"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? "

Likely answer is not too difficult.  Went down the Namakan and up the Quetico r  (1 tandem and 1 solo) in 2000, in what I'd say was a somewhat higher than average water level.  I don't think you have to worry about water levels getting too low for that, and there wasn't much current, but enough to know you were going upstream.

I don't recall any campsites on the Q river, though we weren't really looking.  there were sites on the Namakan - typically heavily used from the fishing guides.  Didn't see any motor boats, but did have a float plane come in and land on 3 mile lake, dropping off a guided fishing party, most likely.

I think I'd prefer going down the Namakan and up the Quetico to the reverse.