Wallidave
Stern Paddler
Registered: 05/04/07
Posts: 243
|
| | 05/26/10 at 06:54 PM | Reply with quote | #1 |
|
Ok, I have a issue that might require having us to look into an alternative for our trip to the Quetico with a Boundary Point permit.
I don't want to get into too much of the reason right now online but I might not be able to portage a canoe, actually getting it over my head I think is going to be the hardest part and I'm pretty sure my 12 year old is still too young to portage an Alumnacraft. I have an idea how I might be able to but not sure if it will work. Portaging packs and other gear shouldn't be too bad only the canoe with what's going on.
So, anyone have any ideas for checking in at Cache Bay and base camping some where in the area without having to portage? Any options west of Cache Bay on Saganaga? I'm thinking my options are really limited at this point? We're scheduled to be on the water for 11-12 days and hope we don't get bored if I can't portage the canoe.
I would imagine I would need to change the permit? Back in 2008 I was very concerned about the heavy outflow of Silver Falls with my young son. For an alternative if I wanted the ranger suggested going towards Ottertrack (I think) and she would change the permit that morning. However, in the end we kept to our original plan without problems.
Thanks in advance.
Dave |
| Loading... | |
Clamdigger
Stern Paddler
Registered: 02/17/06
Posts: 172
|
| | 05/26/10 at 07:21 PM | Reply with quote | #2 |
|
Well Dave is sounds like you broke your arm or threw your back out. Why not portage by by having one person at each end of the canoe carry it one handed. Either that or stay on Seagull or Sag the the whole time. If you can get up to Saganagons there is a lot of water there to explore. |
| Loading... | |
24KGold
Trip Leader
Registered: 07/19/06
Posts: 601
|
| | 05/26/10 at 09:35 PM | Reply with quote | #3 |
|
Dave, if you can manage to make Monument portage you'll have a lot of water to fish in without having to make other portages. I took that route on my first trip in 97 and had a great time. There's an island campsite I could point you to if you wanted and it was just perfect for four guys. Great island and great view. I bet you and your son could make the Monument portage and carry the canoe if you guys were at each end of it. It's 80 rods in length and I don't remember it being a tough portage.
Terry
|
| Loading... | |
Clamdigger
Stern Paddler
Registered: 02/17/06
Posts: 172
|
| | 05/26/10 at 09:42 PM | Reply with quote | #4 |
|
I would try a 40-45lb kevlar if you can swing it. Also a shoulder strap fastened to each end of the canoe such as used for guitars would save your hands and arms. |
| Loading... | |
schmoe
Navigator
Registered: 04/09/06
Posts: 130
|
| | 05/28/10 at 11:23 AM | Reply with quote | #5 |
|
| Dave, I think the kevlar canoe is the way to go. Your 12yr old could probably handle that (with a little encouragement and support). Also, I agree with Terry about getting past monument portage. You might be able to use webbing to make a handle/strap for each of you and two man carry the canoe without having to shoulder it.
Scott
__________________
Imagination is more important than knowledge - Einstein |
| Loading... | |
plexmidwest
Bow Paddler
Registered: 09/29/06
Posts: 52
|
| | 05/28/10 at 02:56 PM | Reply with quote | #6 |
|
Dave,
I too was planning on Quetico this year for the first time, but opted out.
We got the tow launch to American Point last year and I have attached a map with two sites circled that we stayed at. They were maybe 1 to 1.5 hours from Am Point, and no portages. The East site that I have circled was a very good site, the West site I circled wasn't as good. We were going to go the Little Knife Portage sites on the West end of Ottertrack, which meant making the Monument portage, which I've done before, but after staying one night at these sites, the fishing was so good we just base camped there for 8 days. Fish the back bays between these two sites if you go there. I can give a couple more tips if you want, we spent allot of time there.
This year, I am taking my Alumacraft over the Monument portage, and am not looking forward to it. We've always used Kevlar. When are you planning to get on the water?
Good luck, let me know if I can help.
John
Attached Images:
|
| Loading... | |
24KGold
Trip Leader
Registered: 07/19/06
Posts: 601
|
| | 05/28/10 at 09:47 PM | Reply with quote | #7 |
|
Hey Dave, I was going through some of my old trip pictures and I think I came across one of you and your son we took by accident. It was three years ago and we were camping in Saganagons past Dead Man's portage on the west end of a long island. On our first day of fishing one of the guys in our group clicked this picture and it was of the east end of the long island we were camped on. I think I remember you saying you were in that area around the same time we were. Is this a picture of your campsite?
Terry
Attached Images:
|
| Loading... | |
Navigator
Moderator
Registered: 03/20/06
Posts: 748
|
| | 05/29/10 at 07:15 AM | Reply with quote | #8 |
|
Hey Terry & Dave ~
I know right where this photo was taken, in fact, spot where the canoe is floating, we caught several sizable small mouth bass one afternoon floating tube jigs though the gap right there. Good memories!
__________________
Tom |
| Loading... | |
Wallidave
Stern Paddler
Registered: 05/04/07
Posts: 243
|
| | 05/29/10 at 02:19 PM | Reply with quote | #9 |
|
Thanks everyone for all the ideas and tips, we will be trying some of them. As of right now we're going to do everything we can to get to Saganagons, but if that doesn't happen I needed some back up plans.
Terry, interested in that island site you mentioned from '97. No, that isn't us in your picture.
Plexi, thanks for the info, I was thinking about that area. I think if we stayed at the sites on the US side you have marked though we would need a Boundary Waters permit?
I just realized what you guys mean regarding webbing to transport the canoe...I'll have to look into that to.
Thanks again, in the future I'll give more details about what's going on. Not a good time right now...email if interested.
Dave
|
| Loading... | |
![[IMAGE: Debbie Mark, Your Host at Seagull Outfitters]](http://www.seagulloutfitters.com/seapix/2004/home_deb_04.jpg)
