My husband and I had a bonfire this past weekend and were talking about 2017 plans. I was under the impression he wanted to head back to Mudro and fish there, but alas, he'd like to do a small weekend trip there on a random weekend through Mudro/Sandpit/tinCan Mike vs. our - "regular trip". For our "real trip" as he calls it - he still wants to do something awesome. Like to to the Quetico. My plans were for 2018, but hmmm... why not 2017.... I hope to talk to some of you at Wingnight on Saturday.

Ideas are still on the horizon about Baker Lake to S. Temperence, Sawbill thru the Fire lakes, and Kawishiwi to Malberg as top contenders for our next trip in June. Yet I keep getting romanticized by many of you to head to the Q.

For those of you who "know" us...
- we like smaller lakes rather than larger ones. Fourtown and Horse are about the biggest we "prefer" though if a lake has lots of good bays we're happy to hang out there too. Where would you head off to? Instantly I think of the man chain.

-would you go to the Q for the first time with or without the kiddo? I know portages are not as maintained, but we both agreed that this triangle is our key to happiness: 1. Relaxation, 2. Fishing, 3. Solitude. Yes. I realize not all portages are going to be happy go lucky as we experienced on our last trip to Horseshoe. We have gone in through Mudro/Fourtown with little miss, and the Shell portage, and my husband agreed, even if he has to carry her on the portage... as long as the other two tiers are happy - he is happy. or - at least one tier has to be happy.... We both kind of agreed, if its the only/main trip, we'd rather take our gal with.

- I think at this point - for our first go-round anyways... we'd like to enter through either PP, LLC, or Cache bay. I am definitely NOT interested in the Falls chain on this first trip after reading the spring trip of the BWJ. If we are looking for at least the tiers of Solitude and fishing - do we have to enter through Beaverhouse or Dawson to have that kind of trip?

- We both agreed - we don't need Stu! Lets do this! (Unless any of you want to guide our trip... haha)

Lets say we stay 4-5 nights and 5-6 days. What kind of trip would you recommend to have an outstanding trip into the Q? To MAKE US want to come back and back again! I mean - going to the BWCA... is a $45 investment. The Q - try $250.

Thanks everyone. If you know me even a little - I'm a ridiculous planner, and will want to know every small detail about this trip. I have a fairly decent grasp on the BWCA but the Q is really uncharted territory, which could prove to be a great deal of fun this next winter season! I appreciate all and any of your tips.

Jackfish sent me some links on basic regs, and fishing requirements already.

We just did the B chain loop this year in Quetico and next year are planning to go in thru Beaverhouse and do the Geezer route. Look for an article about it in the BWJs.

Quetico is really not that bad. I have taken two classes in trail building and maintenance over the years and actually the portages are not that bad. I've seen worse hiking trails in some state parks. There are lots of great lakes and routes up there and a lot fewer people, which is nice. We went for three days without seeing anyone. Most of the people we saw were on the first two lakes on the way in and the way back out on our trip. Total people seen in seven days and six nights - 44.

There is a lot of information about the Man Chain on this site. I've been there twice, both times through Prairie Portage. The lakes to the Man Chain – Birch & Carp – won't provide much solitude, but you can easily pass through them in one day if you wish. Carp Lake has base campers on it, but because it is a big lake with a convoluted shoreline, you may have more solitude relative to what can be had in the BWCA. Birch Lake can be a canoe highway, depending on the day. You'll see fewer and fewer people as you get closer to Other Man. Having said that, however, you will find relative solitude on all of these lakes.

You can get into the Man lakes via Carp, Sheridan, or Emerald. The portage between Sheridan and That Man has some sloping granite slabs that can make portaging rather tricky. The portage from Emerald to That Man via High Man starts up the face of a cliff, so you may want to avoid this route with your young daughter.

There is good fishing on all of the lakes.

quote OldFingers57: "We just did the B chain loop this year in Quetico and next year are planning to go in thru Beaverhouse and do the Geezer route. Look for an article about it in the BWJs.

Quetico is really not that bad. I have taken two classes in trail building and maintenance over the years and actually the portages are not that bad. I've seen worse hiking trails in some state parks. There are lots of great lakes and routes up there and a lot fewer people, which is nice. We went for three days without seeing anyone. Most of the people we saw were on the first two lakes on the way in and the way back out on our trip. Total people seen in seven days and six nights - 44."

