W-13 -- If you get to Hook Island by 8, and don't get bogged down at the Ranger Station, you'll get into Kawnipi easy that first day.  I wouldn't stay in the Falls Chain.   I'd push on to Kawnipi.  Lots of traffic, busy place the Falls Chain. 

prouboy

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Since you have not been to that end of Kawnipi, perhaps you are unaware that the area north/northwest of Kennebas falls is part a burn area that extends back to the eastern side of Kawa bay/eastern side of McVicar Bay.  So, while there may be campsites in the area, several of them are not the most desirable because of that (and some have been pretty well obliterated).

On our Falls Chain route last year, we decided to stop at Kenney Lake going in and the entrance to McVicar Bay coming out.

Going in last year we got a late start and were dropped off in a "heavy chop" (make that 3+ foot swells).  So, we just decided to camp on Hook Island and head out the next morning.  The (unmarked) campsite we used on the south side of Hook, and while partially blocked by a large deadfall, it still had room for a couple of tents.

dd

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Somewhat similar except you will need to cross to the island where the ranger station is located.  You'll get to land at a dock there (something like the Nym put-in). 

The difference between the ranger check-in at PP versus Cache Bay is that the Cache Bay rangers are down right chatty.  I guess it has something to do with the lower traffic level and the necessity of informing you about the dangers associated with travel up/down the falls chain.  In addition, when we were there last May, the ranger was accompanied by a "ranger in training," which took even longer because each check-in step had to be explained to the trainee.  The chat session continued even longer when the ranger got wind of my affiliation with QuietJourney.

My general feeling about checking-in at PP is that they are interested in moving you through as rapidly as possible (I supposed because they are handling vastly more people).

dd

You'll have to really push it to get to Kawnipi on the first day.  And the others are correct about the quality of the sites on that part of Kawnipi.  The better sites are an hour or so away up by Kawa and McKenzie Bays.

I'd should for the Sidney Lake (after Bald Rock Falls and not named on many maps) or even Kenny Lake.  Both have very nice sites that can easily been seen as you paddle by.

And why rush?  There is great fishing along the way.  The channel in Saganagons right before the Falls Chain is always good for fishing as are any of the pools below the falls.  Last year, we camped right next to Bald Rock falls (camp is the opposite side of the portage) and had a great time jigging below the falls.

I am heading that way on the 13 of June and appreciate all of the help here.