Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: 2019 Solo Plans??
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Frenchy19 |
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anthonyp007 |
Tony |
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Bulldogge62 |
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boonie |
Paddle4Hike: "Sorry....That was for GraniteCliffs. I did the Thomas, Fraser, Sagus, Cap, Boulder, Adams, Beaver, Kawishiwi R. portion on a 2016 solo from Kawishiwi Lake entry. It's very nice - I think you'll enjoy. I'll be interested to hear your impressions. |
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ThreeRivers |
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paddlinjoe |
I am taking my turn at health issues this year, nothing terminal, but it has cancelled a planned May trip, and any other trips later in the season are wait and see. But, May trip plan started at Snowbank and ambled clockwise just below the border lakes to Gillis and back again. Highlights for me being first trips to Kekekabic and Ogishkemuncie as well as exploring the southern parts of the Mugwump Lake PMA before returning to Snowbank. |
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minnmike |
I will not be bringing the dog which makes me happy and sad. I'm gonna try to fit 22 days worth of food in my barrel so I won't have to resupply and I can't do it if I bring him. This will give me a lot of route flexibility. I am dehydrating meals now and filling freezer with meals for my wife so she won't have to cook much while I'm gone. My EP is #39, Baker Lake. I have several route options. The one I'm looking at now has a good amount of lake I haven't been to yet. It is Baker-Cherokee-Brule-Gaskin-Omega-Long Island-Tuscaroa-French-Paulson(Jap)-Alpine-Little Sag-Afton-Mesaba-Wine-Kelso and then exit Sawbill. I figure 4 hours average paddle days with 7 no move days. My other possible route is to head NW from Cherokee-Tusc-Paulson-Grandpa-Sag-Red Rock-Kek-Cap-Little Sag- Mesaba-Wine-Sawbill. Last years fall weather has me fretting a bit over clothing and footwear choices. Mainly to wet or dry foot. Chota boots and Hippies are not the way to go when it drops below freezing. I have plenty of good clothing layers. I am looking at getting a pair of Give'r winter gloves as my gloves last fall wetted out and were not warm enough for the wintry conditions. I will definitely be bringing 3-4 different pairs this trip. |
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bfurlow |
Bulldogge62: "Came together quickly, my life has taken a turn and I have a chance to spend 30 days on a solo trip. Entering at EP37 heading north thru Malberg,Adams, and boulder to the border. Gotta go west from there to set foot on isle of pines, making good on something I passed on over 35 years ago. I still remember the smoke curling up from the chimney of Dorothy’s cabin as we paddled by on a windy, rainy and cold morning opting to put miles behind us and not stopping for root beer. Then east thru SAK to ogish,gabi and little Sag. Then over to Tuscarora and down thru Long Island and Cherokee to temperance river over thru fire chain and sawbill. Then across Alton and the lady chain back to Polly and south to Kawishiwi. My mind is spinning,July 15 cannot arrive soon enough" Wow! Heck of a trip you have planned. can't wait to hear about it once you get back. Lots of lakes in that list that are on my to do list. |
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Wayouttroy |
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Wintersguy80 |
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OCDave |
My goal is to do the same in the BWCA this summer. My work schedule allows me every other week off. I hope to be able to wake up, find an available entry point and be in the wilderness on day 1 of my off week. If I pre-pack my portage pack with my food, I can be at the nearest EP within 6 hours. If I reserve a permit at home, can I pick it up on the same day, several hours later at a cooperator? |
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Minnesotian |
airmorse: "Minnesotian: "airmorse: "Just booked Homer Lake August 6th thru the 9th. Looking for some quiet time and Im hoping Pipe lake will fulfill that. Heyo Airmorse, Just wondering if you were able to get down the Vern river. Hope you had a good trip. |
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bct |
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AmarilloJim |
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HighnDry |
TomT: "Hoaf: "Just returned from my first solo of 2019: 12 days - Stanton Bay entry, Nym exit, 15 lakes and a bushwack thrown in. Fabulous paddling conditions for 90% of the trip. Next extended solo will be the 2nd or 3rd week of September, probably up the falls chain and return via Agnes. I can't wait for the day I can trip in the early spring. My last spring trip was probably 1986 or so. I have a fascination with doing a bare bones trip but with only being able to do one trip a year I just don't want to chance not liking it. But my tackle box definitely gets smaller each trip. You'll like it, just take more clothes and a good winter bag :) or low-rated 3-season bag. |
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Paddle4Hike |
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Paddle4Hike |
Have fun! My plan. 3rd trip in the BW, all solo; Snowbank thru Disappointment, Ima, Thomas, Fraser, Sagus, Cap, Boulder, Adams. Beaver, Kawishiwi R. , Insula, Thomas and back. A big lollipop of 10 or 12 days, depending on layovers. Plan to fish this year. Here's to fresh fish for a meal!! PS. Maybe a side trip to PMA area, Raven Lake. |
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Minnesotian |
