Gore Bless The Internet.  There's always a forum for places I want to paddle.  Thanks in advance!

Solo
10 day trip = 7 paddle days + 3 relax days

Last week of June, first week of July.

Done many trips (solo/tandem/group), though this will be my longest solo by a few days.  Tromped all over APP, some Temagami, Crown Land and Cottage Land for just shy of 20 years.

Paddling 15' kevlar prospector, I just put skid pads on it!

Double carry portages.  Want to keep max individual port length to <1500m (300 rods).  Want to keep max daily portaging <2500m (500 rods).

Daily distance on 7 paddle days 10 - 15 km.

Staring from Nym
Rest days are of course subject to weather.
Night
1 - Batchewaung Bay
2 - Pickerel Narrows/Pickerel Lake
3 - Rest
4 - Bisk/Beg/Fern
5 - Olifant
6 - Rest
7 - Rest
8 - Jesse
9 - Batchewaung
10 - out


Also an avid fisherman for whatever's in season and in the waters.  Happy to hear the local scuttlebutt.

Looks fine, but if it were me, I'd only do one rest day on Oliphaunt.  The Oliphaunt to Jesse day could be tough (much tougher in my opinion, than fern to Oliphaunt), that would give you a rest day after your toughest travel day.  Assuming you are going via Halliday to Jesse?  I've only done that port once, from Halliday to Sturgeon, and it was nasty in high water - it likely will be dryer in summer, but its not likely to be easy.

you are taking it easy on yourself....except for the 15 footer.

'I assume pics will follow (please)

Thanks for the advice!  I don't have my map in front of me, but sounds like Oliphaunt - Rest - travel - rest is a better plan.

Yes, pics & TR would follow.  Those are the dues for being part of communities like this.

Yeah the 15 footer is the canoe I have since I can't have the canoes I want.  It has been slightly modified to make solo easier, bow seat moved closer to midship.  

When I plan solo trips I try to have ~30% rest days.  If I'm not windbound I can explore & scout, while having a line in the water of course.  I've done some strenuous solos and it's just not fun if I'm too tired to make a hot dinner or stay awake to see what's on the Caveman TV (usually re-runs but I love that show).

Likely drier than most if the early ice-out and low winter precip aren't countered by a ton of rain in the next several weeks.

[smiley=dankk2.gif]

I rarely target lakers when solo so... Having explored most of your route with a similar ratio in mind, here's how I'd sketch it out on paper effort/reward wise. I don't usually plan this detailed so this is rather general.

1 - Pickeral Narrows
2 - Bud (8 day conservation start)
3 - explore/fish
4 - Olifant
5 - explore/fish
6 - Liz
7 - explore/fish
8 - Jesse
9 - explore/fish or Batch (conservation end)
10 - out

I don't know if that exactly fits your distance/day criteria but it seemed to me you started out slow. I'd save exploring Batch or the Narrows for the end or skipping it altogether unless you hit it just right and wanted to stay another day in the beginning or come back to a campsite you saw on the way in.

I normally get up in the morning and decide if conditions might favor traveling or exploring and then evaluate where I am mid trip. If I see an area I like, I look for a campsite that might be good for two nights.

Last trip I took a crappy campsite due to some fronts moving in. The next day I moved my camp less than a mile simply because the new campsite I found in the same area was better for the changing weather.

Thanks db.  Planning & actuallity are often different.  How each day progresses and personal mood make the decisions.

I like slow starts, sometimes called a Voyageur start.  If something has been left at the car it's not a killer to head back with minimal gear & get it.  Also after 2-3 days in the car, driving from Toronto, I can't guarantee I won't lilly-dip the first day.

Gonna have to map it out, but looks like what I basically want.  Thanks!

Funny you mention Voyageur starts Preacher.  Our group references Voyageur breakfasts in a completely different light.  To us, a Voyageur breakfast means we wake up and take down camp quickly, paddle a few miles and then eat breakfast on the fly.  It usually consists of granola, breakfast bars, or similar.  Helps you get on the water before the wind kicks up.

Hey Preacher,

Saw you were coming from Toronto all the way up. I'm heading up from Kitchener in Late August. I'm probably doing a solo trip as well.
Just wondering where you were stopping over night on the way up?
I'm looking at Lake Superior PP and the Rabbit Blankets Campground.
Seemed like a good 10 hour drive to there, then into French lake over night before heading interior the third morning.
Appreciate your feedback as I have not been up to Quetico before and it was difficult to judge distances and timing, what with my canoe slowing me down on those (seemingly) winding roads through the Canadian shield!

Cheers!

Yep, I've heard that reference to Voyageur starts as well.  Hungry?  Here's a tin of pemmican, dip two fingers and pass it on.  Don't miss a stroke.

