Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park :: Mexican Hat lake help
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dentondoc |
quote jcavenagh: "OK! I just finished printing a set of MNR LIO 1:49000 topo maps of our entire route." Actually, I prefer Toporama maps downloaded from GeoGratis: Of course, the downloaded maps don't have any portage or campsite markings and they are in a green tint (rather than yellow, which I find easier to read through a map case), but they do have the requisite detail. dd |
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jcavenagh |
If anyone wants, you can look here and play around with it. Ontario MNR LIO Make-A-Map |
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Widespreadpanic |
1. Mexican Hat lake would compare in size to what BW lake. 2. Travel time from Leano to Mexican hat under the average conditions. Thanks in advance. We are not totally committed to a route and the possibility of a fly-in paddle out route is for sure on the table. Primary goal is to get a good feel for WCPP and sample all the different kinds of fishing. |
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marsonite |
It's about 15 miles from the Leano entry. It's definitely reachable in a day, though it depends on your motivation level, experience, and the weather. Obviously you would need to camp somewhere close the night before, as you're not going to be able to drive 70 miles of bad road and then make 15 miles in a canoe. I tend not to go so far on my first day but that's just me (and my family). There's quite a few short portages. None real difficult, but the landings are challenging, at least when I've been there. They kind of wear you down as well. Enjoy your trip! |
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kanoes |
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marsonite |
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SunCatcher |
I would say stay on Lunch Lake or Jake Lake. Lunch Lake has 3 good sites, the best one is on the Island in the Middle of Lunch Lake. Watch your EXIT off Lunch Lake on way to Jake Lake, you come around a corner and have to vear to the RIGHT, You will hear a gigantic waterfall, and It is a bit of a tricky landing. Jake Lake has 5 campsites, The best one is on the Big Point Sticking out on the Middle West side. If you make it to here, that is a good distance for day 1 in my opinion. It is so beautiful, that I would take my time and soak up the beauty!! There are several nusisance (short) portages and small waters after Jake Lake on way to Mexican Hat. Bing, Bing Bing all in a row. The campsites on Mexican Hat are one right across from the waterfall, A+ Site, and one on a point on middle of lake on the North Side. Wind should not be much of an issue as the trip to Lunch Lake, is pretty protected waters for the most part. If water levels are good, do yourself a favor and paddle to the WEST end of Mexican Hat, and go into Nutria Lake, If water level's are shallow it can be a bear, but if water levels are good, go do it...It is a BEAUTIFUL secluded little lake, worth many photo's. Have Fun and email me if you have questions SunCatcher |
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nctry |
quote marsonite: "Is it 45 from Red Lake? I was measuring from Ear Falls (skipping Red Lake), and I guess the whole 70 isn't bad. At any rate, 45 or 70, it'd take more energy than I have to drive that road and then paddle/portage 15 miles. " I think the road from Ear Falls is getting to bad to travel. Besides, your going to want to visit Harlan's hardware/ sports shop in Red Lake. The days of taking little toyota cars in there are over I'd say. No one is maintianing the road anymore except maybe a resort or two up to their place. Harlan put a lift kit in his truck for the trips out to Leano. |
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kanoes |
quote nctry: "quote marsonite: "Is it 45 from Red Lake? I was measuring from Ear Falls (skipping Red Lake), and I guess the whole 70 isn't bad. At any rate, 45 or 70, it'd take more energy than I have to drive that road and then paddle/portage 15 miles. " good info! so i have to beg to get my wifes tundra again, for next spring? :) |
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marsonite |
quote nctry: "quote marsonite: "Is it 45 from Red Lake? I was measuring from Ear Falls (skipping Red Lake), and I guess the whole 70 isn't bad. At any rate, 45 or 70, it'd take more energy than I have to drive that road and then paddle/portage 15 miles. " That's really a shame. My last trip up there was something like 4 years ago and I drove it in a Honda Civic. |
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Widespreadpanic |
Mexican Hat seems like a logical lake to base out of due to the distance from Leano. However since we are driving 16 hours to get there, I am certainly not limiting myself to a set idea of what is to be. Nor is a 250.00 flight going to be an issue from keeping us out of a great area. So with all that said, where would you suggest for walleye and lakers with good seclusion. We are not interested in seeing boat traffic or airplanes all day. |
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ZaraSp00k |
I don't think there is much difference in road conditions between Ear Falls & Red Lake, the advantage coming from Red Lake is that it is 25 fewer miles of washboard. The drive from Ear Falls to Red Lake is nicely paved and pleasant. |
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jcavenagh |
We'll be staying in Red Lake the night before put in, and then Harlan is going to shuttle us in his truck. Thanks for campsite tips!! |