airmorse: "Just booked Homer Lake August 6th thru the 9th. Looking for some quiet time and Im hoping Pipe lake will fulfill that. I'll be curious about how far down the Vern River you get. I was on that a couple years ago and it just looks so tempting to go all the way to Weird Lake. |
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Chicagored |
There is a campsite I particularly love on Sarah Lake and if its not available, I may go up to McIntyre. |
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ducks |
Getting in the yearly daddy/daughter trip (little ducklings turn this year) and a family stay in a cabin on the Gunflint Trail were the 2 and most important trips that I could fit in. We also have our yearly Oct. MEA weekend stay in Grand Marais for the whole family. I am holding on to a tiny piece of hope that we will have a nice weekend at the end of Oct. and that I'll be able to sneak away for a short spur of the moment solo then. |
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GoBlue |
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egknuti |
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mapsguy1955 |
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HighnDry |
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BearBurrito |
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minnmike |
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Jaywalker |
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Frenchy19 |
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bwcasolo |
no hurry and no definite plans as i do not need to return any time soon. retirement trip for me. have a good trip french, nice area. pike lakes are beautiful. |
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landoftheskytintedwater |
anthonyp007: "I’m doing a July, 5 day bushwhack solo out of Lake One and heading straight east hoping to get to John Ek Lake. My return trip will loop me up through Makwa, Roe, and back west for a Snowbank exit. This sounds awesome. Good luck. Makwa is my favorite lake in the BWCA but I have yet to camp on it. Often a loon nest on the island just off the western campsite, which is a great spot although it's pretty exposed and has limited to no tarp options. Saw a bald eagle pluck a northern out of Makwa on the 4th of July on a day trip. And while reckless, I have cliff-jumped with friends there twice. Would not recommend after the kid died there 5 years ago or so, though. |
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LindenTree |
I wanted to go to Perent Lake via Hog Creek, but now decided on the Timber Frear loop outside of the BW. I'll leave on Tuesday after Memorial weekend for 2-3 nites, and take my Alley folding canoe. |
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minnmike |
TomT: "minnmike: " Also still trying to figure out if I'm gonna fish on this one. Luckily I have all summer to figure it out. " Tom I find that if I weighed all my fishing gear, oil, pan, and food to cook with the fish it is lighter to not fish. A dehydrated meal only weighs a few ounces. Plus if fishing I bring food just in case the bite isn't there anyway. So I really don't buy that argument. But, fishing is awesome and I love it so there's that. It's a tough call for me on a solo. My first solo was my first BW trip without fishing and surprisingly I didn't miss it much. I did learn there are a lot of other things to explore up there. |
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luft |
I ended up with a scheduled stretch of 6 days off so I'm headed in from Snowbank in early May if the ice is out! |
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TomT |
minnmike: "TomT: "minnmike: " Also still trying to figure out if I'm gonna fish on this one. Luckily I have all summer to figure it out. " I get that. For me I consider fishing a huge part of the experience. It's why I originally started going there. I HAVE wondered what a solo would be like to just go completely bare bones. A twig stove (no gas), no chair, no fishing, no radio, not even a camera. A book and journal would be the only luxuries. That would be very tough for me to do. I wonder how long I could last? |
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sedges |
Parking bunkhouse and breakfast at Tuscarora Outfitters with shuttle to Gull Lake. Saganaga, Knife, Ogishkemuncie, Gabimichigami, Little Saganaga, Tuscarora to end at Round at Tuscarora Outfitters or Cross River if I am still in a traveling mood.(and all the little lakes in between) Ten days 17 portages at first glance. |
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boonie |
First is a Baker Lake entry to Cherokee and back, mid-September. The second is a Moose River N to Iron Lake and back through Stuart, last week of September. Immediately after that, I drive straight from Ely to OR to help babysit the grandkids, then the wife and I drive back to WV, itinerary yet to be determined. On another topic, when I first started going I had to fish, have a campfire every night, cook more elaborate meals, take more camera equipment . . . I mean it's not camping and canoe tripping if you're not, right? After a while, I wasn't catching many fish, it was hard to fish solo in the wind, I was paying for a license, carrying 5 lbs. of stuff, not including a filet knife, frying pan, etc. I wanted to take longer trips, so I replaced that with 5 lbs. of food - simpler rehydrate-in-the-bag food -and dropped some kitchen paraphernalia weight. I went in under a fire ban and didn't have a fire. Didn't really miss it much - enjoyed the night sky, my night vision - so I dropped the hatchet and saw. Maybe have a small fire one night now. Got a waterproof P&S camera - take more pictures, not as high quality - and dropped some weight and bulk by leaving the other stuff. I read a trip report about a long solo where the guy said he didn't take a camera because it was a distraction. I haven't done that yet, but like TomT, I keep thinking about it. I take fewer pictures now, but still a lot. I can see where it's a distraction, but also where it makes me "see" things better sometimes. I still hear the siren call of more photo gear from time to time . . . I carry more food these days, but less weight. I have more time too, although it's hard to say what I do with it. I don't know where the time goes, but it just disappears. |
