Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: First trip with lady friend
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Cricket67 |
I will also echo what others have said - 4 days is quite a bit for the River. We started on Magnetic and made it to Sag by lunchtime the second days without pushing it. In all around 7-8 hours of travel time. If you do the granite river, I'd suggest you spend a day or two on Saganaga. I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed staying on one of the island campsites, just keep an eye on the wind before wandering out into the more open parts. I have not been to Johnson Falls or the number lakes, but have been on a short trip on Sawbill when the kiddo was younger and had a good time. |
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salukiguy |
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ockycamper |
Blatz: "Hey Saluki Guy: When were you in Carbondale? I attended SIU between 1979 one 1982" Another Saluki. . . attended 1977 to 1979, graduated 1979 |
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TrailZen |
TZ |
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salukiguy |
ockycamper: "Blatz: "Hey Saluki Guy: When were you in Carbondale? I attended SIU between 1979 one 1982" |
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salukiguy |
Fast forward to today. I found a lady friend who is ready for any adventure and would love to take a trip with me to the BWCA. She has a lot of energy so I'm thinking she would be bored if we base camped. I am thinking of the following possible 4 night trip entry points. We are not young (60s) but both of us in great shape. 1. Granite River route starting at Gunflint Outfitters 2. Sawbill Lake - Lady chain with a stop at the Kelso Dolman 3. An entry point that gets up to Johnson Falls 4. Lake One to do either the triangle or numbered lakes Would prefer east side so as to enjoy the north shore scenery. Also her main requirement is that I take her out for a good steak after the trip. I have never been to but have always wanted to try the Granite River route so that is my first preference. Hit me with your suggestions or opinions especially regarding the Granite River. |
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BigFlounder |
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TuscaroraBorealis |
Did a trip the covered part of that route a number of years ago. Blue Heaven along the Granite River |
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salukiguy |
Blatz: "Hey Saluki Guy: When were you in Carbondale? I attended SIU between 1979 one 1982"I was there between 77 and 80. Looks like we over lapped a couple years. Those were the days! |
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Jackfish |
On the last day, we paddled north up to Sag, then circled westward and came down the Sag Corridor to the landing where we called the Lodge to come and pick us up. We could have spent one night in the corridor but the water was near-glass and we just kind of cruised along. Had an enjoyable four days and three nights. Fun to paddle right up the border like that. Nearly the entire waterway is half in the US and half in Canada. You'll see the international markers in several places. Congratulations to you both for finding each other and for planning a BW canoe trip. She's a special lady. |
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Blatz |
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OMGitsKa |
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deerfoot |
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salukiguy |
219Paddler: "I took my gf/partner out on Sawbill for her first trip last summer. It's a great lake for new paddlers.We have been talking about some practice runs in a canoe. I am very experienced but her not. She is doing some weights and working out for her fitness. |
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219Paddler |
Is your lady friend experienced in a canoe? My partner is also someone who I would describe as fit and up for adventure. She was also 29 at the time of the trip. That said, paddling a canoe is simply different from cycling, running, yoga, weight lifting, or any other activity people do to stay in shape. The mental aspect of SITTING for an extended period of time and repeating a paddle stroke can be just as difficult as the physical labor...especially when the wind picks up. I'm sure you know all this, but it was definitely her biggest learning experience as a newbie. If I were to do it again, I would've set better expectations for her and probably gone out for a day paddle just to get a feel for the canoe. Again, this stuff is obvious to anyone with some experience, but not so much for a first timer. |
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lindylair |
