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sedges
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The paddle to Red Rock is the easiest route on the lake as far as wind. Lots of islands and points to dodge behind is you end up on a breezy day. Three hours at the most unless you are fishing along the way. The tough route is NW up to Cache Bay or the western end of the lake. Wide open areas up there get rough regularly.
Saganaga is a beautiful lake and I always enjoy paddling it.
Get an early start if you can. Most mornings are calm. Read the recent posts about bears on Red Rock and Alpine. Handle your food carefully and keep a clean camp. Absolutely nothing in the tent with a scent, including toothpaste, soap, flavored chapstick and the clothes you were wearing when you cleaned that fish. If you leave the camp to go fishing take your food with you. These bears seem to be good at getting packs down from good hanging sets given enough undisturbed time.
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minnmike
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I too have paddled and taken the tow. If you are gonna paddle it's best to get an early start. Check with V.O. and see if they know what Sag looks like that morning. If it's windy see if they can give you a tow. I have been on tows where it was scary rough in the tow boat. I have paddled a glassy Sag in a canoe.
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Rookie313
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Thanks guys for all the great info. Weather permitting we will be paddling!
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Rookie313
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Has anybody ever paddled Saganaga from EP 55 to Red Rock? How long does normally take? Or should I pay for a tow to avoid the hassle?
Thx in advance!
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johndku
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Depends on what you're trying to get accomplished. It’s probably a 2.5 to 3 hour paddle under decent conditions, but the wind can kick up out of the west on Sag, sometimes enough to keep you off the water.
If you’re trying to go deep into the BWCA on day one, I’d take the tow. Not sure where you’re headed, but if you’re going through Red Rock, Alpine, Jasper, etc., the lakes are smaller after Sag and a pretty good number of campsites on those lakes. If permits are available, you can also enter at Seagull and head thru Alpine to Red Rock. That’s an enjoyable paddle.
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airmorse
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Its the boundary waters CANOE area. Paddle the three hours relax and enjoy.
We are entering the same and paddling. Spending time on Sag, Red Rock, Alpine, maybe Jasper, then, Seagull.
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RT
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I have canoed that many a time. You can avoid the tow boat. I have actually completed the entire loop route in a day. Here is a link to Seagull Outfitters description of the loop route and it sort of breaks down all of the times and such.
Red Rock Base Camp Loop
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loneranger
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I have paddled and taken the tow from EP55. I WOULD TAKE THE TOW!!!! Just take the tow.
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Boppasteveg
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Save the time and get a tow from Seagull Outfitters! It's totally worth the money IMH. The portage into Red Rock is a whopping 10 rods and then you're off.
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straighthairedcurly
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I have never taken a tow. I prefer to paddle only. However, it really depends on the time you have available, how experienced you are navigating on big lakes, and what your other goals are for the trip. We are going in at EP55 in August and will paddle our way around to exit at Seagull. Just a quick 2 night trip to introduce my son's girlfriend to the BWCA. He didn't want her 1st trip to have much portaging.
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Boppasteveg
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airmorse: "Its the boundary waters CANOE area. Paddle the three hours relax and enjoy.
We are entering the same and paddling. Spending time on Sag, Red Rock, Alpine, maybe Jasper, then, Seagull. "
Hey! There's no need to get ugly about it. Yes, yes, yes...we all know that it's called "CANOE" area. No kidding. By taking a tow we are also supporting outfitters who depend on people who do CANOE AND use some of their other services. To each their own.
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airmorse
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Boppasteveg: "airmorse: "Its the boundary waters CANOE area. Paddle the three hours relax and enjoy.
We are entering the same and paddling. Spending time on Sag, Red Rock, Alpine, maybe Jasper, then, Seagull. "
Hey! There's no need to get ugly about it. Yes, yes, yes...we all know that it's called "CANOE" area. No kidding. By taking a tow we are also supporting outfitters who depend on people who do CANOE AND use some of their other services. To each their own."
I did not feel my post was "ugly" in the slightest. I apologize if I have offended you.
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