Possible? Where to? Atikokan offices? Going in from the south through BWCA on the 15th. Any advice --- would like to skip going through PP if possible and just head up through Fall Lake to Pipestone aiming for Kett portages....

I have done it from the north.  The office in Atikokan will mail you the form to fill out which is the same form which is in the boxes at the entry point.  If you are coming from the south you have the issue of RBC.

Do you mail it back to the Atikokan park office? I've got some blank ones from the self-serve box at PP.

I don't think it's "by the book" but sense that the office regularly​ allows this by permission. Call them and ask. I've heard they have taken cc over the phone.

Thanks Bill. I think I'll give them a call today and see what they say.

HighnDry wrote on May 8^th, 2017 at 3:35pm:

Thanks Bill. I think I'll give them a call today and see what they say.

And post their answer here...inquiring minds want to know...Thanks  8-)

I did discuss entry with QPP superintendent Trevor Gibbs at Canoecopia and I know he is working towards assuring face to face meeting with rangers and all trippers as part of entry. Obviously, a meeting with a box at PP may be less than face time, and a telephone "meeting" is probably more supportive of the goal, so will be interesting to see how this works out.

Quote:

I know he is working towards assuring face to face meeting with rangers and all trippers as part of entry.

I HOPE that meeting is VOLUNTARY except for MAYBE first-time visitors to the park?
At one time (maybe still) when you checked in at the park office in Atikokan they made you watch a little movie/read a pamphlet and a nice lady gave you a "talk".

I didn't mind the FIRST time, but when they wanted me to do it the NEXT trip, I started using the self-serve box.

My son and I had the talk from the nice lady and it took forever.  My son and I were the only one in the group receiving the talk.  Skipping the nice lady is  a reason to check in at the ranger station.  I have never been given a "talk" at the BH ranger station.

The mail in option is for when the rangers stations are not open.  I mail mine to Atikokan.

solotripper wrote on May 9^th, 2017 at 1:57pm:

Quote: I know he is working towards assuring face to face meeting with rangers and all trippers as part of entry. I HOPE that meeting is VOLUNTARY except for MAYBE first-time visitors to the park? At one time (maybe still) when you checked in at the park office in Atikokan they made you watch a little movie/read a pamphlet and a nice lady gave you a "talk". I didn't mind the FIRST time, but when they wanted me to do it the NEXT trip, I started using the self-serve box.

My take was everytime. They have all but eliminated their "cooperator" program where outfitters could get your permit.  Not sure if there is a video. IIRC the Mack Lake fly in is one exception - left to pilot. And off season. But rangers everywhere else.

And it may have been modified since I heard about it. Policy is fluid.