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minnmike |
" I get that. For me I consider fishing a huge part of the experience. It's why I originally started going there. I HAVE wondered what a solo would be like to just go completely bare bones. A twig stove (no gas), no chair, no fishing, no radio, not even a camera. A book and journal would be the only luxuries. That would be very tough for me to do. I wonder how long I could last? " Sorry OP to get off original topic.. Yes, fishing is a huge part for me too. The only reason I started tripping. And 20 years ago I wouldn't have even thought of going up without fishing in mind. But my first solo was a long one and to bring enough gear and all that goes with fishing, I would have had to triple portage. So for the first time ever I decided to go without fishing. Don't get me wrong there were times/places I would have loved to wet my line. Not fishing did give me the time to notice other things though. Exploring the woods, climbing to hill tops for views, more reading and relaxing, bird watching. I brought plant and mushroom guide books to learn more about them. Surprisingly I really enjoyed my trip. I do go up twice a year so I think from now on my summer trips with wife and or kids will be the fishing trip and fall solo's for everything else. As far as leaving the gas stove and camera behind, now your just being silly! My gas stove, chair and P&S camera weigh way less than my fishing gear. |
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TomT |
minnmike: " I was thinking of a simple, bare bones solo more from a mental aspect, not a weight thing. You know, force yourself to not have distractions like fishing or photography or even listening to the radio. A pure solo with just you, the weather, and your thoughts. Could be pretty tough. I guess a book is a distraction but without that I might go mad. |
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bfurlow |
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minnmike |
TomT: "minnmike: " That is an interesting idea. I did bring a radio for the first time on my solo and used it way more than I thought I would. I know I could go without a camera, but they are nice to help remembering a trip. I think the hardest time for not having a book is on those rainy, cold days when it's hard to do anything else. I think this idea would either create a very good or very bad experience. You would either love it or hate it. |
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Hoaf |
Troutbum: every solo trip, even though I've done a number of them, feels kind of intimidating and exciting. Particularly the ones right after ice-out. I like that. Over the last few trips, I find myself really whittling away at the gear, but I still double portage and sometimes triple depending on steepness of the portage (for the spring trip when I have the cold weather stuff). As far as fishing, like Tom said instead of thinking of fishing as "either or", maybe just pare it down some. This trip I only used 3 different lures and had fish for dinner every night. A hot fish dinner really rounds out the day for me. So, the tackle box is getting lighter and lighter. I'm also down to a two-piece rod that stows under the flap of a pack pretty nicely. Tom: I'm thinking along the same lines as your "bare bones" trip. My first draw was fishing, too. Had to have the depth finder, two rods, etc. etc., but that's changed a lot. I did bring the camera this last trip but only took maybe 2 dozen pictures, so maybe that's next. |
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Frenchy19 |
OCDave: "There are people who travel by showing up at the airport and buying a ticket to wherever seems appealing and has and affordable ticket available. Should be able to, but I would call a cooperator to see. Only glitch I can see is that flawless reservation system... |
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LindenTree |
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singlebladecanoe |
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TomT |
minnmike: " Also still trying to figure out if I'm gonna fish on this one. Luckily I have all summer to figure it out. " I would fish just for the meals you won't have to carry. One rod and reel and a small box of trolling lures should get you a few fish dinners. It's one of the finer things to do up there IMO. Bring 1/2 an onion in a zip lock, season, drip olive oil on the filets and wrap in foil for the fire. Eat right out of the foil for no mess. |
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Blatz |
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30Smoke |
