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cowdoc
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Close to 10 hours
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Johnh
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2100 miles from Northern California to Atikokan. Most trips I fly but I drove it solo in 2016 and 2017 so I could take my dog. Both times I paddled for 30 days so it was worth it. The hardest part is the last day going home. Like the Bobby Bare song says - I guess that makes me the winner.
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nctry
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Johnh: "2100 miles from Northern California to Atikokan. Most trips I fly but I drove it solo in 2016 and 2017 so I could take my dog. Both times I paddled for 30 days so it was worth it. The hardest part is the last day going home. Like the Bobby Bare song says - I guess that makes me the winner."
Um, except for poohba from Peru! That’s a little further.
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MHS67
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I will miss coming back there this year. Last year I visited an aunt and uncle in Wis. payed a visit to our old place in northern Wis. and a few side trips. By the time I got home I was right at 6000 miles. It usually takes me about 5 days to make it back there. Its worth it!! I have for several years made a canoe trip one year and a Canada fishing trip the next. Been doing that since 1997. Lots of nice country out there.
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greywolf33
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It is exactly 244 miles from my garage door to the Sawbill Trail.
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ledhead
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1188 miles from Conifer, CO to VNO..... driving it for the first time in early August...
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Boppasteveg
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Just under 300 miles from my home to Seagull Outfitters . I live south of Minneapolis.
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Spartan2
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jhb8426: "I'm impressed with the drive some people endure. Living in Mpls it's a relatively easy trip for me. I remember a number of boy scout trips to the Black Hills area driving all nite across S0. Dak. watching the sun rise from the bad lands for breakfast. Those were killers.
For those of you making the trek this summer be aware of a lot of construction on I-35 going out of the twin cities area."
Perhaps because of our love of road trips, or perhaps because we had more time available than many of you, I never considered that we were "enduring" the drive. It was, after all a vacation, and the road trip was just a part of it. It was fun to be on the road going TO the canoe country--not always as enjoyable going AWAY from the canoe country. Having some enjoyable stops along the way and not making a marathon out of it was a blessing that we appreciated.
And it seems to me that there is ALWAYS construction on the freeways in Chicago and in the Twin Cities. Also on highway 61 on the North Shore. Just making the eventual drive better, ;-) I remember when most of the Echo Trail was a two-track!
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LindenTree
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Between 70 and 200 miles depending on where I am staying, Duluth or Detroit Lakes area.
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4keys
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About 7 hours from Necedah WI. Far enough to make it a destination vacation yet close enough to make the drive and canoeing doable in a week. Also too far for for a quick weekend away. Depends on your perspective.
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yellowcanoe
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jillpine: "yellowcanoe: "twistertail: "This has been a fun read, thanks guys. I think the lengths that people go to for a trip to BWCA/Quetico is a testament to what a special and unique place it really is. "
Well not really.. I usually stop way before as exquisite uncrowded canoe country is a lot closer. But I like to explore."
I looked up the northern forest canoe trail. Is this a part of your reference above? "
Folks that live west of the Mississippi and south of the BWCA really have no opportunities for canoeing in the boreal forest.. East of the Mississippi there are more such ecosystems especially in Maine NH and NY.
I happen to live close to the NFCT and in a mixed hardwoood evergreen forest with a front yard that looks much like a BWCA campsite.
That folks are willing to travel far is testament to how precious the BWCA is.. Its just that here we have much more of that sort of opportunity.. Now we could not find prairie or desert to save our lives!
Algonquin is a similar canoe area to the BWCA. Much closer and has similar pressure being comparatively close to metro areas ( 3 hours from Toronto and two from Ottawa)
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mr.barley
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5 and a half hours to Ely or around 7 hours to the Gunflint Lake area. Times will vary depending on when I go through the Twin Cities, but I usually travel through there at night.
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CityFisher74
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3.5 hours, and feeling very fortunate about this.
