Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: BWCA & Quetico Entry Points & Routes
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Robdg |
TominMpls: "I don't fish so the paddling is the point of my trips, and I expect that changes perspectives. But Crane to Bottle is a *really long* way to get towed through paddling waters. From EP 55 to the Cache Bay ranger station is 8.5 miles paddling, about a half day, no portages, or else about a six mile tow, followed by an hour's paddle. From EP 25 to Prairie Portage is 7 miles paddling or towed, again no portages before Prairie Portage itself. The Crane to Bottle tow is many times that far. That's why it costs so much. Why are you looking at Bottle specifically? LLC is probably logistically the hardest of the Quetico ranger stations, with or without a motor." Thank you TominMpls that makes sense. The Crane to Bottle option was really about going through a Canadian outfitter located on LLC that we used in the past. I need to invest in the Beymer book mentioned by others who replied. |
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A1t2o |
The trip reports talk about the length of the trip, the distance traveled each day, if they pushed themselves to go further, and weather they experienced. Reading through those will give you more of a comprehensive understanding of what you might be capable of and what to expect. The outfitters often have route suggestions on their websites. This will give you an idea for the length of a trip and key lakes that you might want to visit. You aren't going to get an understanding of something as complex as the boundary waters without putting in some effort and going on trips. I've been going on yearly trips and a member of this forum for 6 years now and I don't even have a fraction of the information you are asking for. Focus on your first trip and don't worry about making it the best trip possible. All that matters is getting out there, details that make trips great for some of us with more experience are minor compared to the experience of being out there. You are never going to see everything in one trip, just take the time to appreciate what you do see. |
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Robdg |
I'm planning for a BWCA, or possibly Quetico, canoe trip for a total of 4 including my 2 adult sons who have never visited this part of the world. I am a veteran of both parks but I've not visited in many years. If a summary as described doesn't exist then maybe someone here might have ideas on my current problem. Based on some information I have gathered so far, the easiest & possibly only way to get to Bottle Portage is to tow from Crane Lake for significant (~$250+) cost per person round trip. While other tows to say Prairie Portage are much less expensive. Is there another option on getting to Bottle? I am looking to find the sweet spot of a Quetico Entry Point that doesn't break the bank or require huge paddling or portaging time. Thanks in advance! |
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TominMpls |
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Robdg |
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Robdg |
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Robdg |
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Robdg |
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Robdg |
billconner: "As stated what you ask for doesn't really exist. Many recommend the Beymer (sp?) books. Many route ideas. Thank you billconner! I like the idea you shared but we will have about 5-6 days in the water this trip. However I am going to look at variations of the Prairie Portage option. |
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Robdg |
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Robdg |
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unshavenman |
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bobbernumber3 |
Robdg: "Haha true bobbernumber3!!! I'll get smarter about replying. :D" Good question and discussion. Welcome to the board. Next question? |
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Robdg |
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RLJ |
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bobbernumber3 |
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billconner |
Tow to Washington Island and then about 55 miles to EP16. I'm 68 and can do 10-12 miles a day - average including a layover every 5-6 days - so seems doable. Just for more campsite selection and eliminating worry about finding sites, I'd probably do 3 or 4 days on Q permit, and pick up a BWCA EP71 for exit to EP16. Yes, some money for tow but much less than Crane to LLC. And the whole Q expense and RABC stuff but an option that gets to Crooked and Bottle and other great places. |
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bombinbrian |
Again if I'm not understanding this, please ignore this post. |
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Robdg |
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Robdg |
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Z4K |
