I don't think we have a thread up for this yet. I could be wrong.

Anyway, post where you're going if you like. I'm sure more will be posted after Copia as well.

I'm kicking around a shake out trip into Ted from the BWCA side via Agnes, Iron, and LLC tentatively scheduling late May. Looking at a late summer solo if the group solo thing comes together again.

Good question. I generally an a last minute planner based on seeing a gap in my schedule without much I have to get done. I'd like to go to Paddlefest in Old Forge NY and take off from there for a week on North Forest Canoe Trail - basically Old Forge to Saranac. Hope to research a trip to Wabakimi at Canoecopia - board train in Toronto and get off at Allanwater Bridge 24+ hours later. Who knows  if it's practical. Someone told me Kevin Callan did it do hope to talk to him a Copia.  If that doesn't work will look at a fall trip somewhere in BWCAW picking up my son in Chicago on way there. So some thoughts much earlier than usual.

Now that I have officially closed my small LLC, I guess I can truly call myself "fully-retired" versus "mostly-retired."  The upshot: I hope to do 3 canoe trips this year... assuming the border is not closed due to a virus or a war with Canada (remember the movie "Canadian Bacon"?).

In late June, we'll head out of Pickerel Lake for 15 days through the first week of July.  Whether we actually make it off of Pickerel will depend upon the "rehab" status of team members recovering from surgeries.  The most aggressive travel scenario would have us traveling down the B Chain to Sturgeon, then back north via Lonely, Walter, etc., to exit at Nym.  After a couple of relatively challenging routes last year, I could well be enticed to allow breezes blow me around big Pickerel Lake the entire time!  We'll see.  "Fishing" will figure prominently.

Two weeks after our return in July, I head to Pickerel, again, for the last 8 days of the month.  This time it's with my eldest son - now a Floridian - and a buddy of his, also from The Sunshine State.  My brother may also come along, which ensures "leisure", not "labor" will be our mantra.  This trip will be laid-back, portage-free and probably feature sandy beaches.

At the tail-end of August and into September there will likely be a multi-solo canoeing venture into the northwest sector of the park.  I've made some promises about walleye fishing to another QJer that I hope to fulfill.  I don't have the permit for this trip, yet, but I'm betting a flotilla of solos will come together for that purpose.  Chances are it will involve TWICE as many dogs as last year's armada.   At that time of year, it may become a test of our dogs' composure to deal with the cacophony of the resident fauna.  Seems like whenever I head into that part of the Q in September, I wake up to the sonorous serenade of rutting moose.  I'm hoping our dogs do not confuse these unique noises from similar, snoring sounds emanating from camp. 

Like BillConner, I'd love to do a Wabakimi OR an Atikaki trip (or even go back to Opasquia)... but NOT this year.  Even fully-retired, I still have a boss to report to at home.  She grants me but 3 get-aways before I am considered "AWOL."

Any QJer traveling around Pickerel Lake during the mid-June through end-of-July time period is welcome in my camp.  A pink flamingo flag will likely mark the location and there's always a QJ sticker on my canoe.

Happy trip planning!

Later,

Jimbo   8-)

I was pondering what to do in June, as Jimbo's Pickerel trip was too late in the month for me and too close to my late July trip  - not retired yet, or close - for work purposes.  Thanks to Pine Knot's suggestion, I was looking seriously at the Bushwhacker Jamboree, meeting up with him and Magic Paddler.  With a generous offer from MP to use his spare solo, I'm going to join up with him just after the Jambo and explore the Devine Creek and Lake area circa June 13-24.  It'll be my first drive up the Gunflint. 

Last week of July-first week of August will find me headed out of PP to do some kind of loop that involves Kett, Tuck, McIntyre, Ted, Argo, Brent and back to PP.  So far, just one friend and myself on that deal.  No permit yet, but looking at July 27-Aug. 6 or 7.  Also looking for any helpful info on Ted Lake.

Paddle on, be free!
pd

It isn't news that we don't do real "trips into the wild" anymore.  But we do return to the canoe country each summer, and usually to a cabin on the Gunflint Trail. 

