Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Entry Point Launch Procedures
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papalambeau |
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Bjfinnegan |
Was checked at the West end of Ensign on our way out one year. Easy access for Rangers to boat to the drop-point on Sucker and paddle in 2 portages to patrol a very popular lake like Ensign that is also an EP at Sucker. Checked the papers of each person and on our way. |
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Twins87 |
Three times on Sawbill, two of them just a month apart last summer. Once on Lake Three (where we were visited by the DNR on the water - are you fishing, do you have cans or glass in that mini cooler, is your canoe licensed? ) and the Forest Service for our permit. Once on the portage landing from Horseshoe in to Gaskin when we were exiting. We ran in to a Forest Service crew on the portage itself, talked with them quite a bit about our trip and the campsite work they were heading to do on Gaskin. I realized as we went our separate ways that they hadn't asked to see our permit. We double portage so our canoe was already at the end they came from... with the permit in the map case attached to the canoe. They had clearly turned over the map case and found the permit! That's where we keep ours - attached to the canoe so we are never on the water without it. And once when we were on a daytrip to Rose Falls. Glad we had filled out the day permit. I carry several with me in my daypack but have forgotten to fill it out when just doing a daytrip in and out. Have a great trip... all good advice from others on permit pickup, landing and portage etiquette, etc. |
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Jaywalker |
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analyzer |
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PeaceFrog |
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mjmkjun |
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Jaywalker |
analyzer: "Some entry points require a vehicle payment, like the county lot on Sag. ……" To be clear, isn’t that the only pay lot? Every entry I’ve been to has open, free parking (including Lake One). |
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dustytrail |
I guess I've made up for you. I have been checked about 20 times in about 50 trips. One trip I was checked twice. |
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wxce1260 |
analyzer: " Guaranteed. You will only do this once. #personalexperience. |
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MikeinMpls |
Mike |
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gshark |
For the record, I have my permit reserved and am NOT looking for help cheating the system, just want an idea what I need to do. ;) |
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plander |
Keep the portage trails and put-in/take-out area clear of your gear/canoes so others can pass. Keep the permit with you on your person or close by the whole trip... you never know if you will encounter a USFS ranger that will ask to see while you are in the backcountry. I've never been asked to show an overnight permit in the BWCA or Quetico in 20 years. |
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cyclones30 |
If you're wanting an early start, pick up permit the day before at a cooperator nearby. (outfitter normally, list is on the .gov site) You can change your reservation to be picked up at one of these. A place like Voyageur North outfitter in Ely has MUCH earlier and later hours they're open than a ranger station that depending on the day might have banker's hours. We typically drive up the day before, pick up any last minute things, permit, bait, etc. Eat, sleep, and get up bright and early and head right to the entry point if all goes well. I've been on the water before 6 once doing this if you really want to get out early before wind or people etc. But in general, no you can't do anything with a kiosk at the entry in the paddle season. There is a sign and map and rules and such there typically. But no paperwork or pay here or anything. You need the permit before you show up. (unless it's like a Sawbill permit and you're picking up from Sawbill Outfitter right there) |
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Jaywalker |
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Northwoodsman |
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brux |
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GopherAdventure |
If you want to be on the water early, get your permit the day before and you could legally enter the wilderness anytime after midnight. I have an EP 30 permit for May 16th. I’ll get the permit Sunday evening at my cooperating outfitter, spend the night at my cabin, and shove off from Lake One at first light the next morning. That’s how I typically do things, especially if it’s a popular entry like Lake One. Something about shoving off as the sun rises just feels right. Enjoy your first time, I’m sure it won’t be your last. Tony |
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thegildedgopher |
Jaywalker: "analyzer: "Some entry points require a vehicle payment, like the county lot on Sag. ……" There are 2 different lots for Sag, you pay for both of them. But yeah, I think that's the exception to the rule. |
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analyzer |
I don't bring my keys into the boundary waters. I hide them in a zip lock near the vehicle, and show one other person where I hid them. I always have a hide-a-key on my vehicle as well. I don't want to get 60 miles from the nearest locksmith, and lock my keys in the car, or lose them in the lake. I hide a cc or some cash someplace in the vehicle. I always pack a take home bag of clothes, and toiletries, and leave them in the car. Between the clothes, keys, and cash, I know even if I capsize and lose everything, if I can just find my way back to the car, i can get home, and I'll have something warm and dry to put on. I was in the 99 blow down. The tents got flattened. All the poles were broken. The sleeping bags, and clothes were drenched. It was nice knowing we just had to get back to the car, and we had something dry to put on. I've never had anyone break into my car, in 50 trips. I think I've only heard it once on this site as well. It's very rare. Don't forget the worms in your car. Don't forget the map in your car. Don't leave leftover food in your car. Don't buy new lures at the Beaverhut in GrandMarais, and leave them in the car. Not that I've done any of those things. |