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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park :: WCPP Lodges, cabins, etc
 
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solotrip
09/20/2012 07:35PM
 
Yes, thank you Bogwalker for your comments. Many here realize what a special place WCPP truly is...one of the very few places left where you can "escape for a week or more, travel over land and water and have a good chance of seeing nobody.


Harlan
 
ZaraSp00k
09/20/2012 08:20AM
 
quote dentondoc: "I hope that one of the Quetico legacies that can be extended in to WCPP is the reduction/removal of some of that (where possible). Yet, I understand the commercial concern of those that live in the region. Hopefully, some meaningful balance can be struck between those seeking "development" and those (of the canoeing community, e.g.) that seek a wilderness experience."


I doubt they are going to kick out high rollers who pay to be flown in and stay at a lodge in favor of granola eating paddlers. One thing you have to remember, Canada views wilderness a little different than we do.

But look at how Yellowstone is managed, or for that matter the BWCA. Fire grates, potties, portage wheels, taxi service, motors, ...and now cell phone service, little of it is pristine wilderness either.


I worked with a guy who has flown into the lodge on Donald, he was surprised not only that I could paddle into that lake in 3 days but that I could drive my 2WD vehicle across Longlegged road to get to Leano. He kept telling me I'd need a chainsaw to make it.
 
solotrip
09/20/2012 09:34AM
 
quote ZaraSp00k: "quote dentondoc: "I hope that one of the Quetico legacies that can be extended in to WCPP is the reduction/removal of some of that (where possible). Yet, I understand the commercial concern of those that live in the region. Hopefully, some meaningful balance can be struck between those seeking "development" and those (of the canoeing community, e.g.) that seek a wilderness experience."



I doubt they are going to kick out high rollers who pay to be flown in and stay at a lodge in favor of granola eating paddlers. One thing you have to remember, Canada views wilderness a little different than we do."



Zara, you are way off base with that comment.


Harlan
 
Marten
09/20/2012 05:05PM
 
Bogwalker, I thank you for what you have written in defense of WCPP. I am proud of WCPP and what they have been able to do in the last 30 years. Many question why I keep going back year after year instead of going someplace else. I have been blessed with being able to travel to some far flung places around the world. As the years progress I find that while in another destination my yearnings too often are for WCPP and what I find there.


I acknowledge that there are costs and some things I would rather not see or hear while I am in the bush. WCPP is so big that it is easy to find an area that provides the solitude I have come to cherish.
 
SunCatcher
09/20/2012 05:52PM
 
In defense of WCPP I really like this place a lot myself. Cut my teeth on my first solo there in 2010. Been on a solo there every year since. I ran into very few boats and motor's, not that you cant or won't, but it is not a intrusive bunch of boat fisherman, by anymeans, and my understanding is they were there, before it was a Provincial Park? The place is roughly 1.2 million acres and around 40 miles wide and 50 miles long, so there are plenty of places to get "LOST" in. In my six day solo this year I saw NO ONE in 7 days and 6 nights so, Not that big of deal for sure. It is a wonderful place, with lots of wildlife and secret places to hide.
I am not that much of a purist, that I can't share the place with a few boats or outpost's on some scattered lakes.


SunCatcher
 
kanoes
09/20/2012 07:55PM
 
for me, woodland caribou blows quetico out of the water. i always dream of returning...and will again spring 2013.
 
bogwalker
09/20/2012 11:43AM
 
Zaraspook,


I have stayed on the sideline of all of the conversations concerning WCPP that you have entered into until now. It is obvious that you do not appreciate Woodland Caribou or the management of the Ontario MNR in regards to the park or the entire province. You have a right to your opinion, and we definitely get it now.


On the other hand the rest of us like Woodland Caribou for what it is.. a very beautiful place that very few visit given the difficulty to get there, the distance from the US and the remoteness of the area. Many of us already have been to WCPP numerous times and know what we are talking about and know the costs and limitations of the area. There is no perfect spot for all and WCPP or Nopiming is no different. If that perfect place exists everyone would go there.


You have a right to your opinion, we all do. But I find your constant negative approach to the Woodland Caribou forum, WCPP, Ontario MNR and to those trying to learn more about the area annoying. The majority of people who are investigating the WCPP forum are interested in WCPP for what it is and most of us also understand the costs, the fly-in resorts, the road and everything else good and maybe not so good about it.


If you want to be part of the conversation please do so in a more constructive way or keep your thoughts to yourself. I am sure many would like to learn more about Nopiming and if they do they will certainly ask. Maybe a private forum for Nopiming would be a good addition to the site. It could be added and you could be the group leader. In the mean time please allow the WCPP conversations to center on WCPP and allow individuals to make up their own mind regarding the area, costs, remoteness, fly-in resorts, campsites etc and if that is what they are looking for in a vacation or not. For me it is all very worth it and I will be going back numerous times in the future.