I'm sorry mate, but a concise summary of all available trips and routes simply does not exist. There are however many websites out there, with this one at the forefront, that can provide all of the information you are looking for. I'd start with the 'Search' function, or maybe the "Maps & Entry Points" tab at the top of your screen. There are many trip reports here describing routes in detail, as well as countless threads of people asking similar information to what you are asking for. There have also been many books published on this topic. The Boundary Waters Journal is a quarterly magazine dedicated to answering questions like yours that has been published since 1987. They have all of their articles available online for a fee as well as back issues available for sale. Large collections of back issues are also commonly found on Craigslist in MN. The Crane-Bottle tow is expensive because it is over 45 miles. I agree with everything Tom said. How long of a trip are you planning? What are your priorities: scenery, fishing, challenge, solitude? Don't post them here right away. Figure it out and search around for a while first, or call an outfitter. They are in the business of answering these questions; everyone else on this site is not. Bottle Portage (on the cheap!) is only: 12.3 miles of paddling and 7 portages totaling 570 rods from EP16 Moose River North. 10.7 miles of paddling and 10 portages totaling 1252 rods from EP19 Stuart River. 15.5 miles of paddling and 12 portages totaling 1730 rods from EP20 Angleworm Lake via the Beartrap River. The first two options should be do-able in one day. If they are not, you should travel somewhere else to build your group's skills before embarking on a long trip into a remote part of the Q. If you are worried about how much it costs, you should know that (unless you are a Canadian citizen) permits for the Quetico are much more expensive than the BWCA. I recommend that you search around and find a BWCA route that fits, try it out, and shoot for the Quetico in 2021. |
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straighthairedcurly |
Western BWCA book covers entry points off the Echo Trail, Fernberg Road, and State Highway 1. It goes as far east as EP 35 (Isabella Lake) Eastern BWCA book covers entry points off the Sawbill Trail, Gunflint Trail, and Arrowhead Trail. It starts with EP 36 (Hog Creek) and moves east from there. |
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dex8425 |
If you really want to do bottle portage, the easiest way to get there is from the BWCA Moose River North entry point. Very doable in one day. You can also get there from Stuart River (ep 19) but that requires a pretty long portage to begin your trip. |
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straighthairedcurly |
rdgbwca: "billconner: "As stated what you ask for doesn't really exist. Many recommend the Beymer (sp?) books. Many route ideas. +1 |
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bobbernumber3 |
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VoyageurNorth |
there are 3 Beymer books for this area. One is BWCA East, one is BWCA West and one is Quetico Park. I know that Robert Beymer updated his Western side of the BWCA book a few years ago, not sure about the others. |
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Robdg |
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bombinbrian |
dex8425: Its about the same distance either way from these entry points, about 13 miles, but Stuart is about 2.4 miles longer portaging |
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billconner |
Since you mention Bottle Portage, one of my favorite trips was tow to Prairie Portage (I'd paddle today, don't like tows and like to paddle), to Basswood Falls, along border, across LLC, and a shutlle pick up at EP 14 LIS north. About 10 leisurely days iirc. You could shorten with tow to Washington Island and Shuttle from EP16. We did a combo of Q and BWCA but could easily be all BWCA. The Q from Basswood Falls to LLC simplified campsites and made Rebecca Fall 100% legal. You would not be disappointed. Pictos, falls, great fishing reportedly - I dont fish. Thinking about it I want to do it again. |
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rdgbwca |
billconner: "As stated what you ask for doesn't really exist. Many recommend the Beymer (sp?) books. Many route ideas. I just got the Beymer books this past fall/winter. They are probably the closest thing to having a table of entry points and common routes from the entry points. West Region East Region |
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Robdg |
rdgbwca: "billconner: "As stated what you ask for doesn't really exist. Many recommend the Beymer (sp?) books. Many route ideas. Hi billconner I have a few questions about the Beymer books that Amazon didn't appear to help answer. What is the approximate dividing line between the East and West books? I think I need the West side but I want to confirm. Secondly, do the routes specified in the book include Quetico Park at all? Thanks in advance, Rob |
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Jackfish |
Also, your Guest moniker says Robdg. You aren't, by chance, related to Dr. Bob who was a longtime member here, are you? His board moniker was DrBobdg. |
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Robdg |
Jackfish: "Hey Rob... why not take about two minutes and register with the site? It's free... it's painless... and we aren't that bad of a group to hang with. :) Absolutely Jackfish! I will sign up now. No I am not related but I wish I had a Dr. in the family. :) |