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midfin
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great idea for a thread, Twistertail. I'll have to admit that the distances some of you drive is impressive. I'm surprised at how far people travel and agree with what you said about it being testimony to such a special place.
I put a way point on the Garmin hand held GPS at the portage between Newfound Lake and Ensign. It's 559 miles from my home, as the crow flies. The driving distance is 640 miles, and it took a little over 10 hours. Back in the 80's, when the speed limit was 55, it used to take 14 hours.
Rice Lake, WI is a beautiful area, hope you and your daughter enjoy the overnight stay. When I was younger, I'd push hard, drive all night, and rest later. I like the way you are doing it much better. Hope you have a great trip. Thanks to all for the enjoyable thread.
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prizes14
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Right at 800 miles from Central Nebraska. 14 hours.
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Dooger
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About 9 hours from the far eastern U.P. to Ely if I’m alone and don’t do a restaurant stop.
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HowardSprague
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IndyCanoe: "Just under 800 miles and roughly 12 hours for us out of the south west side of Indianapolis.
We have always left around 3 am drive strait through and then stay at a bunk house or hotel in Ely. "
I like that approach. If you leave at 3am, you've still gotten at least a few hours sleep, the excitement of the trip gets you through a few hours...then the sun comes up, another little boost. Then when I start getting sleepy again it's time for a nice gas/coffee/breakfast stop. Then drive through the beautiful Wisconsin countryside and roll into Ely in the afternoon, get some stuff done, get a good night's sleep and start the BW trip fresh and energized. Much different than starting in the evening and driving all night, and putting in that morning.
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smalliesaver
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Its exactly 1,000 miles from my place to the shores of Lake Saganaga (and points beyond). Been there almost every year since 1998.
Best fishing day was 142 smallmouth between 3:30 PM and 7 PM on a rainy, misty day in early June. Could have caught more but our hands and fingers were so sore we physically had to give up, and we also had a couple portages and some paddling between us and our night to cook dinner for the rest of our camp. Literally caught fish on every cast. All were released unharmed, bent barbs make it so much easier. You cannot get that kind of magic anywhere else, in my opinion.
Daniel Boone once said "Heaven must be a Kentucky kind of place" - He would have gone nuts in the BWCA/Q.
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shock
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i'm lucky enough to live in minnesota , from door to seagull outfitters 351 miles , about 6 hours straight driving time , but enjoy the journey ;)
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yellowhorse
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Ely is 1027 miles from Pittsburgh.
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ozarkpaddler
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960-980 miles depending on route to Grand Marais.
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airmorse
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Wasn't there someone who traveled from Israel to paddle the BWCA?
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airmorse
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For me 9 hours and 600 miles to Tofte.
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Harv
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The Great Outdoors: "Harv: "The Great Outdoors: "Live on Burntside Lake, so Crab Lake Portage and another BWCA boundary line on Tamarack Creek are almost 5 whole minutes away!!!! :)"
Although true; I'd assume you take trips into the BWCA; let a lone into Crab Lake! :)
86 miles for me; just under 2 hrs.
"
Harm,
I've been over the Clark and Crab Lake portages hunting Partridge, Deer, and trapping beaver on all those little lakes around it many times, which is why you always are calling me for my sage advice about everything.
I got your message last night, so to answer your two questions: Yes, you eat the inside of the banana, not the outside-and you DO NOT shake up a can of beer like you do a can of tomato juice before opening.
You're welcome!! :)"
HAHAHA Thanks BUDDY
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bwcadan
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About 11.5 from KC to Ely. Pick up kid(s) and grands. Add 4 hours from to KC from STL the day before.
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overthehill
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From North VA 470 miles or 8-9 hrs. to "home" east of Cincy. Layover a day to visit family and final prep trip partner(s). Then near 1000 miles or 16+ hrs. to Ely. Usually stopping overnight in EauClaire /Chippewa Falls/Rice Lake. Then to Ely. Then usually spend a day in Ely to hang out/acclimate/grocery etc. the day before entering. Post trip includes a night in Ely to do laundry and have a steak before leaving the next morning. Sometimes we drive straight to Cincinnati on return. Usually takes me two weeks to do a week's trip. 14 trips since '07 . So far, it is still worth it.
