Boundary Waters, Trip Reports, BWCA, Stories

Quetico Tailwinds
by Exo

Trip Type: Paddling Canoe

Entry Date: 08/29/2026

Entry & Exit Point: Quetico

Number of Days: 11

Group Size: 1

Trip Introduction:

Plan was for a solo loop in Quetico. I've solo tripped before, but only in BWCA. My initial plan was to enter at the border, having a valid RABC permit from 2024. Everything was lining up perfectly until the fires. 2026 fires changed the entry point. My primary "goal" this trip was to have have the opposite - no goals - just paddle. I didn't commit to any goals and just let the wind, weather and wilderness decide direction, where and when to paddle, and let campsites fall into place. Weather was very warm. Some days hitting 80 , some evenings it was still in the low-70's at 9pm. It only got below 60 a few of the nights. Food was mostly self-dehydrated meals with a freeze-dried breakfast options. Tacos, Shepard's Pie, Red Beans and Rice, Dirty Rice, Chile, Zatarain's Rice kicked up a notch, Ramen Rescue, etc. Portages miles in the report are double-portage miles. So 1 portage = 3 trips.

Discuss Trip: View Discussion Thread (0 messages)

Day 1 of 11

Saturday, August 29, 2026

The plan/itinerary I had made during the winter was to pick up a solo canoe in Ely and enter the same day at Moose Lake. I was going to spend the evening on Sucker or Birch Lake and make an early start the next morning with my still valid 2024 RABC. The BWCA permit would allow me some flexibility to bounce across the border a day or two early if I had to.

The 2026 fires changed that plan to an entry at Beaverhouse. After the financial impacts to Ely tourism, I was intent on keeping my canoe reservation there despite it taking longer to access the north side of Quetico.

The drive to Ely was about 8 hours. I picked up a Northstar Magic from Piragi's, also putting a few 6-packs of New Glarus Spotted Cow into their care.

I continued up Hwy 1 and 53 to Wooden Frog Campground. A fine rustic campground that was not busy at all. I found a shoreline site (38) and had several sites between me and the next campers. A boat-in trip to Kabetogama Lake and/or Voyageurs NP for some fishing is now on my mind for next year.

The next morning was a 2.5-hour drive to Beaverhouse.

Kabetogama Lake from my campsite: