 Thanks: 33 times
Was thanked: 14 time(s) in 13 post(s)
|
Hey Makwa!, I have started at the Kawishiwi Lake EP before, and ended with the GP too. But never in the same trip. Your plan sounds fun! I can't speak to crossing the Gunflint, but I would bet some of the outfitters in the mid Gunflint Trail can give you an idea if you don't get the answers you need here. However, I think I can offer some advice on the GP, having done it in 2018.
1. Getting to the GP is actually pretty straightfoward. You will technically leave the BWCA at South Fowl Lake. From there, you can use the Fowl Portage to get to the Pigeon River. It is on the Canadian side, and it wasn't bad when I was there. Most reports indicate it is awful, so I think I just got lucky with really dry weather. Expect a challenge but nothing that can't be overcome. The Pigeon River is a beautiful, lazy, paddle with the exception of the English Rapids area. There is no portage there anymore, so expect to stay in your boat if the water is high, and to wade in the river if it is low (which was my experience, see below). After the English Rapids, you have an unmarked portage on the McKenzie Map (it is marked accurately here on paddle planner) around Partridge Falls on the US side of the river, and then an easy paddle down to Fort Charlotte. You'll likely camp at Fort Charlotte (free but required a reservation) and then tackle the GP the next day. 2. The GP itself is just long. We tried to walk for 10 minutes at a time, take a breather, repeat. Find a rhythm that works for you, but don't be she about taking a break. The GP itself was well maintained when I went through, so the challenge wasn't mud or overgrowth, it was just length. At the end, be sure to drop your canoe in the big lake just to say you did!
What follows is a write-up I did at BWCA.com after my trip. I'm happy to answer any other questions to the best of my ability. Have fun! I'm so glad I did it, and wouldn't hesitate to do it again if I find myself in the area. -------------------------------------------- Last weekend, I had the pleasure of checking an item off my bucket list when I did the Grand Portage with a friend. Prior to the trip, we were concerned because the Pigeon River was reported to be quite low. The Grand Portage National monument webpage says:
"After examining the current hydrogaph (be sure to select the right year) you should note that very difficult paddling conditions can be expected at 100 cfs (cubic feet per second) and below."
The Hydrograph said we were lined up to paddle it below 100 CFS, but I couldn't find a lot of information on what to expect. Were we foolish to even attempt it? After emailing BeaV for advice (thanks BeaV!), he said we should be fine, but expect to walk the canoe for a while around the English Rapids.
So felt like I should just add a quick note to the forum with our experience. At 83.6 CFS, the river was mostly an easy paddle, but we did experience a 2 mile stretch through the English Rapids where we were in and out of the canoe, mostly walking it down the stream. Anything less, and we probably couldn't have even floated the canoe while walking. That said, I don't regret going at this level. It took us about 6 hours to go from South Fowl to Fort Charlotte.
I hope this information helps someone in the future, feel free to contact me with questions and I'll be happy to give my two cents.
PS The McKenzie Map 98 does not show the portage around Partridge Falls, which would likely mean death if you skipped it. Watch for the portage on the US side at the end of the long straight-away prior to the falls.
|