Homer Lake entry, paddle over to Pipe Lake and set up in one of three decent remote campsites. Good chance of being alone here. Head back the way you came and over to Vern Lake, two good campsites and good fishing, although you don't mention it. Up to Juno Lake, a long, narrow pretty lake with a few campsites and good fishing. From here you decide to go on to Brule with a relatively short paddle to the landing or head back the way you came to homer. If you go on to Brule you should go early in the day as it is a big lake prone to wind but your paddle is short and you are likely padding with the prevailing winds. And it would require you to stash your canoe and gear in the woods and hike a couple miles back to the Homer entry to retrieve your vehicle, part of the fun:) If you are up for laying over one night I would suggest Vern as there is a really cool daytrip up the vern river to be had if the weather is nice. Very remote and pretty river trip that could entertain you for several hours, and good fishing too. The attraction of this trip is that you could travel every day if you want or lay over one night without a ton of physical effort and time, it is a pretty easy entry with short portages. Because it has limited trip options and few permits per day it means a very good chance at...solitude. Very quiet area. Nice lakes, beautiful short stretches of wilderness river paddling and, did I mention quiet? Between Pipe and Vern Lake Day trip up the Vern River Option 2, a little more adventurous and more portaging. Put in at Kawishiwi Lake and head up to Polly for night one, about 4 hours. Gorgeous lake, can be busy but many campsites are placed to be out of the way. Day 2 up to Malberg Lake, great unique lake with lots of cool campsites. Day 3 over to River Lake and stay on the southern island site if you can, really neat with great views, or move on to the sand beach site at Amber which is great. Day 4 head back the way you came as far as you want to. Malberg would leave a 7 hour paddle/portage on your way out, Koma Lake about 6 hours and Polly about 4 hours. Nice area, not near as busy as many other areas. From the north end of Kawiushiwi Lake you would be traversing through a burn area which is interesting to see, up to the south end of Polly, then it;s back to the normal woods and water views. Some extensive small wilderness river paddling and even a possible beaver dam pullover or two between Kawishiwi and Kawaschong. But it's a great route with options to lengthen or shorten it by not going over to River Lake for example, although it is nice. But exploring Malberg for a day wouldn't be all bad either. Sand beach site on Malberg The burn between Kawishiwi and Polly. It's been 8 years since I have been there, probably grown up considerably. Two of my favorite areas and I have been going for 50 years. Whatever you do I hope it is a great trip and your new friend loves it and becomes your future paddling buddy:) |
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Michwall2 |
This route is short enough to be done in 2 or 3 nights, but deserves more time to allow for some exploration and meandering. Have fun. |
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YetiJedi |
To Saluki, I'll add a vote for the Kawishiwi Triangle route as we just completed the loop last summer. We enjoyed Clear Lake a great deal and there are several really nice campsites. Fishing was good and we found lots of blueberries too. We went in July and the river was very busy until we got to the 200 rod portage and then we only saw a couple of canoes each day for the three days we were there. We enjoyed being alone on Conchu Lake with some good bass fishing and also found lots of berries in the area. The 200 rod portage has some beautiful falls if you get off the path a little. I've been through the numbered lakes but just to pass through and haven't camped on any of them. The other trips are on my list for another season. My best to you and your lady friend for an awesome first of many adventures! |
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cyclones30 |
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TomP |
You can also get a tow to and/or from Sag Falls and avoid the risk of windy conditions on big sag. |
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MikeinMpls |
Mike |
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lindylair |
Here are trip reports that share a little more information and photos of the two trips listed in my earlier post. Might be of some value/interest since you are going to Kawishiwi this year and maybe Homer in the future. If you are interested... Homer Lake entry July 18 Kawishiwi Lake entry July 15 Since we went to Kawishiwi in July water levels could be different for your May trip. That might help you on the small river paddling with the beaver dams...or maybe not. Also I would be curious what the burn area looks like after 8 years, take some photos if you can and share them here. Portages through the burn were very different with no dense woods or tree canopy over your head, just big blue sky and the ability to see the terrain and wildflowers much better. Hope it's a great trip. |
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Captn Tony |
I would however go down stream, why fight the current? So I started at Magnetic Lake and ended up at Big Sag. |
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Traveler |
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OldGuide2 |
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