First post in a looooong time. Thinking of entering Q from the north side, Dawson Trail. Anybody have any experience with this outfitter: Quetico Outfitter Camp Quetico? Or suggestions for a good outfitter? All we need are a couple canoes and before/after trip accommodations. Thanks!

They were a good option before the pandemic. Probably still a good choice. It’s been a few years. Welcome back  8-)

Thanks OS! Thinking about entering from north side to get around the uncertainty of the still-to-be-determined replacement program for the RABC.

George White (GeoFisher) has been to Camp Quetico a couple times.  He raves about the place.  Not sure if he's on this forum, but he's a good guy and I'm sure he would offer plenty of info.

I used them for complete outfitting 3 years ago.  They were excellent, very easy to deal with, on time for pick up, flexible and reasonably priced.  One tiny quibble, the axe they had in the pack was so dull all it could do was dent anything.  lol.

But everything else was great.

Thanks everyone! That's just what I needed to hear. The RABC program still hasn't been restarted(as of 3/29/22), so it looks like I'll be doing a Northside entry. Probably Nym Lake. Looking to do 7-8 days on the water, so if anyone has route suggestions or specific sites to visit...
Thanks again!

What kind of trip are you doing?  When are you going? I know this part of the park like I know every square inch of my . . . you know.  Anyway, I'd be happy to divulge information on everything I know about this part of the park.

Phantom Jug - Going early August. Two adults, two young(16,12). 7-9 days, entering probably at Nym. Going south via Jesse, Walter, Lonely to Sturgeon and then heading back either Twin Lakes & Dore or Olifaunt & Bisk, Beg to Pickerel. Then either back to Nym or takeout at French. Wind on Pickerel will probably be the deciding factor. Is there a best direction to do the loop? Current in Sturgeon Narrows? Notable portages? Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

My Fall 2016 trip report covers some of that route.

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Start at Sept 19 to Sept 23. going down Pickerel Narrows then thru the B-Chain to Olifaunt. Not a lot of good campsites on Olifaunt for a lake that size. Went out via the 3 small portages.

There's current in the narrows but not enough to matter. I'd suggest clockwise just to make life a little easier in any case.

Ditto on the current in Sturgeon Narrows, especially THAT time of year.  Shouldn't even figure in. ST is right re: Oliphaunt camps; your best bet there might be the one on the northern shore, just east of the portage... and that's nothing to write home about.  Also, while those 3 small portages he mentions may actually consume more time, that option is by far the prettier way to go and you may see swans there, if they're still hanging around.  If it's an especially dry year, you might do better exiting via Oliphaunt & Bisk vs. Deux Rivieres, which could be a mud slog.

Either way, plan to get an early start on Pickerel Lake whether it's south-to-north OR west-to-east.  Afternoon breezes may give you more excitement than you really want.

Like PJ and ST, I know all of your route pretty well.  If there you have particularly nagging questions about specific lakes, just drop me a PM and I'll be happy to share what I can remember or have kept notes on.

Later,

Jimbo   8-)

db wrote on Mar 31^st, 2022 at 3:33pm:

There's current in the narrows but not enough to matter. I'd suggest clockwise just to make life a little easier in any case.

The current in Sturgeon Narrows is tied to the water level at the time. Much of the current comes from the water pouring out of Russell Lake.

Paddled into the current many times. It's not a big deal but if you stop paddling you'll be surprised how fast/far it will carry you back.

  So if you want to visit Olifaunt Lk, do you want to do the B-Chain with a full food pack going clockwise OR at the end with a empty one?

  Another thing going in August where the winds should be out of the West is the possibility of being wind bound for maybe one day or more?

  If you take 9 days and plan for 1 wind day, then you can probably hit Olifaunt and still get out on schedule.

If 7 days, allowing for 1 wind day, then Olifaunt might be a stretch.

I've only crossed Nym one time coming out one year. That was a white knuckel crossing because Nym can get pretty rough, same with Batch.

PJ can speak on that better than me. Just something to think about.

Jimbo, ST: thanks for the great info. I may be getting back to you later, but what you've already provided is wonderful. The wind direction on Pickerel will clearly be a factor in exit point. My son and his 16 yr old son(3rd trip) and 12 yr old daughter(1st trip) will be in a Minnesota 3(or similar). I will be using my Bell Magic solo. I've been all over the southern half of the park - Man Chain, Falls Chain, Agnes, Kash, Kawnipi, Sarah, Brent, Darky, Crooked... - but never the northern entry pts. I'm nearly 70, and its about time I got up there to some new water. thanks again. Be safe.

Oh, and Phantom Jug too!

Wind-In-Face wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2022 at 3:34am:

Jimbo, ST: thanks for the great info. I may be getting back to you later, but what you've already provided is wonderful. The wind direction on Pickerel will clearly be a factor in exit point. My son and his 16 yr old son(3rd trip) and 12 yr old daughter(1st trip) will be in a Minnesota 3(or similar). I will be using my Bell Magic solo. I've been all over the southern half of the park - Man Chain, Falls Chain, Agnes, Kash, Kawnipi, Sarah, Brent, Darky, Crooked... - but never the northern entry pts. I'm nearly 70, and its about time I got up there to some new water. thanks again. Be safe.

Generally speaking the winds should be out of the West that time of year. If so you might get a push eastward on Pickerel if you're lucky?

Late to the party…just wanted to say that I’ve used Camp Quetico’s services every time I went to the park in the last few years. Barry Giles has been very efficient and friendly.

I’ve never stayed at the lodge cabins but everything there looks very nice and well-maintained. The main lodge is spacious and comfortable-looking.

I went in via Nym for 6 days in late August 2018. Like others have said, wind on Pickerel is an issue, so I’d opt for a pick up at French Lake, so you can surf west-to-east on Pickerel.

Wind-In-Face wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2022 at 3:34am:

My son and his 16 yr old son(3rd trip) and 12 yr old daughter(1st trip) I'm nearly 70, and its about time I got up there to some new water

wow that is awesome. you are lucky. i hope i can be talking about doing something like that with my son and his daughter some day.

I can recommend Barry and Camp Quetico highly

We stayed in one of their cabins the night before heading out, and he shuttled us to Stanton. That was the year of the early snowfall and us getting windbound on pickerel. He came to the take out at Stanton looking for us before dark and left a note saying he'd be back the next day... Luckily the weather did indeed break, we got up towards emerald and made the break across to the north. About four inches of snow everywhere haha! We caught cell service and made our rendezvous for pick up two hours later.

Anyhow, we're planning on getting a cabin there again the night before our trip this September and renting a canoe from them

Is he still in business? I was talking to some folks recently who thought he had sold the place and moved on. I'd be curious to know.

HighnDry wrote on Aug 4^th, 2022 at 2:21am:

Is he still in business? I was talking to some folks recently who thought he had sold the place and moved on. I'd be curious to know.

I sent an email about a month ago asking about a cabin for the night before entry and renting a canoe and received a timely response. Planning on calling in the next week or so to solidify plans and will report back.

Good to know! I'll use them the next time I'm up that way.