Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: First Time With Kids
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johndku |
I'm assuming you're much larger and heavier than your 10 year old son, and trying to paddle into the wind with the front of the canoe sticking up in the air will get you nowhere,,,,trust me, I've been there. |
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jillpine |
The crowds and mosquitos will be gone, but the risk of death by hypothermia takes their places. Paddle close to the shore and don't take your son out into windy lake conditions this time of year. Quality rain gear, layered clothing (see thread in solo tripping folder) and the right footwear. Watch the weather report. Hopefully you hit those golden fall days, but be careful if the weather looks / turns raw. |
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TuscaroraBorealis |
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HayRiverDrifter |
The two boys both carried packs that weighed about 15 pounds (backpacking pack and a CCS Ruck). They had all their clothes, sleep systems, and tent poles. Tent body was in adult pack. They also carried paddles and small 2 gallon buckets with food in one and crawlers in the other. They did great. The Dad and I carried our packs and the boats. We stayed at the first site up the western shore. The site was great. The boys did some parcore running up the rocks, they played cards in their tent, we play a bit of hide and seek, did some fishing and caught a few bass. They started the fires a few times and helped a lot with cutting wood. It was a very successful first trip. It worked really well to have two 10 yr olds on the trip because they had a partner to play with the whole time. |
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Cfguy |
Abbey: "We took our 7yo and 5yo to Daniels this year, and it was a great first trip for them. The portage is a bit longer than 30yds, but an easy path. Lots of little SMB to keep the kids busy. Sawbill entry would also give a lot of options. Thanks for the great ideas! If you don't mind me asking, what does "SMB" stand for? I'm hoping by going in October most of the skeeters will be gone and the crowds will have died down. |
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Cfguy |
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alpinebrule |
I would not choose that time of year to trip with young children. I have been tripping with my daughter since she was about that age. It MAY be nice weather but just as likely cold, wet and windy. (Aside from the considerations of tripping with a partner who is not much more than ballast in bad water.) Those conditions will be hard on a person of smaller body mass and experience. Do you have clothing and gear for him to be comfortable with actual highs in the low 40s and a wind-chill in the 30s the whole time? Those have been what I have faced that time of year lately. Even this year, the week after Labor Day, I experienced cloudy weather and highs in the 50s for an entire week. Think drug dealer mentality. Make his first trip a great one and he will be hooked. :) If you do go, be prepared to call it and trip another day for their sake. |
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Abbey |
October weather could be cold. Just be ready for it, but also no shame in waiting until next year if cold is a concern for your first timer. |
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johndku |
From Red Rock you can also go down into Alpine, another good fishing lake. It's a 40-something rod portage as I remember, but not too tough. No reason a 10 year old can't help with the portaging, that will make him feel he's contributing. My son was carrying his own pack, (small) at 8 years old. |
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SevenofNine |
Why not try Slim lake? Your son will dig the drive up the hill off the main road and down the forest road to the entry point. Easy 95 rod portage and very scenic even if you stay just on Slim otherwise portage into Rice. You will really enjoy the entry point and portage on a sunny day as I find it very scenic. Baker lake entry is another easy route as well. I would at least paddle and portage to Jack. Check out Weird lake on a day trip. Don't forget to have your son involved and carry his own small pack even if all he carries is some water and his clothing, inflatable mattress pad or light gear. Make sure he has his stuff in the pack waterproofed like in a small garbage bag or dry bag. Have a great trip. |
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x2jmorris |
Here you have a 9 rod portage to give an idea of portaging. The rest of the way in is a river that is super easy to navigate and takes about 2 hours to get through it. Then you are on the lake. 1 portage and 2 hours of paddling in which is a little ways away from civilization. Perent is also a really nice lake. Good fishing. And in October it won't be filled up like it is in the summer months. Surprisingly enough with all the trips I have done there I only know what the islands sites are like. Those are the ones I would aim for but other sites might be just as good. You could even do a day trip to the burned down area. A few short portages with just a canoe is easily done and could be considered an adventure. So many other great things about this lake especially in October. Feel free to ask if it seems like a good spot :) |
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joeandali |
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Cfguy |
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bwcadan |
Take a bag or barrel for protecting food at night. Be sure to get child paddles as they will start off gung ho to paddle. Expect diminishing returns from this. Make it about him/them and all should go well. Ask your outfitter about them or see Wal-Mart, etc. Take a bug whacker for intense battles in season against mosquitoes in the tent. This can be fun and sleeping is better if you win. In addition, you will have less blood on tent walls. They are moisture sensitive, so bag separately and keep dry if you want to use them. One per tent for obvious reasons. |
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Cfguy |
Ideally, I'd like to find a great basecamp for the two nights we have available since he's only been out in the canoe once before, but still get far enough out to have a genuine "wilderness" experience. Also- because I'll be doing most of the carrying, a no portage access or very short (30 rods or less?) access portage is ideal. Any suggestions on entry points would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! |
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bwcadan |
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Captn Tony |
Also one of the nicest campsites in the area is on Parent Lake if you want something a little less ambitious. The campsite # is 1479. |
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johndku |
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Cfguy |
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lindylair |
But there are others as well, Sawbill is another good option but also consider Kawishiwi Lake. The Homer Lake entry has 3 campsites on the lake, two of which are before you even technically enter the BWCA but they are all pretty nice. Two short portages will bring you to Vern lake which is nice and good fishing. The Vern River is a great daytrip for adventure and fishing. We just returned from Slim lake - we take entries like this because we are at the other side of the age spectrum and don't wish to work too hard on the way in. Very easy 95 rod portage in and 4 campsites to choose from. Very pretty lake and good smallie fishing. The fall colors were starting to pop pretty good in spots already last week. Just a thought but some sort of portage would add to your sons experience and understanding of the way things work up there, especially with a little explanation from you. If they are short and manageable and the load is reasonable, they are just a nice walk in the woods. |