Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Kawishiwi Lake to Malberg
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IdealTarHeel |
Was wondering if anyone out there can tell me 1) What lakes we will be on 2) About how long the portages are 3) How many portages there are This will be our 10th year at the BWCA but never in this area. Any and all help will be GREATLY appreciated. |
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IdealTarHeel |
I cannot seem to spot it on the maps I am looking at. |
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IdealTarHeel |
I truly appreciate your help |
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boonie |
Like cburton said and a couple of extra points : You'll likely be able to skip the two short portages on the river after Square due to higher water levels from the massive beaver dam just before Kawasachong, so don't take those. You'll likely have a couple of small beaver dam pullovers. The one just before Kawasachong will require going around one side or the other. The two portages between Kawasachong and Kawishiwi are the longest and are separated by Townline Lake which is only a couple of minutes paddle, so almost like one portage. Some elevation gain but good tread, not easy but not hard. North landing on Townline can be slightly awkward sometimes. |
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fadersup |
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Fearlessleader |
As far as taking the river to avoid the portages, I would not recommend you try it. Everyone who I’ve read about who tried it said it was nearly impossible and at best would be far harder and time consuming than taking the portages. They are not too difficult and are there for a reason. |
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cburton103 |
1) Kawishiwi, Square, Kawasachong, Polly, Koma, Malberg. A few no name ponds as well. 2-3) 8 portages, two around 100 rods, one closer to 200 rods. I don't recall any of the portages being memorable as far as difficulty goes. 200 rods is a decent length portage though, so your shoulders will be tired. Nice route. Polly and Malberg are particularly interesting with varied shapes and islands to keep things interesting. |
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TuscaroraBorealis |
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IdealTarHeel |
As I was looking at the map link, I did see what looked like we could take the Kawishiwi river out of Kawasachong Lake and bypass two portages on our way to Lake Polly. Is that correct? The reason I ask is that it looks like there is a marsh area along that route and I have know way of knowing if canoes can get through. Again any help will be awesome. |
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arputzke |
Edit: just read the replay of the posts. Pretty sure I've got my answer. :-) |
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Hammertime |
Had better fishing on adjacent lakes but the sites on malberg are top notch. Have fun!!! |
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Frenchy19 |
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lindylair |
For us it was 4 hours to Polly and 3 more to Malberg but we made it in one day and got a nice campsite. The next lake past Malberg is River Lake and is very nice, scenic, good campsites and good fishing. Also Amber Lake is quiet with good fishing and an amazing campsite. If you want to explore a bit after a couple days on Malberg it wouldn't be a bad way to go. BTW, Polly is a gorgeous lake but popular and a great spot to spend a last night on the way out for an easy 4 hour paddle to the EP. Have a great trip. Kawishiwi to Malberg and beyond |
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Cc26 |
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A1t2o |
Fearlessleader: "As far as taking the river to avoid the portages, I would not recommend you try it. Everyone who I’ve read about who tried it said it was nearly impossible and at best would be far harder and time consuming than taking the portages. They are not too difficult and are there for a reason. " This is something I've looked into as well. Trust me, you are better off taking the portage. If portaging sucks so bad that you are looking at taking streams to skip one or two, then you are probably portaging wrong. I know I was. Portaging isn't supposed to hurt. |
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boonie |
I thought about adding "don't try to take the river" - I guess I should have :) You can look at it on satellite view. I looked at it from the Polly side a couple of years ago but didn't go far - maybe a quarter-mile. Which included 3 beaver dams, blowdown from the burn, a small rock gorge surrounded by low growth hiding ankle breaking holes. |
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AlexanderSupertramp |
I think the water is going to remain high for some time longer so a few of the landings are going to be a bit tricky with lack of space to step out and/or place your canoe. It was my first time in that area and I really enjoyed paddling the river sections, even with the beaver dams. |
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boonie |
I thought about adding "don't try to take the river" - I guess I should have :) You can look at it on satellite view. I looked at it from the Polly side a couple of years ago but didn't go far - maybe a quarter-mile. Which included 3 beaver dams, blowdown from the burn, a small rock gorge surrounded by low growth hiding ankle breaking holes. |
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scat |
It is a nice area, have fun! |
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AlexanderSupertramp |
scat: " There is nothing particularly challenging about any of these portages, one kind of long one maybe, but it's on a good trail. You can make it to Malberg in one day no prob, or make a pit stop on Polly." Agreed, I launched at 8:30am and with a 20 minute lunch stop on Polly we still made it to Malberg by 4pm and that's with casual paddling and double portaging. I regretted pushing it all the way though and I got stuck with a less-than-desirable site and had to set up camp in the rain. I generally like to start early and be done paddling early, I broke my own rule this time and should have stayed on Polly the first night. |