I haven't figured out the drive yet.  Have only over-planned 3 days (tripper math, 1 windbound day every 3rd/4th day) on the road each way.  1 day to Soo, 1 day to TBay (pick up persians for dinner), 1/2 day to permits/park/launch.
Not sure if I'll tent it or motel it.  I've been in some motels where I would have been better off in a tent in the parking lot.  Weighing the pros/cons of unpacking/repacking gear every day.  The potential to lose something, either left behind or rolled under the car seat.  The comparative cost, park sites aren't much cheaper than motels where you get all sorts of conveniences.

I'll be sure to include the drive there & back in the TR.  Where I stay, what it's like, time on the road.

clipped from other thread

db wrote on Apr 22^nd, 2010 at 6:34am:

What spawned my question was the   (You need to Login or Register. I couldn't understand why someone would plan that route that way. It worked fine but at the same time it didn't make sense to me. Was the reason Laker fishing or a desire to have people close by. Doesn't matter - just not how I would do it as I like to avoid people while hitting nice areas w/ the sort of options I like for layover days.

FYI, 90% is unfamiliarity with the area.  Certainly security & having other trippers nearby is a factor for me when solo in a new area.  Yeah being able to bug out within 2 days also factored in, but maybe I should go deeper and not have that option.

I'd be curious what folks might suggest for a 10 day trip with the following parameters.
Rest day for every 3rd day.  Doesn't have to happen on the 3rd day.  Just want to have the time buffer for being windbound & exploring.
10-15 km paddling on travel days.  Max 2 km portaging on travel days.
Everything else is bonus.  
I fish.  June/July pretty much opens everything for me.  While I'll spend a lot of time with a line in the water, it's usually something to do while I tool around exploring or wasting the day.
I like to see neat things like pictographs & big trees & big scenery - who doesn't?  I like to see waterfalls & rapids & mess about, but don't like to camp near the white noise that comes with white water.
I like to avoid motor boats.  
Big lakes are better planned with the wind at my back.


I just didn't want to show up sounding like a total noob with a Plan My Trip thread.  Every time I see those I  ::) expecting the parameters to be something like, "We have 3 days, no experience and want to have total solitude."

The route sounds good to me. In fact, we'll be doing a similar loop this year. The only pictos are a poor set on Dore' (the name means waldos, but there are none, only lakers) near the Deax Riviere portage.

Leif,

Re driving times: You can get accurate estimates by going to CAA's website, then "Travel Agency" then "Online TripTiks and Maps" from the pull-down menu. It will kick you to AAA, and it's straightforward from there. You don't have to be a member or register or anything.

If I remember correctly, the main industry in Wawa is handing out speeding tickets, so be warned.

Does Wawa still have that dopey big goose?

Alright Preacher, this might be a better idea for you. How 'bout the trip you originally laid out in reverse? As I understand your preferences, I'd suggest that going counter-clockwise has numerous advantages for you. You would "have access" to more and closer people at the beginning and less wind exposure. If you end up behind schedule early, you can head out Twin/Dore' to make up time. P Narrows is a chute no matter which way the wind is blowing so plan to hit that early or late and get up early to travel. It's harder doing day-trips camped in there because of that.

Batch to Jesse is heavily traveled by Q standards. Not only is Jesse at the confluence of two routes, it's a destination/walleye lake with a ton of campsites.

Liz to Haliday might offer the best chance for solitude simply based on campsite number + location and portage use. There's old growth in there too. Sturgeon is heavily traveled. Oli, Fern, Bud? Again fewer campsites plus that portage is a mile. I've walked it numerous times from both sides, never portaged it. Not everyone considers that to be a portage they are up for and that makes it less desirable in loop/route terms. Don't be fooled by the pond in the middle. There's an unusual number of campsites right on or by portages through here. Some good hiding places too.

The other thing is if I don't know an area, I try to work out the approach going upstream. There's less chance of making a costly judgement error traveling upstream. Same thing with me and wind. Heading into it is a lot more controllable. Hanging on for dear life going down wind on Pickerel is rarely my idea of a good time unless conditions are perfect.

No pictos on your route to my knowledge and the moving water areas are not real spectacular but you never know. Beyond that, as with any route, the fishing is great, scenery wonderful, portages unique - and a nice mix too. There's some history along the way and prime moosey areas. Nym has cabins and boats. Sturgeon and Pickerel may have research or park boats on occasion.

Write all that down and take it with if you go that way. There's got to be at least two things in there that will make sense on a 10 day trip. Nice kindling in a pinch as well.

From to the Municipality of Wawa's web site: "Welcome to the Land of the Goose" and "Visit the Most Photographed Landmark in North America
Our Famous Goose Monument".

I think the OPP hands out tickets for insulting their plastic goose too.

---

Many thanks!  Will absorb it all and stare at maps while on the john.

Dopey goose?  Tragic goose!  Little Wawa by Stompin' Tom Connors.

