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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Sag entry - where should I go?
 
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TomP
05/14/2025 02:32PM
  
You may need to make that call on game day.


If your son’s knee flairs up both Monument Portage and the portage from Otterback to Ester will be difficult. There is quite a bit of elevation change on both.


Good luck!
 
JD
05/14/2025 02:43PM
  
Ester/Hanson is a beautiful area, but Ottertrack is incredible as well. Highly recommend anything in that area! A day trip to Cherry is worth your while, but if you're staying on the east side of it, the portage from Hanson is very steep on both ends, and is probably to be avoided if your son's knee is even minorly irritated. From Amoeber and Topaz though, it's pretty easy, and those portages are quite beautiful as well.
 
jtcarn1
05/14/2025 10:54AM
  
Have the Sag permit again this year for week of Memorial Day.Typically go in/thru Red Rock and stayed on Alpine last year. Basecampers. Caught fish, had a great time. 16 yo son so just him and I getting away is great, tbh.

Getting tow to Red Rock. Thinking of switching to American Point and pushing down Sag to the Esther/Hanson/Rabbit, etc. area. Targeting all fish, especially walleye.

I always say I want to see new areas but tend to go with what I know.

16 year old has a tender sports knee, so strenuous/
lot of portages out.

New area = better scenery outside burn zone.

Prioritizing nice site, so if find something great on Sag, may stay. I've tried to avoid big water with kids, but Sag doesn't seem that "big" to me.

Basically, just a "what would you do?" 5 nights, tow back out.

Thanks all!



 
bn3
05/14/2025 04:41PM
  
jtcarn1: "... but Sag doesn't seem that "big" to me.
"


I can't think of anything bigger in that area?
 
bottomtothetap
05/14/2025 11:05PM
  
For another change of pace you may want to consider going from Sag down the Granite River. You could get your tow to Saganaga Falls and then canoe south to a number of nice sites on the south end of Marabouf Lake, Devil's Elbow or Gneis Lakes. Only two short portages on the way there, if your 16 year old's knee is tender (though the 20 rod portage past horsetail rapids is just a bit tricky), and then those same two short portages back. Sag falls is pretty, for a bonus on this route.


On the way back you could find that nice site on Sag and stay for a night or two before catching a tow out. Or, to save a few bucks and eliminate the commitment to a pick-up time for your tow, just paddle out on Sag to where you started.
 
Michwall2
05/16/2025 08:29AM
  
First, Sag is a big lake. It has some of the longest fetches in the BW. Even a light wind can bring substantial waves over those long fetches. I have been out on Seagull in a light breeze (5-10mph) and encountered waves that were much larger than expected.


Second, it is not the uphill that will aggravate a "sports tender knee". It is the downhill. Those sore tendons will cry out when they have to catch his weight and a 40-50 pound pack. Some steps downhill are larger or have a slanted landing. Heaven forbid he experiences a slip off a rock or root.


If you have a successful route that will not place your son's knee in danger of further injury, I would check down to that one.


There is a campsite in the northwest corner of Alpine that has little or no fire damage.
 
LindenTree
05/17/2025 04:41PM
  
bn3: "jtcarn1: "... but Sag doesn't seem that "big" to me.
"



I can't think of anything bigger in that area?"
Agreed