just signed up today to become an Inukshuk ... but don't have recogniton yet.  Can any of you seasoned Quetico paddlers recommend some descent campsites around the Falls Chain or Wet/Kenny Lakes or just after Kennebas Falls? I am planning my 1st 10 day trip to Kawnipi via the Falls Chain starting June 23rd. I plan to take shuttle to Hook Island @ 7:00 am and I am not sure how far up the Falls Chain my group can go in 1 day.  Probably should make it past the last Falls. Also, any recommendation for campsites for last night in Cache Bay area...near smallmouth fishing would be nice.

W-13 -- If you get to Hook Island by 8, and don't get bogged down at the Ranger Station, you'll get into Kawnipi easy that first day.  I wouldn't stay in the Falls Chain.   I'd push on to Kawnipi.  Lots of traffic, busy place the Falls Chain.  

prouboy

Thanks, I thought we could likely push to Kawnipi. I have never been to this end of Kawnipi and was looking into campsites immediately after the last falls.

wrote on Feb 21^st, 2010 at 4:22pm:

Thanks, I thought we could likely push to Kawnipi. I have never been to this end of Kawnipi and was looking into campsites immediately after the last falls.

Since you have not been to that end of Kawnipi, perhaps you are unaware that the area north/northwest of Kennebas falls is part a burn area that extends back to the eastern side of Kawa bay/eastern side of McVicar Bay.  So, while there may be campsites in the area, several of them are not the most desirable because of that (and some have been pretty well obliterated).

On our Falls Chain route last year, we decided to stop at Kenney Lake going in and the entrance to McVicar Bay coming out.

Going in last year we got a late start and were dropped off in a "heavy chop" (make that 3+ foot swells).  So, we just decided to camp on Hook Island and head out the next morning.  The (unmarked) campsite we used on the south side of Hook, and while partially blocked by a large deadfall, it still had room for a couple of tents.

dd

Thanks DentonDoc. I am sure going in and out of Cache Bay is just like going in and out of Bayley Bay. In 2008 I had to rescue 5 Boyscouts in 2 canoes that swamped trying to come around the 1st point located in Bayley Bay just after coming out of the sand beach portage. There were 3 ft swells and they took a big wave broadside. It was pretty hairy. 2 of the scouts couldn't swim and 1 was hyperventalating he was so scared. The worst part was their scoutmaster was at least 1 mile away ahead of them and he didn't even know they swamped.

wrote on Feb 21^st, 2010 at 7:03pm:

I am sure going in and out of Cache Bay is just like going in and out of Bayley Bay.

Somewhat similar except you will need to cross to the island where the ranger station is located.  You'll get to land at a dock there (something like the Nym put-in).  

The difference between the ranger check-in at PP versus Cache Bay is that the Cache Bay rangers are down right chatty.  I guess it has something to do with the lower traffic level and the necessity of informing you about the dangers associated with travel up/down the falls chain.  In addition, when we were there last May, the ranger was accompanied by a "ranger in training," which took even longer because each check-in step had to be explained to the trainee.  The chat session continued even longer when the ranger got wind of my affiliation with QuietJourney.

My general feeling about checking-in at PP is that they are interested in moving you through as rapidly as possible (I supposed because they are handling vastly more people).

dd

Wally 13,
If you don't want to kill yourself getting to Kawnipi in one day, or there are issues either with wind or ???, there are a couple of sites below the 3rd falls after Saganagons. One is on river left next to the falls. I have seen people camped there but have not looked at the site. Right below that on a small island on river right is a nice small site that I have stayed at a couple of times. Nice place for a small ( 2 tent max ) group. I have also seen people camped on the larger Is on that lake as well.
Good luck.
Gene M

You'll have to really push it to get to Kawnipi on the first day.  And the others are correct about the quality of the sites on that part of Kawnipi.  The better sites are an hour or so away up by Kawa and McKenzie Bays.

I'd should for the Sidney Lake (after Bald Rock Falls and not named on many maps) or even Kenny Lake.  Both have very nice sites that can easily been seen as you paddle by.

And why rush?  There is great fishing along the way.  The channel in Saganagons right before the Falls Chain is always good for fishing as are any of the pools below the falls.  Last year, we camped right next to Bald Rock falls (camp is the opposite side of the portage) and had a great time jigging below the falls.

OH.  And Janice opens the Ranger Station at 8am.  You'll be lucky to depart there by 8:30am.   She's a talker!  And a source of great information!

I am heading that way on the 13 of June and appreciate all of the help here.