Also thanks for the ticket warning.  Better scrape off my Toronto bumper sticker!   :D

I was going to make the booking today when something official came in the mail.

I'm on-call for Jury Duty for the week prior to my planned trip.  Anyone who has done Jury Duty knows that the on-call week can become months of sitting around watching someone who has been caught dead-to-rights, but has a good enough lawyer to drag it out.   :(

suxors

While my plans have been messed up by pulling jury duty, I'm still planning to get to Quetico this year.  With luck when will be figured out at the end of next week.  I'm required to be on JD for next week.  If I pull some stupid-long case, that's life and it's my duty & honour to participate in the legal system.  Might be nice to be on the other side for a change!

Anyone have any places they like to stop while driving from TO to Q?  Cheap places for food and sleep.  I ain't high falutin' when it comes to a bed for one night.  A motel would be better than a campsite, easier to get up and go in the morning.  Also places with scenery to stretch the legs and clear the head.

Planning for 2-3 days of driving.  10 hours is my extreme end of driving for a day, though I driven for days I think those days are behind me.

Initial plan is to get to Wawa the first day.  Atikokan the second day.  Start paddling on the third day.  So a night in Wawa & a night in Atikokan.

Definitely want to allow for 3 days getting home.  I always drive slow after a trip, head in the woods on tripping time & after a week of 4kph 40 seems downright dangerous!

I like to stay at the Circle Inn on my way to the Q. I live roughly 35 miles from Detroit. The 1st day is my big travel day. Not much too see going up I-75 to the Mackinaw bridge, so I get up about 2 am, and set the cruise control at 70 mph, and head for the Mackinaw city. Get there between 6-7 am, gas up and head for Sault St. Marie. About an hours drive from the Bridge. Get thru customs, and stop for a real breakfast.

Set cruise for about 65 mph and head for Terrace Bay. There's a city camping park with shower facilites in Terrace Bay, but I've never stayed there.  The Circle Inn is the other side of it, on the left hand side, can't miss it. Combination motel/bar/restaurant/gas station. Get in there about 3-4 pm. Gas up and get a room. Rooms are neat and clean, about $50 Canadian if I remember right? This also entitles you to a free breakfast next morning ;) I take a power nap, and then have a nice supper and a few drinks. Watch a little cable and crash. Up at 5 AM, shower and make coffee in room. Restaurant opens at 6 am. quick meal, and then I'm off to Atikokan. With time change, I get into town about 1 pm or so. Gas up, eat lunch and then about 3 pm head for Park headquarters. Get permits, stop for some cold beer and then on to Q-Dave's for the night.

I stop for photo ops on the way to Terrace Bay, so if your a road runner you could get there even earlier.  Part of the trip for me is the scenic drive up too Thunder Bay. Never get tired of it.

Booked the trip!  Aug 30 - Sep 8, though the res line didn't care about my departure date.

This will be my longest solo and my first time to Q!

I'm all a twitter.

:D

Preacher wrote on Jun 8^th, 2010 at 4:40pm:

Planning for 2-3 days of driving.  10 hours is my extreme end of driving for a day, though I driven for days I think those days are behind me.

You kids ... can't stay in there and pitch for 9 innings!!

My typical 1st day drive to reach Quetico is right at 14 hours ... near Dallas to Minneapolis.  There is still a significant drive the second day if I have a north-side entry.  And, yes I have driven it a number of times solo.

I just got back from a solo trip to WCPP where I did take 3 days in transit each way.  My longest day was from south of Omaha to Kenora, Ontario (going) and Kenora, Ontario to Council Bluffs, Iowa (coming) ... a 13+ hour stretch.  Ain't much fun, but you gotta get to/from where the fun is!

Oh, BTW:  I'm headed back up (to the Q this time) in September.

dd

I like Terrace Bay better than Wawa too. Actually, I like anywhere better than Wawa.

Couple of other things come to mind, recalling past trips through the area:

- According to AAA, the fastest route from T.O. used to be crossing the border at Sarnia, then north to cross back at Sault Ste-Marie. See my previous post re using the AAA website, and recheck their recommendations prior to departure - construction may be a factor too. Also, you don't want to go through Ontario cottage country on a weekend.

- All the provincial parks on Lake Superior are beautiful, but in the past, I've particularly liked stopping at Neys - the "self-guided nature trail" along the lakeshore is a particularly enjoyable if the weather is good.

- It's touristy, but if you need a brush-up on the voyageur historical thing, Fort William in Thunder Bay is worth a visit.

- Coming out of the park, you may want to stay in TB overnight (visit a laundromat, get a good meal, etc.) If so, I suggest you scout out places to stay in advance, and phone for a reservation from Atikokan when you get back on the road. I've found a lot of places do fill up in the summer, though you might be ok if you're  coming out after the labor day weekend.

