Does anyone know anything about the lakes north of Octopus and west of Frost in PMA 10 (lakes Fetter, Iris, an ragged. I did find a Trip report several years ago where They went through Iris and Fetters from Copper and To Sora (entering from the North). Trip report says nothing about Ragged. How and where can I find out if there is any campsites on Fetters, Iris, or Ragged ???? Is the Portages real real tough going North out of Octopus to Fetters, Iris, and ragged ??

No first hand knowledge...this is actually the next PMA on my hit list.

That said...in terms of "campsites", the whole idea of PMAs is that people NOT use the same campsites. You can camp anywhere but they ask that you set up camp 100' from the waterline.

Those lakes that used to have campsites are "supposed" to have the fire grates and latrines removed. You will still find a few of those items left behind on some lakes. They ask that you let nature reclaim those sites and look elsewhere to camp but they still get used (Raven Lake in Mugwump is a good example). Some of those old sites will still show up on older maps. The MAPS section here has an older map (I don't remember what it is called but it is the one NOT linked to Google Maps) that may show something.

Hopefully others who have actually been there can provide more insight.

Thanks RJ- I chked out "Maps" - All I see is someone posted a picture of some junk on Fetters lake. someone else thought without thinking that was Benny Ambros's old site - but wrong lake and even location.

Should I post a question on the "regular board" - would I get more response ?

??? 100 feet from shore line - would be alost not possible - how could you ever find a clearing 100 feet from the water. I actually from the old Trip report when they came trough from Copper and Sora - they said there was some fire rings on Iris lake - can U use the old fire rings and old sites as long as "U leave no trace"

quote Rob Johnson: "No first hand knowledge...this is actually the next PMA on my hit list.


That said...in terms of "campsites", the whole idea of PMAs is that people NOT use the same campsites. You can camp anywhere but they ask that you set up camp 100' from the waterline.


Those lakes that used to have campsites are "supposed" to have the fire grates and latrines removed. You will still find a few of those items left behind on some lakes. They ask that you let nature reclaim those sites and look elsewhere to camp but they still get used (Raven Lake in Mugwump is a good example). Some of those old sites will still show up on older maps. The MAPS section here has an older map (I don't remember what it is called but it is the one NOT linked to Google Maps) that may show something.


Hopefully others who have actually been there can provide more insight."

I hear you Bigs on the clearing thing. I hate to side track the thread to a different lake but it is funny because Raven is good example of this.

Like Rob mentioned in a PMA the goal is to camp on hard surfaces/clearings to limit damage to vegetation and also to have that location vary between visits.

On Raven for example we saw 2 predominate/natural choices for the campsite that were on smooth rock formations. We did not bushwhack 100' feet into the woods to set-up. Like Big indicated, 'what clearing?'
This is a sincere question, were we in the wrong?
We left no vegetation damaged. Traveled well away to gather wood (what little we used) and dispersed the remnants of the left over collected wood. One thing I will say, though, is that we did contribute to the char mark on the rock from the brief fire.

quote Rob Johnson: "I hear you Bigs on the clearing thing. I hate to side track the thread to a different lake but it is funny because Raven is good example of this.

Like Rob mentioned in a PMA the goal is to camp on hard surfaces/clearings to limit damage to vegetation and also to have that location vary between visits.

On Raven for example we saw 2 predominate/natural choices for the campsite that were on smooth rock formations. We did not bushwhack 100' feet into the woods to set-up. Like Big indicated, 'what clearing?'
This is a sincere question, were we in the wrong?
We left no vegetation damaged. Traveled well away to gather wood (what little we used) and dispersed the remnants of the left over collected wood. One thing I will say, though, is that we did contribute to the char mark on the rock from the brief fire."

You did nothing wrong in my book. Many camping sites have been used for decades, or even centuries because they have desirable characteristics that attracted people to them. I don't really see that changing, nor do I see a reason for it to change if LNT principles are practiced effectively.

IS that Raven Lake North of Roe and east of Fraser lake. That is William N Rom's favorite lake - He wrote a whole chapter on it his book "Canoe Country Wilderness". In chapter 5, He tells how the lake got ruined by some other campers and never got back to what he called "a true wilderness lake" where He and his Dad orignally camped in 1958. I have read the book several times and often reference it.

Sometimes you can even imagine 'early' ones, native and otherwise, choosing the very spot you are for obvious reasons.
But there is no trace left of them nor I.

What the!? Did I just write a haiku? Unintentional!

That's the very same Raven. That lake is special for sure.

As far as Ragged you should ask "Eglath" specifically. He posted on google earth a pic from Ragged and it happens to be one of his favorite lakes in his profile.

I hear you on the 100' thing...asking us to do it and actually being able to do it are 2 different things. I could probably "make" a clearing but pretty sure that is worse than utilizing an area that has been used before.

Yes, making a clearing would be worse. I'm thinking that utilizing a hammock instead of a tent would be the best way to stay in a PMA. (And I am not pro hammock ... yet)

I'll let you know how the hammock thing works.

I've been using a hammock (Hennessy) for 5 years now and can't see going back to a tent unless staying in a field.

This year my brother and I are heading into the Hairy Lake PMA on May 26th. This will be our first trip into a PMA and plan on taking lots of pictures. I have 3 kids that are still to young and inexperienced to take into a PMA, but our two nephews are not and our hope is that in the next year or two we can get them to join us into a more challenging PMA.

As far a LNT is concerned, I am an Eagle Scout and have been drilled with the LNT for more then 25 years now. I have also been "teaching" LNT to both Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts for the last 2-3 years. So it is something that I really do take seriously. Not matter where you stay, established site or not, LEAVE NO TRACE of your stay.

I never have been to a PMA, though I have been to Quetico. How difficult is it to portage into PMA ? Do you need a Machete or hatchet to get through ? Is it difficult to locate portage and what is best way to find portage ? If U can not find it, do you need to just head in the general direction ?

quote BigAl2: "I never have been to a PMA, though I have been to Quetico. How difficult is it to portage into PMA ? Do you need a Machete or hatchet to get through ? Is it difficult to locate portage and what is best way to find portage ? If U can not find it, do you need to just head in the general direction ? "

Officially no to both machete & hatchet = that whole leave no trace thing. While some PMAs have old portages many do not. Even where there is an overgrown portage they can be hard to follow. The ability to do orienteering and read topo maps becomes important. GPS can help.

I've done some of that while backpacking but this will be my first time with a canoe. There is a good thread here...something like "What to expect bushwhacking" for better details.

quote BigAl2: "Thanks RJ- I chked out "Maps" - All I see is someone posted a picture of some junk on Fetters lake. someone else thought without thinking that was Benny Ambros's old site - but wrong lake and even location.


Should I post a question on the "regular board" - would I get more response ?"

i probably have done a lot of thinking without thinking but the junk is considered artifacts and who said mr ambrose had only one site. according to bill hansen of sawbill outfitters who claims to have known the man this was a winter cabin. i did not look for a camp on fetters saw an obviously used one se corner of lake and stayed off the ne corner myself. on ragged i camped on the same peninsula eglath appears to have. not quite the appropriate setback but the only flat treeless spot i could find