I am heading into Q (Beaverhouse) in mid-July for a week, but have not finalized my route yet. If anyone is familiar with any or all of my trip options, I'd be grateful for feedback.

I'm familiar with the info in pcd and the QJ portage database, so no need to duplicate anything there.

Possible segment #1: Quetico R - Namakan R - Wolseley L - Badwater L
I know this now falls under the Entry Point 41 quota (not #32), but have been assured by park staff that "this quota never fills up", so I will change my permit if it becomes an option.

- How bad might Bearpelt Creek be in a low-water year like this one (ie worst case scenario)? Impassable or just an hour or two extra wading?

- How much motorized traffic should I expect to see on Namakan and Wolseley?

- If I go the reverse route (starting at Badwater) how difficult is the Q River paddle likely to be going upstream? Still doable by noobs? For that matter, how difficult is the upstream paddling on the Namakan?

- Are there any campsites at the south end of the Q River? (None in pcd in this area, but I know that the Fisher maps show a few on the Namakan - Three Mile stretch). If none, how friendly is the terrain for impromptu camping?


Possible segments #2, 3, and 4
There appear to be four ways of paddling from Quetico Lake to Badwater (or vice versa). I have already done the southernmost one (Jean Creek - Sturgeon L - Bentpine Creek), and would like to try one or two of the other three.

- Disregarding distance and portaging considerations, does anyone have any preferences between:
a) Bee L - Brown L - Lynx L - Robin L
b) Your L - Boulder L - Jean L
c) Bentpine L - Clair L - Burntside L - Jean L

- In route (a) above, I understand the segment between Noname L and Lynx L can be difficult in low-water conditions. Anyone have any more info on this?

- Any recommended side trips in this area?

Of course all plans may need to be changed on the fly depending on weather conditions, but there's always the quick out from Badwater to West Bay! I'm familiar with that portage.

TIA