Mapsguy1955 wrote on May 12^th, 2018 at 9:02pm:


We did the Thelon last year, 20 days on the river starting on the Clarke. It's historic but not my favorite arctic trip. You should contact Shawn Hodgins of Wanapitei, and quick, he's trying to fill a few trips this summer. He does a lot of lesser traveled rivers and that's where you find and see better stuff. Last summer I could tell the Thelon had been traveled more by the way some of the old Inuit sites were disturbed. Barrens is the best, enchanting.

Has anyone done the Thelon? That might be a fun trip. I met someone coming off a month on it in a kayak. He said it was amazing. I have been on the bottom 10 miles of it. I would love to do the Allagash again. Did it on consecutive summers when I was 14 and 15. That was almost FIFTY years ago... Getting a bit older! All the way from the West Branch of the Penobscot to Fort Kent. Eagle Lake was loaded with Whitefish. Going up to WCPP late this September for the first time...

ticking off the South Nahanni this year; maybe try the Snake (in Yukon) after that - that about empties my bucket, but will most likely do Yukon R again, and Allagash again as well.

doing the Current, Jacks's Fork and ? in MO in a couple of weeks, so can scratch those off - still leaves a trip on the Buffalo in AR to do

just got back from a rim to rim to rim backpack in Grand Canyon - 44.5 mi and 10,300 feet elevation gain in 4 days - may do that one again too, if I take enough stupid pills;  did raft the first 88 miles of the river 3 years ago on a private trip - might consider doing a commercial trip thru the bottom "1/2" some day

only other things on my bucket list would be another climbing trip to Yosemite, but I'd have to find better partner for that I think.  and maybe a caribou hunt someday  -  both of these aren't too likely to happen, but who knows

BillConner wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2018 at 6:40am:


Well, Bill, you can keep cost down somewhat if you’re willing to use the heavy-ass canoes available through the only resort that exists up there.   When MagicPaddler, DentonDoc & I  travelled there a few years ago, there were only three canoes ... & one of those had a major crack in it!   The park itself is vast & pristine, with only  very occasional sign of First Nation or maybe a very remote resort cabin.  Portages and campsites are, at best, problematic. Fishing for walleye and northerns is probably unmatched.  Wildlife spotting opportunities are extremely good.

It’s a lot of work but, yeah, I’m pretty sure I'll go back... especially to one or two particular spots!

Jimbo. 

Opisquia has intrigued me - but pricey to get to.

BillConner wrote on Mar 21^st, 2018 at 7:11am:


My brother & I have eyeballed this as a trip possibility, too.  I did the Allagash Waterway segment about 40 years ago.  It's well worth the effort!  Also, for you "whitefish" fisherman, the lakes in Maine would be heaven for you guys!  Might shoot for doing the whole Trail next time... except for a spot called Chase Rapids.  I'm getting too old to go through there, again.  It nearly wiped out my party the last time!  Anyway, rangers will portage your gear around that section, if you prefer (and, next time, I WILL prefer!).

Not sure what my "bucket list" trip might be.  Maybe the Bloodvein River.  Maybe just above Selwyn Lake in the NW Territories... there's a section there I'd love to get back to.  Also, there was an area in Opasquia Park that I'd like to explore a little more.

So many lakes, so little time!

Later,

Jimbo   

North Forest Canoe Trail for me.
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There is an area in northwestern WCPP south of the Bloodvein River that keeps coming to my mind. I have been through the route twice in the last 10 years but never slowed down enough to explore the lakes. The lakes have no names and no sign of any lost portages. In fact the only sign of man in the area was an old tea pail from 50 years ago at a 5 star camp that had never seen use after that stop to boil up some tea.

I have the route in my gps so now its time to linger a while. I may even take a fishing pole!! A lot of nice lakes between Craven and Walkingstick.

Albany River brook trout fishing trip.  Was just talking to my brother about it today on the way home from 'the land'.

TomT- I've been to a lot of National Parks and Glacier just may be my favorite!

One piece of sad news, if you didn't hear--last year's fire claimed the Sperry Chalet.  They're hoping to be able to rebuild, so stay tuned to park info on that.

I did do the hike from Logan Pass out to the Granite Park Chalet, which is awesome! I then went up and over the Swiftcurrent pass and down to Many Glacier. Great great hike!

Since I'm on the topic of National Parks, Denali is my bucket list park.

I'd have to think about my bucket list for canoe tripping. There's still a lot of northern Minnesota / southern Ontario yet to explore!