Thanks Matt, I'll definitely have to check that out along the way!

"Anyone who has been through he falls chain and poet lakes have any particularly nice places they recommend checking along the way or notables (pictographs etc)."

there is an old portage trail along Chatterton Falls that makes for a nice hike - there are 5 or 6 falls along that section that you only see from that trial - there is a campsite at the upper end/Chatterton Lake and you could hike from there as well as from the bottom.  its well worth the hike, especially if you are going to fish below the falls.  From the bottom, the trial starts at the campsite closest to the falls - the trail is "river left" on the south bank of the river - I'd not do that trial for portaging, just for the hike - there is a better/recommended trail further south.  I've tried fishing the upper sections, but have not had any luck above Russell Lake.

Since you are going to be in Atikokan anyways, I'd be sure to get a copy of the falls detail map from the ranger station if your outfitter does not give you one.

Kingfisher
It's true, Just like JJ, I paddled up to Q side of PP coming off of Basswood.  Out of the trees come two canadian border officials.  They wanted to see our RABC's.  They indeed had radio contact to someone?....Ft. Francis?  We were fine, but the bloke from IA right behind us was watching us being shookdown on the beach.  He still paddles up sans RABC (I would have paddled over to the US side of the portage).  While we were waiting for our tow, he comes up hill and told us he just racked up several $100's on his MasterCard.  If he didn't pay or have a card, they would have called in a float plane to pick him up and take him to Ft. Francis.

We are indeed flying from Atikokan - we'll be crossing border at International Falls at around 5 or 6. Trying to pull up the map you linked me to as I'm typing this - looks like some useful info to be sure! Thank you for that!

Thanks also for the heads up on the possible perils on approaching the take out for portages - definitely something we'll have to be prepared for, with some 'current' information.

Anyone who has been through he falls chain and poet lakes have any particularly nice places they recommend checking along the way or notables (pictographs etc).

thanks for the replies regarding whether they check for RABCs - I was just curious.  It seems that RABC was set up so you didn't need to show it, but if they don't at least spot check, how would they ever know if people were just crossing onto Canada without one. 

I have been stopped at PP by an imigrations/customs officer equiped with a sat. phone if he needed to verify anything.  Thankfully, my group did have all the correct paperwork and the process was carried out in 5 minutes during our wait at the ranger station.  That was in 2000, so had no post 9/11 implications.

Of course I've also been stopped at every single portage between Birch and Knife by alternating USFS and Quetico rangers, on the same day.  It was cool though, because at least the rangers have some good stories and information. The immigration officer seemed out of place, like he wanted to strip the bow plates off our canoes. 

Caution:  I think children 18 and over require their own RABC.

Since the post 9/11 security increases, I'm not sure the routine checks are very frequent at all.  I was led to believe that the Canadian checks at PP were somewhat in retaliation for the increased US immigration scrutiny of Canadians entering - like the many who do every day for work.  But still get one.

I've mused that if, for instance, I left home without mine, would I go or cancel?  Haven't had to face that yet. Thank heavens for fax machines and outfitters.

Mad_Mat wrote on Apr 30^th, 2012 at 12:38pm:

No, they don't ask for it and they don't care if you have one. However, occasionally border patrol (or whatever the Canadians call this branch of enforcement) will do spot checking for Remote Area Border Crossing Permits - RABC.
How? I've been told that they fly an agent to one of the entry point ranger stations and then check each person's RABC as they enter Canada. I've never had it happen to me and I've never seen it going on but I've been told by Quetico Park rangers that it does happen. How often they wouldn't say.
Immediate family members need only one RABC. (husband, wife and dependent kids)
RABC's need to be renewed yearly.

I've made cross-park trip, but went north to south, and came out at Prairie Portage. 

PM  me if you'd like to discuss further.  I can give you my email address and phone number.

prouboy

Thanks for the clarification. This is a first class site.