RE: [Paddlewise] Canoe trip on the Rio G

If you want wilderness canoeing, I recommend the Boundary Waters Canoe
Area Wilderness (BWCAW), which is in northern Minnesota on the Ontario
border. Manay consider it the canoeing Mecca of the U.S.

The BWCAW is about one million acres in size. It encloses hundreds, if
not thousands, of lakes connected by portage paths that range from a
few meters to a couple of kilometers in length, with the average being
maybe 500 meters. (The portages are measured in rods, with a rod being
approximately 5 meters long.) The environment is boreal forest: a mix
of white pine, red pine, jack pine, aspen, and birch.

No permanent structures are allowed in the BWCA, except for a few ranger
cabins. You must camp at official campsites, which consist of a couple
of prepared tent pads, a fire grate, and a pit toilet that has the sky
for a roof. Though travel permits can be reserved in advance, specific
campsites cannot. Once you put in, you can go wherever you want; I
recommend a route with a few long portages, however, to shake off the
crowds of less energetic visitors. No shuttle is required if you plan a
loop route.

The scenery is spectacular. Though mosquitoes and black flies can be a
nuisance early in the summer, they  are mostly gone by August, when the
lakes are at their warmest. September is also a good time to visit, and
there are fewer visitors then. Animal life includes black bears, moose,
deer, wolves, bobcats, lynx, otters, mink, and beavers, among others,
though it is rare to see much wildlife.

There are many outfitters on the edge of the BWCAW in Ely and Grand
Marais who can supply you with canoes, tents, maps, food, and other
supplies. Many of them rent fast, light, Kevlar canoes, many of which
are made in Minnesota by We-no-nah.

The BWCAW is also cooler than the Rio Grande. Summer temperatures
generally range from the 40s (F.) at night to the 80s during the day.

Chuck Holst

 -----Original Message-----
From: Adam Sawyer [mailto:ecsasawy_at_livjm.ac.uk]
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 1998 9:47 AM
To: paddlewise
Subject: [Paddlewise] Canoe trip on the Rio Gran


Hi,
I am interested in taking a CANOE trip down the Rio Grande from
Rancherias Canyon to Dryden Crossing.  Has anyone done this trip?  Is it
suitable for a tripping canoe WITHOUT spraycover?  I am looking for a 7
day trip to do in the US (we are from the UK) with nice scenery, a sense
of wilderness and decent weather - the Rio Grande seems to fit the bill.

If anyone HAS paddled it, the information I want is:

1. Will there be portages, if so, how long and many.
2. What are the camping possibilities?
3. Could we hire boats/obtain a shuttle from a local outfitter?
4. Are there alot of continous waves (Canoe swamping size!!!)

Hope someone can help,

email me on

ecsasawy_at_livjm.ac.uk

Thanks in advance, Adam

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