA Barens River system Boundary Waters Group Forum: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park
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   Group Forum: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park
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KerryG
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02/27/2016 10:03AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
For the past four years we have done month long WCPP trips in August. This year we’re thinking of something a bit different. We’ve been considering going north of the park and perhaps doing a section of the Barens river system. We are not white water paddlers so what we’re looking for is a reasonably flat stretch where we can portage when and if necessary. We’re not looking for an exceptionally long trip – if we’re out for around 27 or 28 days we wouldn’t want to be travelling more than 10 of those. I want to be doing a lot of photography and fishing so we’re in no hurry to cover territory. I talked briefly to Harlan about a trip like this last summer but he has been glacially slow in getting back to me and I’d like to begin planning. So I’m wondering if anyone out there has any experience with what I suppose to be the eastern section (?) of the Barens and could offer any advice, information, GPS tracking, whatever that might help us in going forward with our planning. Ideally we'd like to fly in and maybe end up where we could be shuttled back to Red Lake either by boat or truck. Whatever input you may have would be most appreciated.
 
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02/27/2016 10:21AM  
my daughters friend did the berens river a couple years ago. it is known as a whitewater river. no roads any where near here. have you considered the bloodvein?
 
KerryG
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02/27/2016 10:23AM  
I realize that the Barens is mostly thought of as a white water river but it seems to me that there is a lot of water between, say Stout Lake and down towards Red Lake, which might be navigable and make for an interesting trip. Don't know, just wondering if anyone else does.
I'm less interested in the flat water sections of the Bloodvein.
 
Alan Gage
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02/27/2016 10:31PM  
I'm planning to do the Berens this summer/fall. Most information you find on the river is the lower stretch from Family Lake to Lake Winnipeg. The upper Berens sounds like it contains a lot less whitewater. You can access the river at Berens Lake by a gravel road that leaves north out of Red Lake. From what little I've been able to find out the road is in good shape and can be traveled with a front wheel drive car. Sounds like the trip from Berens Lake to Family Lake takes about 8 days. There are tons of other lakes and rivers that would allow you to alter your route if you wanted to take more time.

The community of Little Grand Rapids is on Family Lake and they have regularly scheduled flights in and out (only way in/out other than paddle during summer). I believe there are two main airlines that service LGR. When I looked at the schedule they made the rounds (Bloodvein Village to Berens Village to Little Grand Rapids etc) but I can't remember if they popped over to Red Lake or not. I don't know how they handle loads like canoes but if you could catch a regularly scheduled flight back to Red Lake you'd probably save a bunch of money.

I did the Bloodvein last year and found it very enjoyable. I think there are more rapids on the Bloodvein than the Berens but there are established portages around all the whitewater. Most of them are short and easy carries although some are longer or more difficult (steep up/down). The way I remember was the farther you get down the Bloodvein the more frequently you find sets of rapids. Paddling down to Stonehouse Lake and flying back would probably fit your 10 days paddling schedule about right.

Ok, I just re-read your original post and see you're talking about flying in and paddling out. One idea would be to fly into Family Lake and head south from there starting on the Dogskin River. You'd be roughly following the Ontario/Manitoba border. You could paddle south to either the Bloodvein or Gammon Rivers and then cut back through WCPP to any of the access points you wanted.

The Sasaginnigak map from Real Berard shows this route (among others). If you get that map you might as well pick up the Little Grand Rapids and Kautunigan maps by him as well. They cover other routes in the vicinity that might be of interest when planning this or future trips, and they're cheap.

You can also find information on the Berens River over at myccr.com including some info on the upper section.

Alan
 
KerryG
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02/28/2016 03:59PM  
Thanks Alan for taking the time to make such an extensive reply, much appreciated.
I did get a chance to speak with Harlan yesterday and he's suggesting flying into Wavell Lake, which is northeast of Red Lake. From there we could go north into Upper Goose Lake and then west to Berens Lake and then work our way down to Red Lake. According to Harlan this is pretty much a lazy man's route - mostly river paddling and not much need to portage. I haven't got all the details yet but I'm looking at Google Maps and it is amazing how navigable that whole area north east of the park seems to be. Harlan has run a few groups through there and says we should have no trouble making a 10 - 12 day route with plenty of time for fishing and photography. I plan to work out the details over the next two or three weeks. Sounds like just what the doctor ordered.
 
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