This little girl who first traveled up there with us (photo is at age 4, June of 2007, in the lupine field behind Trail Center) for so many years is turning 17 in May, graduating from high school in June, and heading off somewhere (?) to college.

At the end of our cabin week last summer she announced that she cannot imagine leaving for college without her time with us in the canoe country.  I hope the week I have now reserved ends up working with no conflicts with college orientation, and that we can make it happen.  I am praying that nothing interferes with our plans, even a pandemic.   :-/

Anna is a young woman now, an accomplished photographer and a good paddler.  This time we have had each summer with her is so very precious, and while we never want it to come to an end, who knows what the future will bring?  We are not getting any younger, and she is spreading her wings.

---

I’ve already completed my first trip to Gunflint Lake. It was frozen and covered in 3’ or more of snow. Jigging was productive, trolling not so much. 8-)

Must've been 'hard' paddling OS!  :D

Spartan2 wrote on Mar 10^th, 2020 at 10:23pm:

It isn't news that we don't do real "trips into the wild" anymore.  But we do return to the canoe country each summer, and usually to a cabin on the Gunflint Trail.  This little girl who first traveled up there with us (photo is at age 4, June of 2007, in the lupine field behind Trail Center) for so many years is turning 17 in May, graduating from high school in June, and heading off somewhere (?) to college. At the end of our cabin week last summer she announced that she cannot imagine leaving for college without her time with us in the canoe country.  I hope the week I have now reserved ends up working with no conflicts with college orientation, and that we can make it happen.  I am praying that nothing interferes with our plans, even a pandemic.   :-/ Anna is a young woman now, an accomplished photographer and a good paddler.  This time we have had each summer with her is so very precious, and while we never want it to come to an end, who knows what the future will bring?  We are not getting any younger, and she is spreading her wings.

I'm going to to cry if you post more pictures of your grandduaghter! Makes me think of my duaghter at that age who is now 15 going on 16 and growing up way too fast. Sigh  :)

On another note, I have a Wabakimi trip planned for sometime this summer,. This might easily be converted into an Atikaki trip if the timing works out. I just feel I need a "wildnerness experience" this summer....

Anyone else? Now is the time to throw a few trips even if they all don't happen! We're all going to be sitting behind our computers for the next couple of weeks anyway :)

I had a walking vacation scheduled for Scotland early June. My fallback, if that didn't pan out due to travel restrictions, was to do a spur of the moment Quetico trip. Now they've closed the US-Canada border  :-/ :'(

I still have a hankering for Hoare Lake. I passed by several years ago but was too worn out to attempt. Then my trip the last half of September 2019 ended up being shortened by cold, rain, wind, etc and we opted not to attempt Hoare. Finally, a trip last summer with my 17 year old son didn't work out either--he was definitely not feeling the urge to bushwhack into Hoare.

Maybe for 2020 I will do my first trip to the Boundary Waters instead...I may be asking for advice as I've only paddled Quetico for the last 20 years.

My group has been exploring Atikaki in Manitoba for about five years. Each trip building onto the route done the year before. Last year we basecamped on Black Lake but added a lot of portages to my list of open portages. This year was to be another base Camp to the north of last years. With one partner out with severe disc pain and another needing a new knee desperately than plan will be postponed. Those still walking will attempt flying into Brad Lake, paddling north to the Leyond and take that to the Bloodvein. Paddle up the Bloodvein and take the Sassiginnigak back north. This route can't be done in the drier years. In that case we will explore waters SE of Brad. Any portage monkeys off work in August?

If the Quetico is off limits to Americans in late August I will most likely get a permit off the Gunflint Tail.  My first choice would be to get on Big Sag but if that's booked I have no problem taking another entry.  Ive never gone east of the Gunflint either.

As expected, Ontario Parks have issued a closure order.  The current closure notice extends until April 30.

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dd

I guess you could always get into Quetico from the south, couldn't you?

Atikaki would be enticing for August.

What are you going to do when they confiscate your canoe for illegal entry?

Might be a chilly swim back to BWCA....

Jimbo   8-)

No canoe trips for me this year :'(   Going to take a bike ride instead :) 

How will you catch walleyes from a bicycle???

MossBack wrote on Mar 20^th, 2020 at 3:22pm:

How will you catch walleyes from a bicycle???