Have a good trip!

Thanks!  Yes I'm planning for the worst (3 days driving) and hoping for the best (2 days).  Worst case scenario is I spend a day in Atikokan.  Best case is I get an extra day.  I presume there are sites on Nym outside the park boundry so I could pick up my permit a day early and have a Voyageur Start.

Detroit?  Google maps says that adds an hour.  Add another hour to enter the US and enter Canada again, maybe more if Customs wants to hassle me.  Oh and I'm *not* crossing a border with what I pack, potatoes & meat & every other cross-border contraband - honest!   ;)

Cottage country isn't so bad on a regular weekend.  I do that all the time.  NOT on a long weekend, but that's not my situation.

Avoid Wawa.  Gotcha.  Will drive through at 5km/h under the limit.  Take my photo of the goose.  Hum the Stompin' Tom song Little Wawa and send a 'honk-honk' to my Mrs from there.  In goose talk that means I love you and I always will be true.

Aaugh, no, not Windsor-Detroit. That's way out of your way, plus it's notorious as the slowest crossing on the entire U.S.-Canada border.

AA's recommendation is/was to take the 402 west from London and cross from Sarnia to Port Huron. The average savings used to be about an hour, so it would be more if you were starting from the west end of the city, or it could be zero if you're in the north east. Not a huge time-saver in any case.

But if you're wanting to take stuff with you that you feel U.S. customs won't like, it probably does make sense to just head north and avoid potential hassles.

I believe your information is incorrect in that it's not accounting for customs.  I doubt that crossing the border twice is going to save an hour.

I've been using Google Maps, it doesn't account for customs either.  The total time for either way is about the same, 20 hours.  An hour out of 20+ isn't going to give me an extra hour on the lake.

One batch of spaghetti sauce dehydrated and ready to portion & bag.  A couple tins of refried beans + mop for grilled burritos to do.


AND buddy just bought a Wenonah Wilderness so I may take that instead of my Prospector.  Same weight, but a dedicated solo boat would be preferable to bow-backwards a tandem.

"Best case is I get an extra day.  I presume there are sites on Nym outside the park boundry"

there is a campsite close to the Nym to Batch portage - on the point or near the point that is on your left as you make the final approach to the portage.  That is outside the park - no idea if it is Crown Land, or private, but I'd guess Crown Land, as there aren't any cottages on that shoreline in that vicinity.

thanks!

One other item to help me prepare.  More mental preparation than anything else.

Thunder boxes?  Are there any?  Hit & miss?  

No thunder boxes in Q. Gotta know when to hold, know when to fold...

I just browsed this thread - a few thoughts:
-If you want to push past Wawa but not to Schreiber, Marathon has a number of places to stay (ie. 2 or 3). I've stayed at the Marathon Harbour Inn & one of the ones on the highway (can't recall the name).  Both are good.
- If you need gas near Wawa, don't wait until after you see the goose (I did).  Next gas is White River if I recall.  Spartan2 recommended a place & restaurant in White R, but we've gone thru late at night so didn't stop (except for gas that one time.)  I hear there's a Pooh statue if you're there in the daytime.  That might even beat the goose in Wawa.
- Does your route include Olifaunt, Sturgeon, Halliday, Eliz, Jesse?  If so portages from Sturgeon to Halliday & to Eliz are memorable.  Check the portage database.  They're doable, but up-down-up-down on one of them - bang-bang-bang does one or the other end of the canoe...

Good luck! -Tom

PS: What is a thunder box??

wrote on Jul 21^st, 2010 at 2:48am:

PS: What is a thunder box??

A remote place to sit & ponder while the thunder rolls in... ;D

It's a crapper.  A wooden box over a hole.  The box has a lid.  If you let the lid slam shut it sounds like thunder.

Big image,
  (You need to Login or Register

It's no problem, one way or the other.  Just nice to know what to expect and to ensure I pack the trowel.

Thanks for the tips!

Quote:

If you let the lid slam shut it sounds like thunder.

Sometimes the "thunder" originates internally, not externally ;D
A steady diet of simple carbs/chemical additives to increase there shelf life, will often result in the " internal" Thunder ;)

I've never used a privy that wasn't a major fly/biting insect smörgåsbord ( for the bug) :'(

I'll take the open woods/ cat hole anytime.

solotripper wrote on Jul 21^st, 2010 at 5:54pm:

I'll take the open woods/ cat hole anytime.

If it's not too gross, it's cleaner too.

As with the loss of all amenities, being prepared for it is key.  That first warm shower after a cold trip is as welcome as the trip itself.  My second best nights sleep is always on a trip, the best being the first night home.  More platitudes to come.

Preacher wrote on Jul 21^st, 2010 at 4:20pm:

It's a crapper.

Ah, learn something new every day....  Nice crapper pic & thanks for the explanation!
-Tom