markaroberts

[markaroberts]

My comment on the parks is mainly the bathrooms. We have camped throughout Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Florida, north and south Carolinas, Main, Wisconsin and Minnesota. I have yet to find a state park . ..other then New York. . .that operates everything as basically primitive. I called before leaving last time to confirm all parks and all facilities would be open and was told everything was open and operational by May 15. When we camped at both parks, in each case only one bathhouse was unlocked and usable. No hot water or showers. All the other parks mentioned above had bathrooms with showers and most with heat. If I had know that the state parks basically offered only spartan amenities, I would have opted for the lean twos.

[markaroberts]

Thanks for your comments. I think we will do just section two this time and enjoy it. I am looking at driveing up on Saturday May 16 and paddling Sunday-Tuesday, driving back Wednesday morning May 20. We are used to colder weather as we go to the Boundary Waters each year in mid to late September. Just trying to stay away from the black flies. When we did Section 1 we paddled May 17, 18 and 19. Pretty much paddled all day on the 17th to eighth lake campground, then paddled all day the 19th to Forked Lake state park. I think we were at the takout on the 19th around noon. (had the help of a scout group with a canoe trailer for that last 2 mile portage). This time I would like to take it a little slower. Bugs started coming out the second day and were out full force by May 18 and 19 to the point we had to stay in the bug suits until after dark to eat. Temps had risen in to the 70’s at that point.

Would you suggest stretching section two out to four days? Also, on the camping.. .the state parks were the worst we have stayed in at any state (we have camped in MANY states). Basically just a camp site, and table. Bathrooms were not open yet mid May either. This time we might go the lean to route. We hammock camp vs tents as well. Thanks again for your help

[markaroberts]

so feeding this back. . .section two can easily be done in 3 days, but sections 2 and 3 together would be a 5-6 day trip? If we do just section two, where would you spend the two nights?

[markaroberts]

Last year there were five of us. . .three in one canoe, two in another. We started section 1 about 9:30 AM or so on a Friday. Were at the takeout at the end around 11:00 AM sunday. We stayed at eighth lake campground and at the state park campground on Forked Lake. This was May 17, 18, 19. First night temps were in the low 30’s. No bugs that Friday. Warmed up a lot Saturday and the black flies came in thick Saturday night at Forked lake. Had to wait to eat dinner until well after dark as we could not get out of our bug nets. Sunday we made great time as we got a ride on a group with an empty canoe trailer for the last portgage. Bugs were out, but manageable. As said before, we were disappointed only in the state parks. Most of the bathhouses were not even open and only one ranger available at each park. A lot of maintenance needed on those parks. Should have gone with the lean toos.

We have always opted for colder temps if it meant fewer bugs. Probably go the same time this spring. Are sections 2 and 3 doable in a three day trip? Where would you camp if you were doing both sections? We are used to moving water and rapids here in KY so that won’t be an issue. Also used to cold temps (lot of Boundary Waters trips).

for those that suggested eating places along section 1. . .big thanks!. the guys said that was a highlight of the trip to get to meet local people and check out the small towns along the way.

[markaroberts]

Have any of you stayed at the Old Forge Camping resort? Any comments on it? How far a walk is it to the put in? Any restaurants in walking distance from the camping resort?

[markaroberts]

we are treating outer wear with Permethrin and bringing head nets. We have done the BWCA many years, but always go in early May or mid September when there are very few flies. Apparently they come earlier in Old Forge then in Minnesota. . .and its been warm the past couple of weeks there. We are still going. Temps are supposed to drop which should help some.

[markaroberts]

We are evaluating kevlar vs royalex canoes. We have kevlar ourselves, but have decided to rent when we get there and not trailer ours up. If I understand correctly, the only two portages that cannot be wheeled are the last two on Raquette River? What is the carry like there? Would you opt for the much lighter kevlar boats? Our experience in Boundary waters with kevlar Minnesota II’s is that they are faster then the royalex canoes as well. What have you guys paddled? What are those last two portages like to carry?

[markaroberts]

“I don’t like doing carries first thing in the morning.”

aren’t both of these portages wheelable? I was under the impression that on the wheeled portages there is little unpacking to do. We travel ultralight (boundary waters trippers for many years) and use hammocks instead of tents, and on this trip will be using freeze dried food items. We will have only one pack per person, plus a food pack. As we have water filtration with us, we don’t carry a lot of water. I don’t see unpacking for the wheeled portages as there will be little weight in the boats, and are the portages at Raquette we will do as we do in Boundary Waters. One guy carries the canoe on his shoulders using the yoke, the other guy takes the packs.

I am curious about the lean toos. I have never stayed in one. Can a hammock be used in one? How do you handle cooking and bathroom use? I called the campgrounds and they will have just opened. They said no reservations needed as there will be very few people there at that time. The campgrounds give us fresh water we don’t have to filter, campfire, cooking grates and bathhouses and showers. Also, trees for the hammocks. Why do you favor the lean toos, or am I missing something here?

we have decided to take two cars and handle the shuttle ourselves. I’m not paying $165 to have someone drive one guy back 45 miles with no gear involved. Where do you suggest we leave the car at Long Lake?

Thanks for your help.

[markaroberts]

we are in final stages of laying out our trip. Arrive at Old Forge on Thursday, May 16 and stay in the Old Forge campground that night. Friday we plan to push off shortly after daylight and paddle through to Eighth Lake Campground . Will probably try to stop for lunch at Daikers on the way. Saturday, leave after daylight and paddle through to Forked Lake Campground. Sunday we are anticipating arrive at take out at Long lake sometime before noon.

Any suggestions on this? We will be taking hammocks and tents. Any suggestions on sites at these two campgrounds? I am having a little trouble booking a site on line as they keep popping up as two night minimums.

also, regarding a shuttle. We need someone to follow us to the takeout at Long Lake on Thursday, and drive us back to the campground. No gear. . .just one guy from our group. We are getting shuttle fee bids in the $165 range. Seem really high considering they are not transporting any kind of gear and don’t need a van. Any suggestions on this?

thanks!

Mark

[markaroberts]

Looks like we will be doing section one May 17-19. Any suggestions on a campground to spend the night the night before so we can push off at dawn? What about leaving our vehicle at the takeout at the end of section one. Any suggestions on where? Any any recommendations on an outfitter to follow us to the takeout and bring us back to the put in? Thanks!

[markaroberts]

Thanks for all your input. We’ll stick with section 1 for this first trip. We have all done multi day trips here in KY Rivers, as well as having done week long trips in the Boundary Waters the last 5 years. They guys were interested if there was any places to eat along the way. Any suggestions where either of you stopped to eat along section 1? We don’t mind cooking for the 3 days, just thought the change up would be nice. Also, did you use an outfitter to pick you up at the take out or did you leave a car there? We were considering camping the night before in Old Forge at the camp ground by the put in. Dropping off the boats there, and driving the Explorer and canoe trailer up to the take out at the end of section one. How did you guys handle it?

[markaroberts]

thanks for your input. When the site went down last year, I lost all the comments. If I am reading your correctly, if we can only paddle 3-4 days we should look at just section 1? I’ll stick with the May 18 dates. Also will check out the campgrounds. We typically hammock. We also filter our own water so that won’t be an issue. Thanks again. Will check out your blog.

[markaroberts]

I would love help and additional resources. I am planning to paddle section 1 (and possibly 2) this May. Will be with a group of 4-5 other paddlers. Thanks!

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