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montanapaddler
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I fly into Duluth, I have family there and some of the group I go with lives there. One day buffer at the beginning to get everyone and their gear together. Usually fly out the day after take out.
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jillpine
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I used to spend a "night before" if taking my sons when they were young or my mom (whose last trip with me was when she was 72) but with these days behind me, I avoid pre-trip overnights if possible. Sometimes it's not possible (weather, group, really late start etc)
Here's my own experience and perspective on this: it takes me 24-48 hours to settle down in the wilderness. After a five-day stretch, I don't want to leave it. So, anymore, I'm anxious to enter it as quickly as possible to allow the 24-48 hour entry jitters to settle. If I spend time at a campsite, bunkhouse or hotel before entry, it seems to excerbates the "settle down" period. I went recently with my adult son and we hit the water late, about 5pm in 42degree rain. Not ideal but I bet on open campsites because it was early June, a Tuesday and a lake with multiple sites not far from ep. Luck was with us and we were setting up camp after a two hour paddle.
All that said, I'm four hours away, not 16, and I go there at least monthly June-October. Also, I've done the whole "Brittons breakfast before entry" with groups and I appreciate how this is part of a really memorable trip for sure. But for me, I want to get into there as quickly as possible and get it going!
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mschi772
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SE WI here. We usually drive about 9ish hours (accounting for stops along the way) to stay overnight in a motel/hotel before entering the next morning. Coming home is the same in reverse. The hotel stays, the one after the trip, are really just as enjoyable as the rest of the trip.
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HowardSprague
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24kGold: "980 miles from NW Arkansas. We drive all Friday night, goof around in Grand Marais Saturday morning, spend the night at the outfitter and head in the next morning. Not bad when you have four guys to share the driving.
Terry"
Anyplace near Eureka Springs? You get beautiful country on both ends, that's pretty cool!
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Mocha
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About 5 so far! We only made it as far as Duluth, staying down by the harbor across the lift bridge. Apparently there is live music at Bayfront and fireworks at 1010pm, fun times. Another 3 to 4 hours tomorrow depend8ng on visiting, then a 1/2 hour boat ride to an island paradise for 4 nights. No phone no tv. Just fishing and campfires and quiet.
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blutofish1
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About 750 miles. I take my time and avoid Chicago. 14 hours or so. Leave at 3am and arrive in Ely about 5pm. Get a good nights rest and fish hard the rest of the week.
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Captn Tony
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With no stops and no construction 7 hrs. & 12 min. to Ely, 7 hrs. & 39 min. to Gran Marias
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walllee
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630 miles give or take. Have made it in 9/12 hours before, but generally it’s a 12 hour trip. I like to stop at various places along the route. If I have time I will stay overnight and make it a 2 day trip.
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JJ47
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225 miles from my driveway to Ely, 276 miles from Trail Center Lodge on the Gunflint Trail. 3-1/2 to 4 hours.
Never knew how good I had it until I read a few of your responses.
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AmarilloJim
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1300 miles for me. I usually just drive. Sometimes I stop at a Cabelas.
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twistertail
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I'm in central Ohio and have 925 miles to drive that takes about 16 hours. On previous trips with all adults we left in the evening drove all night and hit the water as soon as we got there, made for a hard first day but got us an extra night in the wilderness.
This time, its just my 14 year old daughter and me so we are staying in Rice Lake, WI on the way up, then a night in Ely, then heading into the wilderness. So taking our time, no night driving and hopefully we'll both be well rested for our adventure and we'll be able to make a few stops along the way to see some things that we just rushed pass last time.
I was just wondering what others do on the days traveling?
