Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Quetico Afficionados :: Is PP to North Bay to Agnes to PP really Quetico
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Mad_Angler |
- Mid July - 7 days - Family trip (me, my wife, 4 daughters (ages 11,13,15,17), and 2 dogs) - First trip to Quetico. 5 previous BW trips for me. 2 previous BW trips for family Here is the proposed route (Route 21? in Paddling Quetico book): - Tow to PP - Paddle from PP through Burke to North Bay - relax/fish fr a few days - Paddle north bad to Agnes - Relax/fish and see Louisa falls for a few days - Paddle back to PP - Tow back down Moose So, will I really see "quetico" with this route? Since I will be so close to PP, will it really be much different than the BW? I am excited to see the rugged solitude of Quetico. Will I see much of that on this route? Is there another route I should consider? |
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Leute |
One comment I have is that I notice the campsites are often in much worse shape near the entry points. One, obviously, because of heavy use, and two, more people stay near the entry points are often less likely to clean up after themselves. Actually, that's not exactly the way I want that to sound. Let's rephrase that as: people who are willing to bust their but to get deeper into the park, on average, will probably take better care of the sites. I'm sure there are tons of very considerate folks who camp near the e.p.'s. But, I think there are also some who don't appreciate it as much either. So, go deep. |
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timatkn |
quote OldGreyGoose: "Timatkn, your fish pics are making me reconsider! --Goose" North Bay should make anyone that likes to fish salivate. Bays, reefs, islands, deep water holding trout, then the narrows leading back to the U.S. side. The problem is choosing where to start :) I regret I was only able to fish a few hours there, but then again I can say the same thing about almost all the lakes we camped on in 2008--Agnes, Kash, Woodside, Basswood. T |
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billconner |
I'd suggest a day trip to Isabella over the beaver dams and through the reeds. I think the idea to camp on Louisa or up Agnes a ways is also wise. I have found visitors come to Louisa falls in the evening. |
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GraniteCliffs |
On the flip side, I put a high value on avoiding people so my perspective may be somewhat skewed. Regardless, Agnes and North Bay are far superior to any of the easy entry points of the BW. |
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moosedrool |
overall, you still will see far fewer people on that route than you would on most any bwca entry point. I think Quetico gets only 10% of the visitors that the bwca gets every year. |
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timatkn |
My experience was that this is one of the busiests routes, both North Bay and Lousia Falls see alot of traffic "for Quetico". It won't be anything like going to the Numbered Lakes or Dissappointment, but obviuosly you will not have the entire lake to yourself. BUT the good thing is most of the traffic is passing through. At night we had Loisa Falls area all to ourselves essentially. There were other people camped on North Bay but once evening came around we really did not notice anyone camped in either location---So traffic yes--but not crowded. We only spent one night in each location but that was a busy time. It was pleasant enough that I have mentally been planning a trip similar to yours when our son gets older. North Bay has some nice fish BTW. Camp on North Bay T |
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OldGreyGoose |
weather, because NB can be a busy area where some are going in, some are going out, and some just make it a destination. I think I'd get a better "taste" by paddling on day 2. Here would be my rough plan which I would totally play by ear once I'm out: Day 1, paddle/portage(p/p) to North Bay; Day 2, p/p up S-lakes, maybe to Silence; Day 3 layover day on S-lake; Day 4, p/p into Agnes; Day 5, layover on Agnes, side trip to Louisa falls; Day 6, p/p to Sunday, Burke or Bayley Bay, depending on weather, etc. Day 7, out to PP. This should be a nice, rather easy trip. Like Moosedrool says, expect to see people. You are only going in a day-and-a-half from Prairie Portage, so "solitude" may be hard to find. I hope to read your trip report! --Goose |
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OldGreyGoose |
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Banksiana |
Meadows is also a good place to camp- (breaks up the two ankle-busting portages ) lots of groups paddling through but rarely stopping to camp, and the through route just crosses the tip of one bay. Thing to remember is that Agnes (via Burke, Sunday, Meadows) and North Bay are probably the two busiest areas in the southern half of the park. |
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timatkn |
I did not read your initial post well. "I am excited to see the rugged solitude of Quetico. Will I see much of that on this route?" I would not call this area "rugged solitude". That doesn't mean it isn't a great area though. I think Meadows has some nice largemouth if I remember right. There is an article by the BWJ where the editor guided a trip and they fished Meadows last year I think--might be soem info in there as well. As others have said many just blow through. T |
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dl |
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wetcanoedog |
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Mad_Angler |
- Sat: Tow to PP, paddle Bayley Bay and Burke to North Bay. Camped on North Bay - Sun: Stayed at North Bay, fished and relaxed - Mon: Paddled North Bay, South Lake, West lake, to Shade Lake. Camped on Shade - Tue: Stayed at Shade, fished and relaxed - Wed: Paddled Shade, West, Jeff, East to Agnes Lake. Paddled south. Camped about 1/2 mile north of Louisa Falls - Thur: Stayed at Agnes, visted the falls, fished and relaxed - Fri: Paddled Agnes, did Meadows portages, paddled Sunday, did North Portage to Bayley Bay. Camped at first site on Bayley bay (The wind was 20-30 mph from the west. Bayley bay was rollin! - Sat: Paddled back to PP, towed back to moose, showered at Jordan's outfitters, had dinner in Ely, drove home It was our first moving trip. In the past we only basecamped. I think I prefer basecamping for fishing but moving is fun too. It was a great trip. It was different than the BW. The camp sites were less abused. The portages were rougher. We didn't see as many people. The fishing was about the same. More details to come with the full trip report... |
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fishguts |
Glad you had a good trip, can't wait to read your trip report & see pictures, as to fishing, that to improves as you get away from the main routes. |