Alright!!!! The forecast for next weekend (4-6) (clear w/ highs in the 50's and lows in the 30's) has me considering taking Friday off and doing a short 3 day/2 night solo so I can say I've done a Nov. trip. Work, coaching both daughters bball teams, and personal stuff may keep it from coming together on short notice, but the possibility of it happening has peeked my interest. I've done a few Oct. trips and this year I did a solo 1 week after ice out.

Any thoughts from the experts out there?

I was up the Gunflint 3 times this year so I'm thinking of staying on Sawbill, or Sawbill to Kelso so I can hike the long portage North, or Sawbill to Smoke or Burnt. or Ely area.... Lake One since I probably won't do a summer trip there. I thought about an Echo Trail EP but I think the trail itself will be full of deer hunters so will avoid that area. I like the Sawbill area because I'd rent from them and my van would be in their lot so someone would know if I didn't make it out if the weather forecast was wrong and I got iced in.

I'm thinking a royalex canoe would be a good idea because of the possibility of ice if the forecast of off. Sawbill has the Vagabond...... Would that work w/ a lab in front of me and pack in the back? I've soloed w/ him in a SR Q16 and Northstar Northwind Solo.

Have a good time if you can pull it off!
Thoughts? Only one: The air may be warm but the water is cold. Don't dump. Be safe and have a plan thought out if you do dump.

What are you going to do in all that darkness?

quote pswith5: "What are you going to do in all that darkness?"

Get a really good nights sleep :) When I did my Oct. trips I was in the tent from around 8pm until 7am. In Nov. I'd have a fire for a little while before calling it a night and reading for a while.

I don't usually see too many deer hunters on the Echo Trail. I'd consider doing a trip through Mudro.

boo hiss......... things didn't come together and it's not going to happen. I'm really bummed and the forecast looks like an amazing weekend.

Bummer, dude!

Holy Cow is it a beautiful weekend.

quote ducks: "Holy Cow is it a beautiful weekend."

It was, wish you could of made it up, it was only 2 days but well worth it, 2 long days but fun.