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twistertail
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AmarilloJim: "1300 miles for me. I usually just drive. Sometimes I stop at a Cabelas."
WOW! 1300 miles, and I thought my 925 was a long drive lol
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HowardSprague
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600 miles, about 9-1/2 hours though I get there faster and my return home is slower :)
Sounds like you have a good plan. I'm not a fan of driving all night and being tired when I start my canoe trip.
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boonie
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I'm in north central WV and 1,155 miles from Grand Marais via the MI U.P., which is only a few miles and a little time more, but way less traffic and stress and way more relaxed and scenic. I used to cram the drive up and back into weekends on either end of a week's vacation. Too old to want to do that and I don't have to, so I put a couple of solid days in and have a relaxed day before entry. I'll often stop, even detour to see something on the way up/back. There's a lot to see up there. One year I came back via Canada around the shore of Lake Superior. It was really only an hour or so longer.
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heavylunch
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4 hours to Ely unless traffic is bad. Used to live in Georgia. That was not fun.
Adventures in Rice Lake is a decent restaurant. Try their creamy bruschetta.
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jillpine
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Wow this is humbling. I'm four hours out. Searching for real estate so I don't have to be "so far away". This puts it into different perspective.
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moray
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I drove 2000 miles from SoCal this May. I drove about 9 hrs a day for 3 days. I could’ve done it in 2 but my wife was worried about me driving that much alone. I stopped in Colorado first night,Nebraska the second and spent a night in Minneapolis waiting for my nephew to fly in. I enjoyed the drive through some very scenic country but don’t think I would do it again.
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inspector13
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I’m less than 250 miles away from the nearest EPs and own property an hour away. Instead of taking the freeway going up next time, I’ve decided to take the remnants of one of the oldest roads in Minnesota. The Point Douglas to Superior Military Road, which was built beginning in 1855, was the main early settlement route to the Twin Ports. It should be a fun tour through Washington, Chisago, Pine, Carlton, and Douglas Counties.
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Michwall2
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According to Google Maps: If I drive to Ely, it is about 625 mi. and 9.5 hours. If I go to Sawbill, about 635 mi. and about 10.1 hours.
That's if I don't have to make a side trip to pick someone up (like this year - add about an hour of driving going up) or make a stop to see the grandson (add another hour or two of driving) coming home.
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joeandali
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Also from Central Ohio and I when I have gone up we have stopped in the area you describe for the night and then spend a night in Ely. I don't want to be exhausted from the drive when we enter. I refuse to drive all night after a trip to Florida several years ago the took me a couple days to recover from the lack of sleep.`
Once we drove all the way home but we had three drivers in a van.
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sedges
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Right at 1500 to end of Gunflint Trail area where my recent trips have jumped off. I remember a time when we would drive 28 hours straight through trading off driving and snoozing. Never really enjoyed that, but we usually only had 12-14 days for a ten day trip and we couldn't really afford to stay in motels. My recent trips have been solo and I take a leisurely 3 days to do the drive. Visit friends in Indy the first night, motel in NW WI the second and an outfitter bunkhouse the night before the trip. I get to enjoy an early morning drive through NW WI and a day on the north shore.
I stay in Grand Marais the day I come out, not usually wanting to start driving hard that day.
Being older, a little more flush financially and half retired helps make the road part of the trip more enjoyable.
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WonderMonkey
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I'm also from Ohio (above Dayton) and Google says it is about 13.5 hrs, 857 miles.
This my first time going there so we are heading up after work on Friday and using Saturday to catch up on sleep and be ready. Sunday morning we head in.
Next year, when the trip is 100% mine, we will probably again leave on Friday but hit the water as soon as we arrive and get to a campsite that is fairly close.
