Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Moose Lake Paddle/no tow
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OldTripper |
Have a great trip! |
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pswith5 |
jwartman59: "You don’t mention whether the newbies have paddling experience. I highly recommend getting out in canoes prior to paddling moose lake. If moose lake is windy it is not the time to be figuring out the J stroke."it's a good idea if limited paddling experience to get out and practice. One thing to remember; your canoes will be more stable with gear than without. Assuming properly liaded, and not over-loaded. Fortunately, you have a fair amount of time to get prepared. Pete |
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mmrocker13 |
One of the most miserable paddles ever was coming back from knife a few years ago. It was rainy, super windy, and cold (upper 40s/low 50s). Wind right in our face, couldn't see much between the rain and the up and down on the white caps...and after we yelled at a boat of drunk (I assume) dudes who buzzed us, they CONTINUED to buzz us (intentionally). That was september :D |
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billconner |
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OMGitsKa |
I should add I think the tow is necessary if you are trying to push to SAK. If you are just going for the isle of pines area then nah yeah probably not. |
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rbcevergreen |
While only half of our group has experience in the bdub, they all have at least some watercraft (canoe/kayak) experience. At least half have been through the portaging experience, too -- four of us doing the mile portage on Basswood last year. We'll be meeting later this summer to coordinate our packing/meals/etc, and I'll present this trip to them at that time. I'll look at the return through Vera and Ensign, too. Some new scenery and new lakes would be nice, but I'm not sure they'll want to tackle the longer portages. A good option, though. We'll definitely keep our options open, and always modify if needed. I'm not one to take a chance with the weather, so if the winds start howling, we'll hunker down till it blows through. Again, thanks for your replies. It's very useful being able to discuss things here and get information from others who have more experience. Hoping you all have a great summer, and I'll try and post a trip report once we make our trip in September. |
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pkrien |
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Cricket67 |
Our (Very) tentative plan: Day 1(Wed): Paddling out of William and Halls where we will be bunking, shoot for Knife lake near Isle of the Pines. Plan may be adjusted if we take longer than expected to get to Birch. Day 2: Assuming we made it to Knife, we will spend the day doing day trips, fishing, etc. If not we will travel to Knife. Either way, we should be able to climb up Thunder Point this day. Day 3: Travel day to Ensign. Day 4: Day trips from Ensign, fishing, etc. Day 5: Paddle back to William and Halls. I have paddled on Moose with favorable winds and it can be a very nice paddle. I have also paddled on Moose with wind shooting up the lake and it is....memorable. Regarding wind direction, I would bet that there is significant wind blowing SW to NE on the lake 7 days out of 10. 2 days there may be little of no wind, and 1 day where there is wind going the other way. |
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TuscaroraBorealis |
You can never predict how the wind/weather is going to be that far out. Generally speaking, the Moose Lake chain is a good long stretch of unobstructed paddling up to the border. The reason most people get a tow is to get to the non-motorized zone quicker. Moose can be like a water highway with boats buzzing back and forth. |
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rbcevergreen |
Getting a tow is not an option for our group of nine (three 3-person canoes), and we're locked in for Moose Lake. I want to get the group out of the motor zone, and am thinking of heading up to Knife Lake. I've got a couple questions, and am open to any advice that would help make this trip more enjoyable. About half of our trip will be newbies. I'll be the most seasoned BWCA person on the trip, with only 3 trips under my belt. Questions: 1) Does anyone actually paddle Moose Lake? (I'm sure some do, but just finding it frustrating reading the trip reports, all beginning with a tow.) 2) I think I've read that the winds come out of the SW in this area, so that means we'll have wind at our backs going in, but be coming into the wind our whole way out. Is this an accurate assessment of the wind directions for this trip? I know winds can vary greatly, but just wondering what you think winds will be like on Moose, Birch, and Knife this time of year. 3) Does Moose to Knife (up to Thunder Point) sound reasonable for a 5 day/4 night trip? I'm thinking camping one night somewhere between Moose and Knife, two nights on Knife, and then the final night back towards (or on Moose). Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks. |
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AmarilloJim |
I would go all the way to Knife, it's not that far. Maybe come back through Vera and Ensign if you can do a little longer portaging. Winds are variable but generally from the SW. 3 person canoes can paddle wind easier. |
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x2jmorris |
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Gaidin53 |
If things are going well then push through to Knife. My crew with Northern Tier in 2019 paddled that whole way and made it into Knife camping right by the isle of pines on day day 1. Day 1 Birch Lake. Day 2 and 3 Knife. Day 4 somewhere back towards Moose and then out day 5. You could swing through to Vera and out Ensign doing a loop. Little longer portages then but both Vera and Ensign are pretty lakes and worth seeing! Ryan |
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mmarksnp |
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bwcadan |
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straighthairedcurly |
I did a 2 day, 1 night solo last fall as a quick weekend getaway. Put on Moose Lake at 7:30 am, and went the long way around to Ensign (Moose, Newfound, Sucker, Birch, Frog, Trident, Ensign). Reached Ensign by noon or so. Paddled out the short way the next morning and was on the road back to the Cities by 11:30 am or so. On my way out, I had a pretty steady wind from the southwest. I stayed near shore and used whatever shore features I could to limit my exposure. I think your trip plan is very reasonable. Watch the weather as you get closer. If there are going to be really strong winds on your entry or exit day, then consider other options. Stay flexible on your plan. |
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Savage Voyageur |
If you must paddle this lake you probably won’t have a problem going in, because the winds will be at your back. But coming out you will want to start paddling early and be off the lake by 10:00 AM. I’ve been on Moose many times before and it’s always rocking and rolling from the winds. |
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billconner |
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jwartman59 |
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Frenchy19 |
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Cc26 |
Savage Voyageur:It would be $630 for your group to take the tow with a tip. What is a good/generous tip amount...say from VCO to Red Rock....asking for a friend... |
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mpswid0 |
Cc26: "Savage Voyageur:It would be $630 for your group to take the tow with a tip. We do $10/person. Which probably is in the middle, I’m sure there are some that tip more and some that don’t tip at all. Matt |
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Hank |
I will say that the towboats can be annoying but most gave me space and were aware of their wake. I’m glad I paddled moose as it is a nice lake and had many open campsite. |
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Savage Voyageur |
Cc26: "Savage Voyageur:It would be $630 for your group to take the tow with a tip. I tip 20% no matter where the tow goes. Calculate the amount before the trip and collect tip money from group members for both tow out and tow back. Then make one person the tip person. Everyone stores there wallet in the bottom of their packs and not easily available. Most tow guys are young kids working and appreciate the money. |
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outsidethebox |
That said, if this is a stout, fit group who is better at portaging than paddling go straight up through Vera to the South Arm-in a day. Otherwise, what is the collective goal of this trip? |
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timatkn |
I think many get a tow for a variety of reasons. Myself I just don’t consider motorized lakes part of my boundary waters experience. I can paddle with motor boats on lakes with cabins on them at home…I want out of he motor zone as quick as possible and a tow accomplishes that. The motors are here to stay so either I get over it and paddle or I can use one to get away… T |
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Blatz |
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