Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: EP 14 LOOP COUNTERCLOCKWISE
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Deeznuts |
Day 1: EP14 to Hustler Lake Day 2: Hustler to Range Line Lake via the Sioux Hustler trail, day trip backpacking too and from Day 3: Hustler Lake to GeBe Day 4: GeBe to Takucmich via Laq La Croix (if weather permits, or go through pocket, finger, and the beartracks if wind is too bad) Day 5: Taku to Fat Day 6: Lay over day Day 7: Fat to Loon via the unmarked slim Portage Day 8: Loon to EP, out by 3PM Few questions regarding the loop I have planned 1) Is it realistic to make it to Hustler in 1 day? We are single portaging and in our late 20s. 2 of us have already done Lynx to the EP in 6 hours so I feel like its doable. 2) How many miles is the hike to Range Line from Hustler? 3) Is it going to be poor planning to try to go out through Laq La Croix to get to Takucmich? I know the wind picks up in the afternoon but we were hoping we would be able to cross that bay if we stay close to shore. 4) Any parts of the trip you noticed that I should avoid? |
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cyclones30 |
On your way out you may see boats on Loon. (and they can compete with you for campsites) So check little loon first. It should be an easy half day or less for your trip from Loon back to the EP |
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boonie |
(2) Can't help with that. (3) Possibly, but since you have an option you can leave that decision until then. Personally I would just go through Finger and Beartrack, which is a really nice stretch. (4) Not really, but I did not go through Fat. When I did it 14 years ago that was not even mentioned. I went CW from Slim to North to Steep, which is another option. It's really nice country and should be a great trip. Have fun. |
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Noslen |
2) Don't know, sorry 3) Should be no problem. Have hit calm weather as well as miserable wind and waves. If you leave early easy to make it or change your direction. If you want advice, unless you want to make a detour to pictographs on LLC pocket/finger/beartrack is more enjoyable for less people and more changing scenery. LLC might be better for fishing (lake trout). Believe Pocket/Finger/Beartrack is better for solitude. 4) Have Fun |
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Cricket67 |
1) Getting to Hustler on Day 1 is maybe a bit aggressive but doable assuming weather cooperates. My only concern would be getting a site on Hustler later in the afternoon if it is crowded. Probably not an issue with 5 sites on the lake but just something to keep in mind. I like the idea of doing a day trip on the hiking trail! 2) My guess here is probably as good as yours. Looks like about 2 miles one-way. I suggest going to the hiking sub group for any posts on the Sioux-Hustler trail. Unless the trail is in really bad condition you should be able to hike there, hang out for a couple hours, and still make it back by mid afternoon. 3) My suggestion would be to watch the weather and decide either the night before or that morning which way to go. Going East to West in the afternoon on LLC could be rough, but if you get an early start I think you could be at the Taku portage by late morning. In general, it's good to be flexible and be able to go to a plan B or C if necessary. 4) I really look forward to how others may answer this one. My question would be more is there anything along this route that we don't want to miss! FWIW As a fairly out of shape 53 year old (I prefer well seasoned) going solo here is my tentative plans. I also have a couple less days than you. As of now I don't have any lay-over days planned, but I also should be finding my campsites in the early to mid afternoon, so I will have time to relax/fish/explore in the evenings. Day 1 (Wednesday, May 19th) - Early start after driving up the day before. EP14 to Lynx Day 2 - Lynx to Oyster Day 3 -Oyster to Finger through Gebe. Day 4 - Finger to Fat Day 5 - Fat to Lower Pauness Day 6 - Lower Pauness to EP14. Out by noon for a shower, lunch, and the drive back to the cities. |
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sns |
2) 2.5 miles, I think. ish. 3) If not windy, I'd try LLC. But the interior route is indeed nice too, just longer if wind is not a factor. 4) We exited from Finger on that same spring trip, went thru Fat, did the Fat-Slim portage for the second time in a week, went through Little Loon and past two open sites there, planning to lay up on Loon for an exit the following day. Mistake. Ended up back at EP14 at dark, as every site was full...was a brutal day, and we finished with a two-mile sprint (we left a wake!) to get back before all light was gone. We were gassed. Find your site early on that last full day. |
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Deeznuts |
The last time we came from lynx we were with a bigger group, with older men, and more gear. This trip, I'm hoping, will be vastly different from our last. More ground covered, less anxiety about the route, easier portaging with lighter packs. Of course we did stop on our way back in at the little waterfall and pool off the EP trail for a last minute scrub down. We were all smelling pretty ripe by the end and didnt want to endure the 22 hour car ride home smelling like hobos. |