Mpeebles has all the walleye trained.  They will come a flipping when he calls.

MossBack wrote on Mar 20^th, 2020 at 3:22pm:

How will you catch walleyes from a bicycle???

Trolling. 

That was the hardest part of my decision to do a bike trip as I will so much miss the canoe trips :'(   But I'll make up for it next year :). 

Hey Magic, how ya doing?  Hope you're OK after the loss of your brother.  I had a brother pass away shortly before yours did so I can relate.  Hang in there partner!
.....Mike

Jimbo wrote on Mar 20^th, 2020 at 4:48am:

What are you going to do when they confiscate your canoe for illegal entry? Might be a chilly swim back to BWCA.... Jimbo   8-)

Hahaha! They'd have to find you first (not that I'm suggesting anything extrajudicial)  ;D

HighnDry wrote on Mar 21^st, 2020 at 2:35am:

Jimbo wrote on Mar 20th, 2020 at 4:48am: What are you going to do when they confiscate your canoe for illegal entry? Might be a chilly swim back to BWCA.... Jimbo   8-) Hahaha! They'd have to find you first (not that I'm suggesting anything extrajudicial)  ;D

That is not a loon coming at you, its a DRONE!! Whenever you are near the border just assume you are being observed. When security first tightened up local news releases warned romantics to be cautious out there.

Drones are a game changer.  I'm noticing their work more in documentaries and films too.  But here's my creepy drone story.

I go to a playground park in the evenings and play frisbee with the dog.  Every once in a while she needs a breather so we will sit in the grass for a bit.  This one time I was just looking at the clouds when my eye caught a little speck in the sky.  It was motionless but soon I could detect it moving.  This thing was so high I never would have seen it unless I happened to look in one spot very closely. 

I was blown away by this as I realized what it was and soon it just flew off.  I am pretty sure this thing was just observing the park with a video camera and hopefully it caught me catching them!  :)

TomT wrote on Mar 21^st, 2020 at 12:23pm:

Drones are a game changer.  I'm noticing their work more in documentaries and films too.  But here's my creepy drone story. I go to a playground park in the evenings and play frisbee with the dog.  Every once in a while she needs a breather so we will sit in the grass for a bit.  This one time I was just looking at the clouds when my eye caught a little speck in the sky.  It was motionless but soon I could detect it moving.  This thing was so high I never would have seen it unless I happened to look in one spot very closely.  I was blown away by this as I realized what it was and soon it just flew off.  I am pretty sure this thing was just observing the park with a video camera and hopefully it caught me catching them!  :)

They are capable of amazing surveillance.  My nephew is a professional landscape architect & uses one on his job, professionally.  He brought it to our beach vacation house last year and used it to take group pictures as we posed on the upper porch deck.  You're absolutely right, TomT... the danged thing was LESS than a spec in the sky and those pics turned out to be incredible.

As most QJers should know, it is illegal to use them in Quetico.  Still, if I saw one, I would likely check with the park office after I exited to be sure it was theirs.  Hopefully, they are only using them for law enforcement and, possibly, for making whippoorwill & moose counts or that sort of thing.

Jimbo   8-)

Jimbo wrote on Mar 21^st, 2020 at 12:35pm:

TomT wrote on Mar 21st, 2020 at 12:23pm: Drones are a game changer.  I'm noticing their work more in documentaries and films too.  But here's my creepy drone story. I go to a playground park in the evenings and play frisbee with the dog.  Every once in a while she needs a breather so we will sit in the grass for a bit.  This one time I was just looking at the clouds when my eye caught a little speck in the sky.  It was motionless but soon I could detect it moving.  This thing was so high I never would have seen it unless I happened to look in one spot very closely.  I was blown away by this as I realized what it was and soon it just flew off.  I am pretty sure this thing was just observing the park with a video camera and hopefully it caught me catching them!  :) They are capable of amazing surveillance.  My nephew is a professional landscape architect & uses one on his job, professionally.  He brought it to our beach vacation house last year and used it to take group pictures as we posed on the upper porch deck.  You're absolutely right, TomT... the danged thing was LESS than a spec in the sky and those pics turned out to be incredible. As most QJers should know, it is illegal to use them in Quetico.  Still, if I saw one, I would likely check with the park office after I exited to be sure it was theirs.  Hopefully, they are only using them for law enforcement and, possibly, for making whippoorwill & moose counts or that sort of thing. Jimbo   8-)

   What's REALLY going on!  :-? :o ;D ;D

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Drones, smones who cares? My thought until a friend brought one to my cabin last month. Since he could view the camera image on his device it was easy to direct it on a mission. I have been using the video clips for my YouTube posts. Want to see if that campsite is taken on the next lake,no proble!!