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RTurner
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1400 Miles from Maine. When I came out with my daughter last fall, we spent one night in Ontario leaving us about 10 hours to Grand Marais. We then spent the first night at one of VCO's cabins. We were meeting up with my son and his girlfriend coming up from CO, so it was much easier to have the afternoon and evening at the entry point to get organized, plus I like to start paddling trips in the morning
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mirth
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I'm 9 hours and 560 miles from the Moose Lake EP, and 10 hours and 610 miles from Saganaga. I try to maximize vacation time by traveling on the weekend but in recent years I've discovered I can't just drive home the day I exit the wilderness.... Between exhaustion from the trip & whatever giant post-trip meal I find myself getting drowsy behind the wheel within an hour or two of driving. Last couple trips have taken a day away from being "in" so there's a R&R day before driving home.
Me & a buddy once left mid afternoon and slept a few hours in the car at the rest stop outside of Duluth on the divide. That was OK but not the greatest sleep. We definitely got to Brittons shortly after they opened and were to our EP before 8.
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maxxbhp
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Roughly 1100 miles, takes about 19 hours. We drive about 14 the first day and stay a night in Wisconsin. That gets us to the outfitter shortly after noon the next day. Get checked in and everything ready go, get in a little sight seeing.
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jwmiller39
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120 miles, 2.5 hrs for me. This thread puts it into perspective how lucky I am to live so close.
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BandanaDan
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About 1000 miles from here (NE Ohio) to Sawbill. Going up thru Michigan and across the UP adds 50 miles to the trip, but is worth it to avoid Chicago. Usually drive 12 hours the 1st day, camp around Escanaba (sleep in the van). Arrive mid-afternoon the next day, get permit, final shopping, chill. Start paddling 1st thing in the morning.
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MidwestMan
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Right at 10 hours for us (Northwest Illinois to Gunflint Trail).
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MidwestMan
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Holy smokes man, that's a drive! How many trips have you made?
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boonie
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MidwestMan: "Holy smokes man, that's a drive! How many trips have you made?" I've made 15 now, every since 2006.
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paddlinjoe
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Taking the extra travel time with your daughter could provide as many memorable moments as the canoe trip portion. I am impressed with the time commitments just to get to and from the bwca for so many visitors.
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The Great Outdoors
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Live on Burntside Lake, so Crab Lake Portage and another BWCA boundary line on Tamarack Creek are almost 5 whole minutes away!!!! :)
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Harv
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The Great Outdoors: "Live on Burntside Lake, so Crab Lake Portage and another BWCA boundary line on Tamarack Creek are almost 5 whole minutes away!!!! :)"
Although true; I'd assume you take trips into the BWCA; let a lone into Crab Lake! :)
86 miles for me; just under 2 hrs.
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johndku
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Also from Ohio, Cleveland area.
Exactly 1,000 miles from our house to the parking lot at Seagull Outfitters.
Anticipation on the way up makes the drive almost fun. On the way home it sucks.
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ParkerMag
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About 870 to Gunflint, 800 to Ely, 985 to Atikokan, 1135 to Red Lake. Always do it in one throw. Leave the house between 1:00 and 5:00 AM depending on destination, and try to arrive mid-afternoon to pick up permit, grab bunk house, eat, and do final gear arranging.
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TrailZen
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We're in western NC, and the most direct route from the house to Ely is 1250 miles/19+ hours. I dislike driving around Chicago, however, so usually add a few miles to avoid it. We usually stop in Wisconsin our first night on the road and arrive in Ely early afternoon our second drive day. My first visit was 1978; the two of us have been visiting since 1979, and have our Quetico reservation and RABC for this year's late-August trip...
TZ
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moray
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The Great Outdoors: "Live on Burntside Lake, so Crab Lake Portage and another BWCA boundary line on Tamarack Creek are almost 5 whole minutes away!!!! :)"
I think I might hate you!!!! :)
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The Great Outdoors
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Harv: "The Great Outdoors: "Live on Burntside Lake, so Crab Lake Portage and another BWCA boundary line on Tamarack Creek are almost 5 whole minutes away!!!! :)"
Although true; I'd assume you take trips into the BWCA; let a lone into Crab Lake! :)
86 miles for me; just under 2 hrs.
