If I had 2 weeks to go from Beaverhouse to Ely, this is what I would do.....Enter Quetico Lake and go north around Eden Island and see the pictographs. Camp somewhere on the lake. Then I'd head east/south to Conk and Jean. Jean is beautiful and great walleye fishing. Then head south to Sturgeon. It is a huge lake but there is great fishing there and on the south shore there are patches of sand where the voyaguers used to have parties! Spend a day or two and then head east to Russell. I would paddle through Sturgeon narrows and take the short portage into the north end of Russell ( around rapids, you may be able to make it up the rapids). I was told the portage before the narrows was straight up and down and muddy. Spend a few days on Russell and fish at Chatterton Falls. Walk around at Chatterton Falls too. There are lots of places to create spas or just listen to the water. In a low water year, there is even a place to jump in sort of like Louisa Falls. It's about 1/2 way up the west shore. Then head south, (but do not take the portage at the falls). It is very winding and there is alot of poison ivy. Take the portage south of the falls around the penisula (This is the official portage). Then you'll weave through some smaller lakes, Keats and Shelley. Then you could go directly to Agnes, but I'd go to Kahshahpiwi creek, Cairn, Sark, Keefer, and finally Kahshahpiwi. Spend lots of time in this area. Take the portage up to the fire tower on Kash. It is easy to find. (although they may be tearing it down or already have) It is quite beautiful in this whole area. Then you could cut over to Agnes via Trant Lake and unnamed lakes and Silence Lake. (There is virgin pine in this area) Go to Louisa Falls for sure and fish there also. Take those monster portages (the Meadows portages) because they are beautiful and you will be in such good shape by then they will seem like nothing. The first time I was in awe, now I see only beauty and don't think they are a big deal. Girl Scouts do them all the time!!!!! Be sure to take Singing Brook portage and the portage from Burke into Bayley Bay. Avoid North portage from Sunday Lake into Bayley Bay. You know, there are so many things to see, but this would be a dandy trip. Have fun whatever you do. Kim

Posted by Kim Young on March 24, 2000 at 19:25