Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Permit dilemma
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TreeBear |
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straighthairedcurly |
I have a feeling things are going to settle down a little bit this next year anyway. Could be wrong, but with covid restrictions gone and the hype over decreasing the number of permits gone by, and Quetico open, I think there might be less craziness. |
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Northwoodsman |
Stay on an entry point lake like Brule or Sawbill. List everyone on the permit. I think this is legal. |
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bhouse46 |
Another voice for be flexible. I also have had good luck watching permits once a date could be determined allowing a day either way. Many times I did not get my first choice, but I have yet to find a bad ep. I think a 2-3 week period is adequate to find a suitable EP. And be flexible on when. While June and July have a lot to offer, each season has its own special benefit. And taking vacation when everyone else is taking vacation makes it hard to schedule on both ends. |
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Duckman |
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merlyn |
We should be able to narrow things down a bit by permit time in January (trip in mid-June or mid-July),but having a set day is not going to happen five or six months in advance and waiting till the last second to score a permit is a bad idea too. A two or three week window before the trip start date is the best we can hope for. I could finagle the system and secure several permits for a couple of different EPs on different dates. (There are ways to do it as we all know.) I want this trip to happen, but not that way. WHAT WOULD YOU DO? There has to be a solution that doesn't involve bending the rules. HELP! Thanks, Merlyn |
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Michwall2 |
1. Does it have to be one trip? Would breaking it into 2 (or 3) make it easier to work around schedules? 2. Be flexible about where you go. Last year I got a permit in late April/early May for an August trip. It wasn't our first choice for an entry but we made it work. 3. As several pointed out last year, there was a certain percentage of permits that were cancelled from 4-10 days before entry date. You may get lucky and find something more to your liking the closer you get. I know that makes it harder to work with an outfitter and bunkhouse provider, but I think it can be done. 4. Remember that there are places outside the BW that provide a BW-esque experience without the permit hassle: lakes with paddle in campsites outside the BW. 5. Maybe this year is the year that you do day trips into the BW from a basecamp outside. There are many entries along the Gunflint that would allow for several nice day trips of paddling/fishing without necessitating an overnight permit. There are 4-5 entries off the Sawbill Trail and spurs that would provide a nice day trip itinerary. E.g. Camp at Sawbill Lake Campground and paddle Hog Creek, Kawishiwi Lake, Sawbill Lake, Baker Lake, Homer Lake, and Brule Lake entries. 6. Thinking outside the box: You could even have Sawbill Outfitters drop you at Brule Lake and paddle back to Sawbill in one day. (Or leave a car at Baker Lake to make it shorter yet.) It would be a longish day, but in mid-June you would have long enough days to do this safely. Without the extra packs, you would be single portaging! Hope this helps. |
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cyclones30 |
That said, I'd get your top choice on permit opening day in Jan. Then when May rolls around and people know what they can do and when, either keep it or cancel and get one that does fit. It seems like there are cancelled ones that open all the time in the weeks leading up to that date (people in your situation). |
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timatkn |
Book your 1st choice on date/entry in January then be flexible. I think there is a really good chance you can get a trip booked in a 2-3 week window like you might be stuck with due to the competing schedules. I'd also establish who REALLY wants to go. Some people are passive and they use work as an excuse to not go instead of just saying no...you don't want to be waiting on someone's schedule who is just going to never have it work out anyway. T |