"
Harm,
I've been over the Clark and Crab Lake portages hunting Partridge, Deer, and trapping beaver on all those little lakes around it many times, which is why you always are calling me for my sage advice about everything.
I got your message last night, so to answer your two questions: Yes, you eat the inside of the banana, not the outside-and you DO NOT shake up a can of beer like you do a can of tomato juice before opening.
You're welcome!! :)
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The Great Outdoors
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moray: "The Great Outdoors: "Live on Burntside Lake, so Crab Lake Portage and another BWCA boundary line on Tamarack Creek are almost 5 whole minutes away!!!! :)"
I think I might hate you!!!! :) "
:)
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twistertail
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heavylunch: "4 hours to Ely unless traffic is bad. Used to live in Georgia. That was not fun.
Adventures in Rice Lake is a decent restaurant. Try their creamy bruschetta."
thanks for tip!
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Frenchy19
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Live in the Twin Cities, so around 4 hours to both Ely and Grand Marais. GM is usually a bit slower. Always hit a bunkhouse or Motel on both ends of a trip. Recently stayed at Hungry Jack Outfitters for the first time; wonderful people and ungodly comfy mattresses. My new go-to place on the Gunflint.
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jcavenagh
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I drive about 5 miles less than HowardSprague.
Back in the early 80s we would leave after work and arrive around 4am.
We would thorw our bags on the ground and sleep 2-3 hours.
The up with the sun, get the canoes at Greystone, and hit the water.
I miss being young....
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Spartan2
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Just slightly under 800 miles.
In the 70's we were traveling from farther away, (Ft. Knox, Kentucky, then central Illinois, and for a few years Port Huron, Michigan.) We had our children with us, and it always involved a stop overnight in Minneapolis, to drop our kids off with our friends who kept them for us.
Since the 80's, up until 2007, it has been a couple of scenarios. Up across Michigan's U. P., or taking the beautiful Canadian highway on the north shore of Lake Superior. We always made a day or two of relaxed travel on both ends of our canoe trip, seeing other sights. We were fortunate to have enough vacation time that we didn't have to do any marathon trips to Ely or Grand Marais and start a trip tired. I am thankful for that. All of it, from leaving home to returning, was "vacation."
After 2007, we have almost always had our granddaughter with us. That means a trip through Chicago to pick her up at one of the northern suburbs, an obligatory stop the first night at the Hilton Garden Inn in Madison (they have a wonderful pool, and we like to eat at the Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, which is right across the street.) Then it is another stop the next night at the Twin Cities, since we still always visit our friends from back in the '70's. Then on to a cabin on the Gunflint for a week.
Granddaughter loves Naniboujou Lodge, too--we often stop there on the day we check out of our cabin for an overnight before heading south again. One hotel stop in Eau Claire area, a stop at Ehlenbach's Cheese Haus, and drop her off at home again. Then it is a four-hour drive for us to get back to central Michigan.
We had our last real canoe trip in 2013. Now we are content with a week in a cabin, day trips in the canoe, campfires, swimming in the lake, etc. Anna will be a senior in high school this year, so I suspect it will be the last time, but you never know. She loves the canoe country almost as much as we do. :-)
Only one year have we been able to have more than one canoe trip. In 2004 we did a spring trip that ended on the first day of summer, and a fall trip that started on the first day of autumn. Before 1992 we usually only did northern Minnesota/Canada every other year. But when Spartan1 developed the kidney disease, we made a pact that we would go every year until we were no longer able to do it. I have often envied those of you who live close to the BWCA, but we love living in Michigan, too. Trade-offs, I guess.
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x2jmorris
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I've always assumed most of you lived nearby like ely, twin cities, or duluth like myself. I was way off.
