[Paddlewise] Voyageurs / BWCA

From: Keith Wrage <keith.wrage_at_charter.net>
Date: Thu, 13 May 2004 13:21:56 -0500
Steve,

Chuck's comments reminded me - even in the last week of Sept we had trouble 
finding an open site on Friday night - all other days there wasn't a 
problem but on the weekends there are still enough fishermen around to have 
a bit of competition for sites.  I've heard/read trip reports from the BW 
that suggest getting to portages early in the day so you don't have to wait 
in line for portaging.  To me, that doesn't constitute solitude.  All 
depends on where you go - the further in and more portages you are willing 
to do the more 'away' you can get.  Not sure how this would be on Rainy.

Also, the 'circumnavigation' of the peninsula is kind of the standard 7 or 
8 day paddling trip in VNP.  We did not do this - chose to simply explore 
the area between the Ash River Visitor's Center, the Kettle Falls Hotel and 
the Wolf Pack Islands (nice area).  Weather kept us in camp a couple of 
days.  Also, in VNP you'll find areas and some campsites with sand beaches 
- nice for kayaking.  BW most landings are rock outcrops or mud.

Again, routes are available within the BW that minimize portaging.  If I 
were going to kayak in the BW I'd *really* think about my equipment list 
and packing plan.  The little pieces and packages required for loading a 
kayak don't lend themselves to frequent portaging.  Going in late fall you 
also have to take more clothes and gear too (larger sleeping bag, 
etc).  Dumping a Duluth pack in a canoe is nothing like stuffing 15 little 
items in a hatch!

K
PS:  I have an Excel spreadsheet of VNP GPS waypoints (campsites) that I 
got from the NPS GIS office if you want that.
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Received on Thu May 13 2004 - 12:01:03 PDT

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