Then a week with my cousin LIS North up to Tecukucmich - again not solo; following that up with 2 weeks in yellowstone with my wife - which takes up lots of vacation. If I survive all that, I may consider a solo trip the last week of sept, starting on the 21st for 7 days - thinking about trying Stuart again (the river is beautiful, except in the dark) - maybe get up to Iron. Other thought is going to Rose through Duncan and just explore and fish up there. Another option is take snowbank up to Knife and check out Dorothy's island of Pines and maybe sneak into Kekekabic for some trout. Final option is just paddle into Clearwater again and do some day hikes and day trips. I really like Clearwater area, but I've been there almost 3 times. Lots of places to go and not a lot of time to get there! Of course in the BWCA - there really is no final option, as the routes are limitless. But after taking 3 plus weeks off over the summer, I will have to put in lots of hours to get work caught up for this adventure! |
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TomT |
Hoaf: "Just returned from my first solo of 2019: 12 days - Stanton Bay entry, Nym exit, 15 lakes and a bushwack thrown in. Fabulous paddling conditions for 90% of the trip. Next extended solo will be the 2nd or 3rd week of September, probably up the falls chain and return via Agnes. I can't wait for the day I can trip in the early spring. My last spring trip was probably 1986 or so. I have a fascination with doing a bare bones trip but with only being able to do one trip a year I just don't want to chance not liking it. But my tackle box definitely gets smaller each trip. |
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jdddl8 |
My summer plan is to do my annual three week trip in late August with a tow from LAC to Brewer, down to Gardner Bay, up through Elk to Ted, down through Newt to Gardner Bay, Robinson, Sarah, Isabella, S chain, No Names to Reid, Woodside, Agnes, Kawnipi, Lemay(?) , Montgomery, Alice, Russell, Sturgeon, Bentpine, Burntside, Jean and out at Beaverhouse. |
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Troutbum77 |
This will be my second solo and I'm very excited. I loved the freedom to do what I wanted when I wanted during my trip last year. If I'm honest, my nerves are getting the better of me as I get closer to that trip - solo is still a little intimidating. That said, I've been through the Man Chain a lot (maybe a dozen times) so I know exactly what I'm getting in to. Right now, I'm weighting the pros and cons of bringing my fishing gear along. I'd like to single portage and cutting weight may override my desire for an occasional evening of fishing. |
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GraniteCliffs |
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TomT |
Chicagored: "There is a campsite I particularly love on Sarah Lake and if its not available, I may go up to McIntyre. " I stayed at the nice site at the narrows there on a solo in 2001. I'll be going there again around Sept. 1st. Not sure where I'll stay this time as I'll be with a few other solos. We'll be getting a tow out at PP on the 11th so look for four solo canoes going your way. |
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hobbydog |
If you are wondering where Whiteshell is you can look at my trip reports for my 2011 trip to Echo Lake. That was my first Canada solo and got me hooked on soloing. My first trip there was a fly-in fishing trip in 1970 when I was 13 years old with my dad and brother. He started going there in 1950. In 1971, they had to vacate the lease on the old trapper cabin they had as the park was going “wilderness”, much the same way as the BWCA did at about that time. He never went back. It was the end of an era. My thoughts will be with him on this trip. |
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Rob Johnson |
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Troutbum77 |
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duckcall |
I am hoping to catch my first lake trout, and I want to catch fish with lures that I have made, but I will take leeches as a back up. I finally broke down and bought an In Reach Explorer so my family will quit griping about me going solo. I haven't told them that it's capable of messaging them, just that it's for an emergency. To me, getting a bunch of text messages defeats the purpose of why I am going solo. I have been pouring over maps and past trip reports, but any tips on the area are appreciated! |
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airmorse |
anthonyp007: "I’m doing a July, 5 day bushwhack solo out of Lake One and heading straight east hoping to get to John Ek Lake. My return trip will loop me up through Makwa, Roe, and back west for a Snowbank exit. Very interested to hear about John Elk lake. |
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airmorse |
Minnesotian: "airmorse: "Just booked Homer Lake August 6th thru the 9th. Looking for some quiet time and Im hoping Pipe lake will fulfill that. Probably not far. I'm sure water levels will be low. I'll report back though. |
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airmorse |
Plan on exploring the Vern River too. |
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Hank |
I'd like to make it up to Kek, that is one of my favorite lakes. I haven't been up through Insula for many years so I'm looking forward to that. It has been 20 years or so since I've paddled that confusing lake. |
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Frenchy19 |
minnmike: " Here is an update on my solo plans. Negotiations are over with my lovely wife and it looks like we have a win/win. She will be going with her sister to Australia for 2 weeks in late august. I will be doing a 22 day solo Sept. 15th-Oct 7th. My trip by the way is much cheaper by about $5000. This also is good leverage for the next time I "need" some new gear. Excellent! One downside to being a teacher is that I cannot visit the BW nor Quetico during the shoulder seasons. Would love to head up there at the time frame you are looking at. Some day... |
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mooseplums |
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