There was a story a few years ago about someone shooting down a drone with a rifle or shotgun that got over his property. I’m all for that but I don’t own a gun. 😕

TomT wrote on Mar 21^st, 2020 at 4:48pm:

There was a story a few years ago about someone shooting down a drone with a rifle or shotgun that got over his property. I’m all for that but I don’t own a gun. 😕

"More recently, a resident in Kentucky shot down a Phantom drone that flew over his property as he argued that the drone violated his and his family’s right to privacy. There was some dispute as to how low the drone flew – the property owner estimated that it was at 100 feet or less, while the drone pilot had data to support that it was at above 200 feet. Although the property owner was initially arrested by the police, he was eventually cleared of all charges, with the judge stating that he had “the right to shoot the drone.”

  If you were shooting a Drone with a shotgun using
the best combo of goose loads/gauge of a shotgun,
the effective range is going to be about 50 yds, give or take. So that drone was pretty close or else he couldn't have shot it down.

  You can pick-up a good single shot 12 gauge Turkey gun for about $150 or so. Very safe to keep UNLOADED at home or to bring as a camp gun for vehicle type camping. Zombies aside, you can't count on 911 responding in MINUTES, when your life is in SECONDS of being endangered. ;)

Marten wrote on Mar 19^th, 2020 at 1:47am:

My group has been exploring Atikaki in Manitoba for about five years. Each trip building onto the route done the year before. Last year we basecamped on Black Lake but added a lot of portages to my list of open portages. This year was to be another base Camp to the north of last years. With one partner out with severe disc pain and another needing a new knee desperately than plan will be postponed. Those still walking will attempt flying into Brad Lake, paddling north to the Leyond and take that to the Bloodvein. Paddle up the Bloodvein and take the Sassiginnigak back north. This route can't be done in the drier years. In that case we will explore waters SE of Brad. Any portage monkeys off work in August?

Hey Marten. That's kind of interesting.  My bike trip is scheduled to start June 3.  I can't start much later than that for various reasons.  If I can't do the trip because of the virus thing I might be interested in carrying gear around for a few weeks in August.   It's going to be interesting to see how this pans out.

Tom T.  are you're plans still on for the bushwhacking trip in Sept. if conditions allow?

Later.........

Atikaki would indeed be an adventure. I had something planned a couple years ago to do a loop via Aiken L. but couldn't pull it off.  I'll get in there soon I'm sure.

MPeebles I decided to put that one off for another time. I hope your bike ride happens. Stay healthy!

TomT wrote on Mar 21^st, 2020 at 11:56pm:

MPeebles I decided to put that one off for another time. I hope your bike ride happens. Stay healthy!

Tom T.  Understandable.

I was talking to my son today.  He was going to join me on the first ten days of the bike trip.  He's a doc and did a stint at the CDC a few years ago working on the swine flu thing.  He thought the bike ride is in jeopardy at this point.  We'll see what shakes out.  If I don't go for a bike ride I'll be going for an extended canoe trip someplace......IF the nice folks in Canada let me in. 

You stay safe as well ......as with everyone else out there.

I think I'm going to venture out sometime in late May to Seagull or Sag to get in a tune-up trip. It looks like it will be BWCA trips for the first half of the summer. Life could be worse. ;)

I'm so glad I didn't try to go early this year. Our trip is 7-30. I wonder if the park will be loaded with people at that time of year if they don't get things open until well into June.

LLC from Crane next weekend. Will try to get into Fish Stake Narrows. Just an FYI. Also, I received some good intel from Wally13 (thanks!) on his trip up there with other illustrious QJers. I feel like I'm set.