Joe -

I'm hoping to meet up with you and Steve on Friday, Apr 26th at the Midwest show.  I know that both Harlan and Claire plan to attend, so maybe we can all (including Jimbo) get together at some point during that weekend. 

Although I haven't coordinated any of this with Jimbo yet, my plan goes something like this:

My preference would be for mid- to late-July put-in for a 2 week "on-the-water" trip (but being retired, I have plenty of flexibility on this).

My understanding is that East Lake would likely serve as an operational hub for this adventure.  With East Lake having in excess of 20 miles of "straight line" paddling (you'd actually make something like a "J" route) before hitting the class 2-3 rapids headed west toward Cocos or Joint Lakes, I'd likely spend much of my time exploring that lake and the multitude of side channels.  If I decide to do an out-and-back headed west, I'd first check out the 80 rod "portage" south of the rapids.  Going to the south end of East Lake, I'd be interested in checking out the abandoned Native American fish camps, but would not likely proceed any further south than that due to what I've seen labeled as a "heavy use" area in the lake just beyond (and just beyond that you get into an area that is served by the main lodge of Big Hook Outfitters).  There is also a glacial moraine that approaches the shoreline in this area that might also be interesting to see.

I have a solo pakcanoe which should facilitate things a bit, since it can be loaded as "gear" in the plane.  I'll insure its efficacy for such a trip with a fly-in/fly-out trip to WCPP this year. (Actually I can configure it for a tandem, but I don't believe it suitable for that purpose for anything longer than a weekend-type trip.)

I'd be OK with a group of 3 (seems the cheapest way to do it) where a tandem canoe might be strapped on the floats with an opportunity for each to swap positions in the available water craft.

I do fish, but enjoy exploring at least as much ... and I don't have to make a lot of miles to have fun.

dd