Jimbo wrote on Feb 25^th, 2011 at 8:02pm:



Correction:  Stu Osthoff has pushed publication of the story covering this area of WCP back to some future issue, per his comments to me yesterday at Copia.

Jimbo  

DentonDoc wrote on Feb 25^th, 2011 at 4:37pm:



Well, I hope one of the portages they're working on is the long one heading north into Knox Lake.  If you're a heavyweight (like me) & carrying a large pack to boot, there is absolutely no escaping trudging up to your ass in mud for the first quarter mile.  That one is a real slime pit before you gain the high ground.

Of course, before you ever even reach that portage you have to cross two floating bogs.  Take one wrong step, find one weak spot & you are FAR more than just "up to your ass".  If you go down, you better hope you pop right back up through the hole you went through... or there might not BE any popping up!

If interested, you should find something of a description of these trails in a WCP article scheduled to appear in next month's BWJ.  KF & I tangled with these bad-boy portages during our June/July trip last year.  Actually, that's not quite accurate.  KF sort of floated over them; I don't think he even got muddy.  Me?  I'm a slop hog.  I don't "float" over anything!   

Those portages were at least "portages", however.  Give KF a choice between portage & no portage, guess which way he goes?  What we encountered further along made those portages seem tame....

Jimbo  

Just thought I'd share a few things mentioned in an e-mail I received from Claire Quewezence (Asst. Park Super.) this morning:

- looks like there will be some rerouting work done on the portage(s) leading out of Lund to avoid the boggy spots.  (Check the end of Marten's video on Harlan's Red Lake Outfitter's site, if you need a visual).

- a portage crew should be working the western side of the park beginning in early July.

- water levels appear to be "generous" based on current conditions (e.g., snow fall).

Keep in mind that these were responses to specific questions I'd asked.  Its always a good idea to check in with the park staff prior to any trip departure.

dd

You are right most folks just blow through on their way to or from.  Boot jack, we don't have any info on but suspect just n. pike. Elephanthead is a nice stop over for a couple of reasons - a beautiful tiny little gem thats has some nice fishing.  No walleyes but it has lake trout. Because of its size the fish are small and the lake would be at risk to a heavy fishing pressure - so I'm not so disapointed that folks pass through. Definately a lake where good conservation is in order.  There are a couple of small lakes to the south east of E-head that I am interested in - if anyone has the time to bushwhack a bit and cast a line - maybe even from shore, I'd be ineterested in the results.

[quote author=DentonDoc link=1296434989/0#6 date=1296526625...

Yeah.  Those 13 portages between Mexican Hat and Leano aren't all that long.

dd [/quote]

I was kind of leaning tword getting input from Doug on Elephant Head or Boot Jack Lakes. That was a pretty area... I'm thinking most people just blow through there like we did.

mastertangler wrote on Feb 1^st, 2011 at 1:30am:

Yeah.  Those 13 portages between Mexican Hat and Leano aren't all that long.

dd

nctry_Ben wrote on Jan 31^st, 2011 at 11:08pm:


Nobody noticed Ben.........besides, we don't sweat the small stuff .

After hearing Jimbos and Martins portage descriptions they just might start looking at Leano .

Boy do I feel stupid... I read the original post as Leano. I reread it and hmmm... I think I had my first senior moment!    Even the post is called Lund!

badgercanoe,

If you paddle to Murdock from Lund, you'll want to fish below each whitewater drop between Knox & Murdock.

End of May, eh?  Might be best to check w/the park office a week or so in advance re: the status of "ice-out" in 2011. 

Marten isn't kidding about those portages.  One of them is really nasty (but might actually be better IF the ground hasn't thawed out too much).  Nevertheless, paddling those BIG lakes with BIG winds and BIG cold waves would certainly get me thinking about his Green Airways recommendation at THAT time of year.

Good luck!

Jimbo   

I would suggest Murdock Lake for canoes and walleye fishing. There is one lodge there and the fishing is so good that it is usually booked a year in advance. The shape of the lake provides sheltered paddling somewhere no matter what the wind is doing. We camped on the east end of the long peninsula running east and west between "Murdock" and  "Lake" on the park map.

The camp is also a good place for a float plane pick up or landing. Because of the three long nasty portages between Lund and Murdock you may want to think about doing that. The usual group of paddlers would need two days to get to Murdock. After July 1, 2011 you will only be able to land at the four landing zones in WCPP.

Costs may seem high but when you break it down per person it may fit the budget. You like to basecamp and spend your time fishing so the cost of each fishing day may make it appealing. If you get tired of fishing be sure to paddle up the the north end for the second best pictographs in the park. If you decide to fly there are lots of options. Green Airways has always taken us out on schedule.