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jhb8426
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I'm impressed with the drive some people endure. Living in Mpls it's a relatively easy trip for me. I remember a number of boy scout trips to the Black Hills area driving all nite across S0. Dak. watching the sun rise from the bad lands for breakfast. Those were killers.
For those of you making the trek this summer be aware of a lot of construction on I-35 going out of the twin cities area.
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ThreeRivers
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1,265 miles (one way!) from Washington DC to Ely. Every year on the drive back I say I should just fly to Duluth but might be hard to pack all my gear! My wife also always tells me I should find a place closer, which is impossible! Plus I grew up in western Wisconsin and she is from Maryland and just doesnt get it! Her idea of camping is going to the spa!
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Northwoodsman
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x2jmorris: "I've always assumed most of you lived nearby like ely, twin cities, or duluth like myself. I was way off." I grew up in MN and used to live in Duluth. Still get the urge to come back once or twice a year to give blood (mosquitoes).
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24kGold
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980 miles from NW Arkansas. We drive all Friday night, goof around in Grand Marais Saturday morning, spend the night at the outfitter and head in the next morning. Not bad when you have four guys to share the driving.
Terry
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fadersup
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622 to the end of the Gunflint. Those last 50 miles will never get old.
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moray
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Johnh: "2100 miles from Northern California to Atikokan. Most trips I fly but I drove it solo in 2016 and 2017 so I could take my dog. Both times I paddled for 30 days so it was worth it. The hardest part is the last day going home. Like the Bobby Bare song says - I guess that makes me the winner."
JohnH, when you fly in from California how do you get from airport to BW/Q? I’ve thought about flying in but wouldn’t want to rent a car just to have it sit at an outfitters. Most of my trips I fly to Indy and drive from there with friends. Would love to get another trip in every year but don’t have time for the drive from SoCal.
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billconner
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Use to be 865 mi door to Canoe Country Outfitters. Moved this spring and will be 1100 miles and 20+ hours, maybe a little more if I go by way of north shore if Superior. A lot of camping opportunity there. And may split into three parts.
My immediate goal is to find the nearly three weeks to do Northwest Wilderness Quest by October 15 this year - around 3000 miles.
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Johnh
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I fly to Msp or IF. If you do an 8 day trip the car is around $400. You can get a shuttle from IF to Atikokan and back for $400 so if you do a two week trip the shuttle is cheaper. I am shuttling in September which is the first time I have done it. Seems like it should work.
I have done it like you and flown part way then driven with friends.
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yellowcanoe
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23 hours.. Atikokan is the same distance and only one border crossing not two. So I prefer Quetico.. Route goes through Montreal and its all woods and moose after that till Thunder Bay
!339 miles.
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail goes by one town north of me.
never never Chicago for me
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Canoeit
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755 miles from Indianapolis. Usually takes us 14-15 hours. We tend to leave in the evening timing it to arrive early to mid morning so we have some time to look around. After spending that night in a bunkhouse or motel we hit the water early the next morning.
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twistertail
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This has been a fun read, thanks guys. I think the lengths that people go to for a trip to BWCA/Quetico is a testament to what a special and unique place it really is.
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allfish
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I guess it's about 1100 miles from No. Va. to The Cities, then about another 300 up to Crane Lake? We switch-off and fly about half the time and drive about half the time. The older we get, it doesn't get any easier, but some new tech makes it easier to kill time when you are not driving...
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ryebread26
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671 miles for us in SE Nebraska google says takes 10hrs but usually ends up taking about 11-12 with stops.
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IndyCanoe
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Just under 800 miles and roughly 12 hours for us out of the south west side of Indianapolis.
We have always left around 3 am drive strait through and then stay at a bunk house or hotel in Ely.
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flynn
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I live in Minneapolis so I'm about 4.5 hours from Ely, including a stop for food in Hinckley on the way up and the way back. Definitely very fortunate.