Actually 90 percent of the portages in Quetico are in good shape and easily passable. The other 10% make you sweat a little.

Having recently returned with my friend Sunnybear after a delightful first trip into the Q out of Beaverhouse (Geezer route? Ouch!) I can honestly say that the challenges were the same or even softer than encountered in the BWCA. Less undergrowth seemed to present limited "creep" on all of the portages we experienced. That said, the Q is so much more than the BWCA, any minor challenge would be worth the extra effort. So impressed by the difference, I have convinced my wife, a much less primitive camper than I, to join me on an adventure when school lets out early next summer.

Whats better? The camp sites are not sites...the 4 and 5 stars are giant spaces with many tent opportunities and no designated and worn track back to the biff. Wonderful rock outcrops, magnificent fireplaces, plenty of firewood, beaches, easy to find portages, bigger trees and an ambiance that will bring me back again and again as I expand my horizon into Canada. I'm a small water guy too, but never felt uncomfortable on any of the large lakes we were on as we snuck along the shoreline when concerns arose. Furthermore, the bigger lakes provide a different landscape as continuous wave and stronger wind action has shaped a slightly different local terrain and I really liked that.

Mac

Thanks for your insight Mac! I was talking to Kiporby last night among others who provided amazing advice in chat. I have all of your links saved!

After realizing the LLC tow alone is in the HUNDREDS -

I'm very intrigued by the idea of a Saganagons basecamp. I hear its fairly easy to get to.... relaxing once your there... a large lake, with a small feel... and Silver Falls which a.) terrifies me, and b.) makes me excited to see gorgeous scenery.

If we're feeling ambitious we'll head for This Man or That man lakes, or maybe the Jasper/Ottertrack route, or even just a simple day trip up to the falls chain. I think I'll leave it up to chance this time, and see where the wind blows us, instead of being overly tied into firm plans.

That's one thing I've learned in this life... the plans I have, are not always the plans I see played out in real life. And that is okay!

SO! With a possible June Saganagons basecamp (or otherwise) trip.... what kinds of tips do you guys have?

I know this sounds rude - but if we did basecamp - would you dig a deeper cathole to kind of... use throughout the week... or dig more shallow graves for your.... business?

Secondly - and perhaps I'll find out either in chat tonight/tomorrow, or at Wingnight... but is there a RESERVATION DATE like there is in the BWCA? (Last Wed of January?)

quote MNLindsey80: "I know this sounds rude - but if we did basecamp - would you dig a deeper cathole to kind of... use throughout the week... or dig more shallow graves for your.... business?

Secondly - and perhaps I'll find out either in chat tonight/tomorrow, or at Wingnight... but is there a RESERVATION DATE like there is in the BWCA? (Last Wed of January?) "

Two answers and a statement:

1. Regarding the cathole... you'll find very quickly there are few opportunities to dig much deeper than 6" or so. Any plans to dig a hole deep enough to use all week will be gone shortly after you start digging.

2. Reservations for Q can be made a MAXIMUM of five months in advance of your entry date. For example, if you want to enter Q on June 15th, the first day that you can make a reservation is January 15th. If you try to make a reservation on January 14th, the reservation website won't allow it. Of course, you can make a reservation any time you want after the date that's five months in advance of your desired entry date.

My comment: I've been on Saganagons one time. It was a paddle through after we'd gotten out of the Falls Chain and headed southwesterly toward the Man Chain. It's a beautiful lake with lots of islands and character. While we were paddling through, we went past two canoes with four guys fishing. Three out of the four guys had fish on as we passed them. Three out of four fishing rods bent over. That has left an image in my mind since that day. :)

My guess is you'll love Saganagons.

Per the cathole - I like to dig a large hole but only use for dumping dish water and maybe brushing your teeth over it. This hole you can easily open up and reuse as the water will be gone the next time you do so. As for #2's - Mr. Barley has a great suggestion in another thread and that's to go down the shoreline or to the mainland if you're on an island and do your business there. The problem when in the Q is trying to find a spot that hasn't been used already. It's not pretty when you start digging and hit old toilet paper. :(

I think base camping on Saganagons would be a great first trip. I recommend a day trip down the falls chain too just to get a feel for it. You can always turn back.

I doubt I'll be back to the BW after going to Quetico 3 out of the last 4 times. It's a very different feel than the BW. Way more expensive and you have to get the RABC and an outdoor card if you fish but I see that stuff as the price to see less people.

