I've been messing with my route for over year now. I have contingency plans in case it doesn't work out, but I think we are going to enter EP 14 and make it to Fat Lake on Day 1. First day we are usually on the water by 6 or 7. Last year we did fourteen miles from 7am-3pm with an hour lunch. We are all three in early 30s and we typically try to single portage.

My questions are as such:
1) Is it doable?
2) Has anyone been on the unmarked portage recently?
3) Is it worth it to push that hard or would you suggest a site on Slim for Day 1?
4) How probable is it that the lone site on Fat is unoccupied on a Friday afternoon?

I'm a little intimidated by 18 miles, with six miles of just portaging and my main concern is that we will do that long portage into Fat and the site will be taken, which is what happened to us two years ago.

It's a haul, especially that last portage...but doable. It's been two years since I've been on that portage. The trail is definitely there and you need to pay attention to the turns as it can kind of disappear in spots. Your guess on the campsite availability is as good as mine. I'm going that same route in September and am planning to make it to Slim on day one. That way I can keep going if it is occupied.

Hopefully it works out for you!

I visited Fat a few weeks ago-I didn’t see anyone. In fact, I base camped on Eugene for several days and saw no one. I passed a group staying on Loon that told me I was only the second person they’d seen in four days. I didn’t take the portage from Slim to Fat, but I wonder why the push to get to Fat? I think both sites on Slim are decent for a night, but I actually prefer the south site. The north site is too steep. Although a great view of the lake and great place to swim and cool off.

I did EP 14 > Fat on day one in May 2020. We also single-portaged. Was not an unreasonable day...the Slim>Fat portage was long but not too bad. There's one steep section towards the west end, and a fair amount of twisting & turning. It's harder when the foliage is in - don't be afraid to pause and back up in case you missed a turn in the lightly-used trail.

We're in our 50's...you should be fine.

I walked the portage a few weeks ago.
Two poplar downfalls at the slim side. Another
Downfall midway to fat. Other than that it was
easy to going.

It's a push for sure....we(2 adults, 2 11yo's and a Seneca) exited Fat lake in a day. The risk I guess is at the end of a long day seeing that lone site on Fat occupied. The little loon to slim portage is all up hill and a short paddle then your on the Fat lake portage which starts off with a decent climb too. It's all worth it especially if you get the site on Fat. If you don't, the portage to Eugene is easy and you can day trip back to Fat for a shot at the old Lakers. I guess it's important if you decide to go for it that you and your trip mates are mentally prepared to see that site occupied. If it's not let the good times roll!

M

Doable for sure, we did that same route in late May and stopped at Fat the first night and we had started at 10 AM.

I figure we will portage the packs and the single canoe over first. Leave the double behind until we find out if the site is taken. I really really hope it's open or at least has a group willing to share! It's the only site from our trip in 2021 that we "planned" to say on and didn't get. I always have a backup plan but still stressful thinking of having to push to eugene AGAIN. That is what we had to do last time too. The narrows site there was nice but I realllllly want the site on fat.

I figure we will portage the packs and the single canoe over first. Leave the double behind until we find out if the site is taken. I really really hope it's open or at least has a group willing to share! It's the only site from our trip in 2021 that we "planned" to say on and didn't get. I always have a backup plan but still stressful thinking of having to push to eugene AGAIN. That is what we had to do last time too. The narrows site there was nice but I realllllly want the site on fat.

The only stress of canoe camping--for me-- is the whole "will there be a campsite" thing. Plan your trips so that you are finding sites mid-morning; that way you can relax knowing you are going to have a home. So spend the night on Slim and check in the morning. Don't ask to share a site, by the way, that's not part of BWCA culture.

When are you going? We also have been planning for our EP 14 trip for a year and plan on trying to get that site on Fat also.

We are in the ep for over a week starting on the 11th. I intentionally kept us around that area for an extra day in case we can't get it night one, but it would mess with my loop to try more than 2 nights so if I can't get it that first or second night we are going to continue with our loop. I will be disappointed but we have a lot of other adventures planned and I don't want to miss out on those either.

Good workout but very doable, always the risk of heartbreaking campers sitting on the only campsite.
Fat Lake campsite is nice. Lakers are plentiful. The bushwack is easier from Fat to Slim, the start from Slim will get your heart started. In a couple trips have never seen anyone on Fat, although not travelled there in the last couple years.

That is pretty much our plan but we are on the water the 10th. We plan only 1 night there as we have a great route planned. We'll keep the light on for ya. How many are you? We are only 2
Michael

Three of us, two guys and a girl. We all grew up together, and it's our second trip in this grouping so I'm hoping we can get back into the flow quickly.

Dee. we to old friends in their 60s accompanied by a dog. If we both arrived same day would not be adverse to sharing the site. we are planning on only 1 night
-Michael

Thanks, we will keep that in mind! I'll keep a look out for your pooch, I love dogs. Happy paddling and maybe we will see you out there!