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smoke11
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1250 give or take we usually go around Chicago to avoid tolls and traffic. This year we left Ely at 730 pm on Friday and got back to Candler North Carolina 3pm on Saturday.
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AtwaterGA
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1,750 miles from South Georgia to the Quetico points near Atikokan. Made the drive the first time in 1978. Made it 26 years without missing a year. Missed several years when the boys were growing up. We would spend most nights in KOA's. Usually stayed at a motel in Toma, Wisconsin ( Lark Inn). Always camped at the Grand Marais campground for one night, then drive up to the French Lake campground in the Quetico for one night before the canoe trip. After retiring we purchased a primitive camp near the Quetico. Last interior canoe trip was four years ago. We flew to Duluth and rented a car last year. Will do the same this year. The thing we do not like about flying up is that we no longer can carry our camping gear and it looks like we will not be wilderness camping in the Quetico any longer. Our camp does not have electricity or running water so it is almost like camping. If any grandchildren come up we will rent from an outfitter and go with them on a wilderness canoe trip if they want to. Five years ago one son and a grandson came up and they wanted to stay in our log cabin and not take an interior canoe trip.
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perseidwatcher
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I am from New Haven, Indiana and it is about 730 miles to Ely. We leave after work on Friday and get to Ely about the time the sun comes up on Friday morning. We are usually on the water by 9:00 AM. One of our group retired last year. I will retire at the end of next year. After that we may start leaving on Thursday and take it a bit more leisurely.
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x2jmorris
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1.5 to 2 hours pending where I go
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nctry
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99 miles to Ely and about 200 to gunflint lake.
I still would stay in a bunk to get a good start and see a little Ely on the way in.
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carmike
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Four hours from my door to Ely, depending on whether or not I hit the lights in Cloquet and Virginia.
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Northwoodsman
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1,220 miles from north Texas. 19+/- hours depending on weather & road construction.
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tobywan
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1300 Miles for me from Shreveport, La. Usually do a two week vacation with hotel stays coming and going. Hate feeling rushed before and especially after a vacation to the Boundary Waters. I wish I lived closer but couldn't trade our summers for y'alls winters.
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QueticoMike
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WonderMonkey: "I'm also from Ohio (above Dayton) and Google says it is about 13.5 hrs, 857 miles.
This my first time going there so we are heading up after work on Friday and using Saturday to catch up on sleep and be ready. Sunday morning we head in.
Next year, when the trip is 100% mine, we will probably again leave on Friday but hit the water as soon as we arrive and get to a campsite that is fairly close."
It's about 950 miles to Ely for me. I don't drive through Chicago anymore. I avoid Chicago and all of the traffic and tolls by going south on 75 down to 70, then to 74 on the other side of Indy. Take 74 to the middle of Illinois and take 39 north up to Wisconsin. Then take 90 to 53 to get to Duluth. Takes 12 hours. Then 2 to 2.5 hours to Ely
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Jackfish
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Almost exactly to the mile - 1200 miles roundtrip to Atikokan, ON, then to the landing and home.
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Fried Fish
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Wednesday morning will give me a 4 hour drive to Tofte and another hour to Baker lake.
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yellowcanoe
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twistertail: "This has been a fun read, thanks guys. I think the lengths that people go to for a trip to BWCA/Quetico is a testament to what a special and unique place it really is. "
Well not really.. I usually stop way before as exquisite uncrowded canoe country is a lot closer. But I like to explore.
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jillpine
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yellowcanoe: "twistertail: "This has been a fun read, thanks guys. I think the lengths that people go to for a trip to BWCA/Quetico is a testament to what a special and unique place it really is. "
Well not really.. I usually stop way before as exquisite uncrowded canoe country is a lot closer. But I like to explore."
I looked up the northern forest canoe trail. Is this a part of your reference above?
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MississippiDan
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About 900 miles from southern Missouri to Ely. Generally leave after group members get off work, drive through the night, and pick up permits. Then a night of camping and rest near the entry point before the trip.
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