Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Tow from Crane Lake to Beatty Portage
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Caboose |
We're planning a trip through Lac la Croix this summer and are using an outfitter near Crane Lake. They offer a motor boat tow service from Crane Lake to Beatty Portage, and then back for our return trip, for $700. This would allow us to avoid about 8 hours (each way) of paddling. Is it worth it? I've never been to this area, and unless the route is bombarded with motor boats, or always wind bound, or something like that, I just don't see the reason to pay this much for a tow. What do you all think? Does anybody have experience with this route? Should we paddle it or pay for the tow? Thanks in advance! -Caboose |
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airmorse |
The boat ride itself up the Loon River is sweet. Back in the day the bus driver would put down a 6 pack going over then pick up another 6 pack for the return. He must have gone thru 3 livers and half dozen kidneys. I'm assuming you are using Andersons. |
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timatkn |
Agree with others though if you can afford it...it is fun...if you are doing a south west Quetico entry it is almost the only way to access the park unless you can take 2 weeks off of work. T |
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airmorse |
snakecharmer: "airmorse: "Everyone should do it once for the experience. The bus ride is a "trip". And the mechanical portages are awesome!!! It's a shame the bus ride is no more. That was one crazy time. Story goes Stu lost the brakes at the end of the Dawson Portage once and the bus went for a swim. Gosh I feel old now. |
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airmorse |
PineKnot: "Wow....you saying Stu was pounding beer and drove the bus into the water?? Which Stu you talking about?" Not the same Stu. Never got the name of Mr. 6 pack. There were a few different bus drivers. The Stu I was referring to was a Zups employee at the time. |
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HighnDry |
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airmorse |
timatkn: "I wish “rocket Randy” was still was in business. He had the first jet boat and was almost half the price. He smoked 2 packs of lung darts each way (which might explain why he isn’t in business) but was entertaining and the ride was fun. Was that Scott's Jet Boat? |
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RatherbeDuffing |
We did some exploring of the portage on the east side of Crane. It looked like it was going to be more trouble than it was worth. Looked like the kinds of portages where you end in mud up to your chest. |
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unshavenman |
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PineKnot |
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marsonite |
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timatkn |
airmorse: "timatkn: "I wish “rocket Randy” was still was in business. He had the first jet boat and was almost half the price. He smoked 2 packs of lung darts each way (which might explain why he isn’t in business) but was entertaining and the ride was fun. Nah...it was through a resort. I don’t think they are even listed on Crane Lake tourism anymore. Maybe doesn’t exist. Used to advertise in the Boundary Waters Journal..—haven’t talked to them since 2010. T |
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lindylair |
Wanting to see the expanse of Lac La Croix is a worthy goal but there are other simpler and cheaper ways to go about it. If the tow is a cool "experience" - well I have taken long boat rides before, usually a means to an end and not something I would pay a lot of money for. Just got to wonder why this route with the potential negatives and cost involved? Maybe it is a bucket list thing for you, something you really want to do. If that is the case I hope it works out great and proves to be worth it, whether you paddle or pay for the tow. I would be thinking about all the cool gear I could have bought with that $700 the whole time. |
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billconner |
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cyclones30 |
So yes, the tow is pricey. But if 14's and 16's are all gone for the dates you can go....the river may be your next best option. |
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jwartman59 |
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snakecharmer |
airmorse: "Everyone should do it once for the experience. The bus ride is a "trip". And the mechanical portages are awesome!!! I agree with airmorse on this. I've done the Crane Lake to LLC shuttle three times...the first time in a jet boat. It is quite a ride! Very memorable! |
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bwcadan |
We sat around once for an additional four hours due to the bundling of incoming trippers. Anderson outfitters was not the company involved, but check just the same. |
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Voyager |
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OtherBob |
Zup's, a resort on a Canadian island, runs a van and truck across Dawson Portage when the Loon River depth is too low for their boats (at least that was the case several years ago). When that happens, they need to use 2 boats and two or more vehicle drivers to make the trip. The boat ride up the Loon River is more fun, though, and you experience the Loon Falls and Beatty mechanized portages. Paddling the Loon River does not look like fun, as paddlers' middle fingers were raised towards the boat drivers raising big wakes on the narrow stream. Enjoy the Lac La Croix trip, whichever way you get there. |
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cyclones30 |
If your only option is an EP 12 or whatever Crane Lake/Loon River is then I'd take the tow you talked about. It's a long paddle otherwise and although cool area, if there are other boats running it you will go for a ride when they go by. With the border closed, the farthest they can get you is just short of Snow Bay on LLC. I'd ask them if they'll make it cheaper if they just drop you at the dock at the lower end of the Beatty portage. It should be cheaper as it's a shorter run and they don't have to pay for that rail portage both ways. Super easy walk over mowed grass to the other side and you can paddle (as long as it's not super windy) to Snow Bay or wherever you want easily. I feel them dropping you basically on the edge of Snow Bay is almost cheating :) |