Thanks for the tips! I'm starting to really wrap my head around this!

After speaking with some folks last night at Wing I'm now torn. I've always kind of had my eye a bit on the Man Chain - as our first rodeo with the Q... but was going to enter from Cache Bay....

I now realize I can get there from PP too, and maybe that's a better way for us to go since there will be smaller lakes etc. I realize Cache Bay is less portaging....

What's everyone's opinions? I know we can get on the water early to increase our chances of flat water... We don't really like big water, so the more I think about it, the more I wonder if Cache Bay is right for us? PP is sounding more and more appealing... I don't know....

If I have my choice of canoe places to revisit, it would be entering at Beaverhouse. Solitude, large and small lakes, no RABC and lower fees, and - reportedly - great fishing. Falls, pictographs, sandy beaches, great camp sites, artifacts.

Simpler, and also special, in through PP, up to Kashapiwi through Isabella, and probably across Trant and down the S Chain or into Agnes.

Beaverhouse, Cache Bay and Prairie Portage are all great entry points to see Quetico.

If you choose Prairie Portage and are only going to do 4 or 5 nights I might try and see Louisa Falls and do a loop to North Bay instead of the Man Chain.

After a Moose Lake tow to the Prairie Portage entry, I like to head up thru Sunday Lake and Meadows Lake into Agnes Lake. Your post said you like to stay away from big water. Well, after leaving Prairie Portage you must head out from Inlet Bay into Bayley Bay and it is big water and if windy ... can be a bear to cross. Just try to get thru the Quetico Ranger Station at PP very early. It is the busiest entry point into Quetico (7 permits a day are issued for PP) and it is best to be first or 2nd in line to get on the water early before winds pick up.

Your first portage into Burke Lake from Bayley is very easy as you land on a sand beach and hoof it on a sand path to Burke. You paddle from Burke into Sunday via a short portage called Singing Brook Portage. Then you do 2 somewhat long but not too difficult portages from Sunday into Meadows Lake and Meadows into Agnes.

Agnes is a 21 mile long lake.

At the southern end of Agnes you must stop at "Louisa Falls". It is a "MUST SEE" and is a short 15 minute paddle . Louisa Falls is a beautiful cascading waterfall created from a little stream that drops from Louisa Lake into the southern part of the 21 mile Agnes Lake. About In the middle of the falls, there is a little pool that forms, The large "tub" is perfect for bathing and taking a shower in. The pool is large and deep enough for up to ten people.

The pool is absolutely perfect because there are rocks to stand on near the falls, but the water is almost over your head in the middle. You can also position yourself under the falls and take a shower. On the other side of the pool is a row of rocks that protects waders from falling down the lower portion of the falls, so you are perfectly safe.

I have been in the Louisa Falls tub many times and while I have been there when no one else is around ... I have also been there when there are several groups there at the same time.

There a couple of campsites at the Falls itself and several nearby. From Louisa Falls I usually head up to Kawnipi Lake and do a 9 night 10 day trip. But since you are looking at a 4 or 5 nights and 5 or 6 days I would head west when you reach the "S" chain of lakes ... Sllence, Sultry, Summer, Noon, Shade and then to North Bay and then back to PP. A shorter loop would be to travel west out of Agnes when you reach East Lake, Jeff, West, South and then North Bay to PP.

If you are looking at Saganagons ... I also like to take an early morning tow to Hook Island via Seagull Outfitters and enter via Cache Bay and after just 1 portage over Silver Falls you can be on Saganagons. Like Louisa Falls, Silver Falls is another Quetico must see. Again, Cache Bay is big water and you must try to get to the Ranger Station on Cache Bay as early as possible and beat the wind with an early tow. Gons is big water too but there are plenty of bays to hide from the wind especially in the south eastern part of Gons.

If you talked to Kiporby about Saganagons... you are talking to one of the most knowledgeable paddlers about Gons.

Bill Conner has a lot of experience and knowledge regarding a Beaverhouse entry and all of its surrounding lakes. And he is right on as being lower cost per night and no RABC fee with plenty of solitude, and sandy beaches and great fishing. Jackfish would be another great resource to discuss Beaverhouse options.

Bottomline, reaching out to fellow bwca.com members, who frequent the Q, is the best way to have a memorable June Quetico trip.