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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: EP 14 Loop. Input appreciated
 
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AceAceAce
09/08/2024 08:50AM
  
It's a big route but it seems like you know what you're in for.


I've been through a lot of the southern sections over two different trips. Couple spots I'd hit again. The whole area is really nice.


Portage from Oyster to Hustler - take your time and enjoy this one. It's really nice. Some of the largest pines and just a really majestic forrest. Same with the one into Oyster from the river. Really nice.


The southern arm of the boulder river, the rapids just north of the longer portage into Agnes are worth fishing, but I'd take the two shorter portages to the north for travel. That longer one's landing was really muddy, boot sucking kind, when I was there (low water fall).





 
Deeznuts
09/08/2024 05:13PM
  
You will have no problems with that trip as long as you paddle hard in the mornings going around LLC. Worst case scenario you dip down through takucmich and stay on gebe instead of Boulder bay to avoid wind. Fishing was superb all through those smaller lakes too. The portages from oyster to lynx are long but the direction you are coming from will make it a little easier. We went west-east when we did it and that was no cake walk. That will be a long day, make sure you take plenty of water and eat your Wheaties. The ruby portage was a beast.
 
ItascaBirder
09/09/2024 06:29PM
  
I don't have much to add other than I went in at that EP in 2018 and was shocked by how busy it was at the end of September--busiest I had ever seen.


I know you're blowing through Lower Pauness, but I'll add a side note that on that trip, we got a late start and struggled to find campsites. We found one on LP and took it. Some old timer at the portage told us he'd fished the lake for years and there were no walleye. That evening I caught 5 from camp in like 15 minutes, so that was a pleasant surprise considering our expectations were low and we had no choice of campsites.
 
billconner
09/07/2024 06:47AM
  
I've done about half that and it's a great area. Yes LLC can get very rough. I've used the portage that doesn't show on some maps from Snow Bay to LLC. Avoids some rough water sometimes. Last time came out of LLC through Gun, Little Beartrack, and to Little Loon. But your route looks good. Not sure at my age now I could keep up with your route and schedule. :)

 
Tallyhobob
09/06/2024 10:26PM
  
We are heading out late September, EP14. Currently, our rough plan is:
Day 1: EP14 -> Lower Pauness, Loon lake, camp in Snow bay. Approximately 17 miles. Day 2 will rest (or finish getting to Snow Bay), relax, fish, maybe find a few grouse if we are lucky.
Day 3: Snow Bay -> LLC -> 27 Island or 25 Island. Day 4 will be more exploring, resting, fishing, grousing.
Day 5: get to Boulder Bay. Day 6: Fish, grouse, explore.
Day 7: Boulder Bay -> Agnes, -> Oyster, Hustler, Ruby, Lynx
Day 8: make the sad paddle back to EP14 via Lynx, Little Shell, Shell, etc.

Do any of you paddle experts have any concerns with this route? This will be a single canoe, two people, very experienced outdoors-people, moderately experienced paddlers. This will be my 6th or 7th weeklong trip to the BWCA and my Wife's 3rd. I am sure LLC gets pretty windy later in the days and potentially all day or all week at times. That is my biggest concern.
 
WesternHills
09/07/2024 12:09PM
  
Tallyhobob: "Day 7: Boulder Bay -> Agnes, -> Oyster, Hustler, Ruby, Lynx"
Going from Agnes to Lynx is no easy feat. Those 2 portages will put hair on your chest. Not saying it can't be done......just be ready for a workout. I love the route though. I've been through that area on 3 separate trips and plan to go back in the future.
 
Michwall2
09/07/2024 07:56AM
  
If you are that concerned, there is a very lovely route just inside the circle of LLC. We did it counter-clockwise, but in your clockwise direction it would be:
Upper Pauness, Lower Pauness, Loon, Little Loon, Slim, Section 3 Pond, North Lakes (If the weather permits, you can skamper up to Snow Bay on LLC and then join the route at North Lake.), Steep, Eugene, Little Bear Track, Bear Track, Thumb, Finger, Finger Creek, Pocket Lake, Pocket Creek, Ge-Be-On-E-Quet Creek, Ge-Be-On-E-Quet Lake, Green Lake, Rocky Lake, Oyster Lake. Here you rejoin your route back to Lower Pauness. It looks like it might take longer, but it doesn't. We hopped out a day early with severe storms coming in. I think we did it in 5 days. Several beautiful portages. Finger Lake has some pictographs in a campsite. Rocky Lake has a small panel of pictographs. The creek paddling is lovely also. There are a couple of places to hop out on LLC from this inner loop as well.
 
sueb2b
09/09/2024 02:40PM
  
WesternHills: "Tallyhobob: "Day 7: Boulder Bay -> Agnes, -> Oyster, Hustler, Ruby, Lynx"
Going from Agnes to Lynx is no easy feat. Those 2 portages will put hair on your chest. Not saying it can't be done......just be ready for a workout. I love the route though. I've been through that area on 3 separate trips and plan to go back in the future."


I’m agreeing on this point — that’s a long day of walking.