I am sure you will blast me for this post, but the majority of members may just applaud me for saying what needed to be said. Please continue posting, but please do so in a more friendly, constructive manner.


As my momma always told me "If you don't have anything constructive or nice to say about something or to someone, then don't say anything at all."



 
Kiporby
09/20/2012 12:44PM
 
Applause!
 
ZaraSp00k
10/12/2012 07:49AM
 
being a granola eating paddler myself, I don't see how anyone can be offended by that comment


it is the reality, and it is also the policy in Ontario, paddlers from the US contribute little to the economy and Ontario (those that control policy at least) are not bashful about stating it, it is their assertion, not mine that we paddlers contribute little, so they develop policies they believe will force us to spend more money


I happen to believe their policies are ill founded, and I realise it is only my opinion, but the facts show that WC and Wabakimi in particular are way underutilized (no doubt many believe that is a good thing, including me, but isn't that kind of self serving?) and use of Quetico is falling, do the increased fees cause that or the aging population? doesn't really matter it is US paddlers who will cause an increase or decrease in use, don't bite the hand that feeds you (WC management seems to understand this, not sure the others do)


I am sorry, I guess I have given people the wrong impression, I believe WC is a great park and the people who manage it are top notch. In fact a model that others should follow. The only beef I have is with the powers that be in Ontario. If you guys are fanboys of Ontario that is your choice, you are welcome to it. As you become more aware of the bigger picture, you will find that many in Canada & Ontario agree with me.

When I joined this forum I thought it was a place for paddlers to exchange information to help them in their trips to WC, I didn’t realize it was a promotion tool for Red Lake businesses and Ontario tourism. My mistake. Or maybe it was yours?

There is more than one entrance to WC. If you like going to Red Lake, great. But realize the world is bigger than your view of it. Perhaps I should take up on the suggestion to start another forum, but I have a suggestion: rename this forum Red Lake accessing Woodland Caribou. I’ll call the new forum Accessing Woodland Caribou other than Red Lake.

Interesting that the guy who started a thread recently had to specifically say where he didn’t want to go, obviously he rwanted the Red Lake cheerleaders to puty down their pom-poms and get other input. Then there was the other recent poster who wanted a short trip with kids into WC and was looking for a less expensive way. I gave a good possibility. If it PO’d people off that it wasn’t thru Red Lake that is your problem. Also there was the guy earlier this year coming from out west, is suggesting travelling an additional 400 miles or so, with the additional cost, really the best suggestion when he can access through Manitoba, saying much time and money?

I have no skin in the game, if you take make ideas, suggestions, or advice I don’t profit. If you don’t I don’t lose. I have been going paddling to Ontario for over 20 years now,I have learned a lot on the BWCA forum and am merely trying to return the favor. If you don’t like what I have to say, simple solution, ignore me.

 
dentondoc
09/19/2012 12:35PM
 
I've heard it said that Woodland Caribou is like what Quetico was about 50 years ago. Based on my recent viewing of film segments by Sig Olson from the late 1940's, I'd say that is about right. In a by-gone era there was more boat traffic and lodge development in Quetico than is apparent now.


I hope that one of the Quetico legacies that can be extended in to WCPP is the reduction/removal of some of that (where possible). Yet, I understand the commercial concern of those that live in the region. Hopefully, some meaningful balance can be struck between those seeking "development" and those (of the canoeing community, e.g.) that seek a wilderness experience.


Not withstanding the above, I'm already planning a return visit to WCPP for next year (if that is any indication of my assessment of how much the "development" detracts from my experience). This will be my 4th ... certainly not the experience level that Martin can share about the park, but at least I'm not a complete novice.


dd
 
dentondoc
09/19/2012 12:31AM
 
I thought some of you might have some interest in knowing where (generally) you'd expect to find evidence of human activity within the park.

Here is a link to a (pdf) map of Woodland Caribou that shows a variety of kinds of "development." Check the legend at the bottom to identify such things as lodges, cabins, boat caches, etc. The map was produced several years ago (2004), but from my experience, little that is on the map has changed significantly since then.

This information might be useful if you want to plan a route where you can either expect or try to avoid development. (BTW, I've run across a number of boat caches with no sign of potential users.)

dd
 
Marten
09/19/2012 08:56AM
 
The map may give the illusion that you are going to see a lot of development or boats in WCPP. There will be boats cached at the portages on the Bloodvein and Gammon Rivers. Most of the time that is how the boat will be seen, sitting unused. A lot of the boats in the remote areas are hidden out of view and you will never even spot them. If you do stumble upon one, like DD said, it will be evident it is unused. I was surprised to see the marked boat caches on the waters I travel. I had never seen a boat while on most of these waters. On the Gammon and Bloodvein I still only expect one or two distant sightings during a typical day. The exception to this would be Donald and Carroll Lakes. In my experience this is where the boats will be seen most.