I'm going to the Q and hope to camp on Jeff the 1st night then Louisa, Glacier, McEwen, Falls Chain, This Man, Emerald, and Carp. Hopefully layovers on McEwen and Emerald. 10 nights the first week of Sept. Things could change based on the weather.

How about you guys?

For starters, and although it's not a true solo trip, it could be a "group solo" though. In about a month, I'm planning on a family canoe trip to Quetico with my wife and our 16-year old son. This will definatley not be a high mileage, hard paddling trip. Additionally, my wife has expressed her desire to dine on walleye for many dinners. So it looks like we'll be devoting some time to making that happen.

Although my wife and I have done some serious canoe-tripping together in the past, the years of being a Medical-Surgical Nurse have taken its toll on her back. She's all for paddling and portaging, just not at the pace I like to travel. (We'll probably take the Wenonah Odyssey and the Voyager, although we haven't ruled out three solo canoes.) Regardless, there will be at least one solo canoe involved. :-)

About the third week of August, I'm planning to take a solo trip to Woodland-Caribou Provincial Park, (WCCP). I've told Harlan I'd be coming his way for two years now, but twice I've been derailed by various circumstances. The biggest hang-up was trying to make the dates for Harlan's "Gathering" on Glen Lake or Hansen Lake.

If you're not familiar with "The Gathering", it's a group of solo paddlers from the now defunct solotripping.com site that rendezvous on Glenn Lake or Hansen Lake on a specific date. It seemed I could never make the exact dates of the rendezvous, so I'd just say "screw it" and then go somewhere else. (An Isle Royale kayak touring trip in 2011, and a Quetico solo trip in 2012.)

But then it occurred to me; "We're solo trippers, why are we gathering anywhere?" So instead of being bound by a specific date, I'm just going solo, which is what I'm best at anyway. That's sort of the point anyway, right?

I was originally planning on the WCCP route described in Kevin Callan's "Quetico and Beyond" Guide Book. But now it seems "everybody and their brother" is doing that route. After my return from the "family trip" to Quetico, I'm intending to get serious about planning a WCCP route. A few months ago, dentondoc offered input for WCCP trip planning, so I'll probably pick his brain for some insight before ultimately deciding on a route.

One thing I like about WCCP is that obtaining a permit is not an issue. I can basically just drive to Red Lake and get a permit, no reservation, and no hassle. The only real arrangements I need to make is for getting in and out of WCCP. I'm hoping to do a fly-in, and then get a ground shuttle back to Red Lake at the end of my solo trip.

If for some reason I don't go WCCP, I'll do a 12-day or longer trip to Quetico. I'm really interested in doing the "Hunter Island" route. Although I've traveled many of the lakes included in that route, there's still a few I've yet to see. I'm not sure of the EP to start the trip, but it would probably be from the North. I really do not like going out of Moose Lake/Prairie Portage.

To be continued.........

Hans Solo

I plan to enter via Kawishiwi Lake, then up to Adams and Boulder, ..with maybe a side trip over to Alice. Then back through the Kawishiwi River to the far northeast end of Malberg, then retrace route back. This will give me numerous options for day trips as well.
Only have a little more than a week to wait. I'm ready and raring!

I went down the Horse to Robinson in May (stymied by ice on Robinson), was forced to shorten to Robinson Craig, Bart and back through Crooked and up the Horse. In June did a five night clear water tour- Louisa to Kahsh to Marj to Ted to Argo to Mudro. Have a Sarah permit for the 4th of July and am thinking Sarah/Ted/then north to Brent/Suzanette and back through Kahsh and Shaun Walshe- again five nights- though I will change routes depending on conditions and whim. Probably head to Louisa or Emerald for two nights in the beginning of August. Should have another five nights at the end of August/beginning of September and then hopefully a longer trip 10-12 nights in October.

I have a two week solo in July. I enter LIS and after that it is anyone's guess. There are things I want to see, but I have no specific daily itinerary. Looking forward to it.

I've got a two week solo planned in the fall, but not in the Bdub. For the first time in years, I'm forsaking the BWCA in favor of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in northern Maine. It will be interesting to see how it compares.

quote OBX2Kayak: "I've got a two week solo planned in the fall, but not in the Bdub. For the first time in years, I'm forsaking the BWCA in favor of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in northern Maine. It will be interesting to see how it compares."

I'd love to see a trip report on that with pics of course. It's always good to stretch your wings.

quote OBX2Kayak: "I've got a two week solo planned in the fall, but not in the Bdub. For the first time in years, I'm forsaking the BWCA in favor of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in northern Maine. It will be interesting to see how it compares."

Ya, same here on that trip report. Allagash and Algonquin Park are on my curiosity lists. Have a great time exploring.

I plan to enter EP #37, Kawishiwi Lake, Sept 3rd, and go through Malberg to Boulder and loop east through Makwa and out. I may extend to Little Saganaga. Or may go down to Fishdance and around through Alice, Thomas, Fraser, and Boulder. I can't seem to make up my mind, but I'm sure when I get up there, I'll do something ;).

I'm not sure I'll manage a solo this year if I do it will be in October.
My wife is pushing hard for a week of hiking in Sept. Will see if I can swing that and a solo canoe trip.

I am doing WCPP in early Sept. via Garner Lake. I have two weeks but not sure I will be gone that long. I will make it to Haggart Lake and from there I am not sure but want to make it to Aegean, Wrist, and maybe loop back through Jigsaw and Adventure or maybe back through Irregular. It will depend on how it is going, portages etc. but want to have several options.

Leaving for my first solo this Friday. Entering #47/lizz lake and planning on doing the Winchell lake loop. Getting very excited and a little nervous. Been looking forward to this for months. Can't say the same for the wife.

quote OBX2Kayak: "I've got a two week solo planned in the fall, but not in the Bdub. For the first time in years, I'm forsaking the BWCA in favor of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in northern Maine. It will be interesting to see how it compares."

Completely different! Algonquin more like the Bdub. The Allagash is quite close to me. Good moose viewing though in October not so much. Its the season of the rut. Colors in late Sept.

All AWW sites have a table and outhouse!! Lots of hiking..try to get Gil Gilpatricks book.

I am going to Superior for a month and then staying home. Which means AWW or a variant from Johnson Pond to Chesuncook Lake (in the area but not on the main Waterway) in the fall.

Hans Solo if you get to WCPP ( and I urge you to!) say hi to Harlan. Its been a few years since we had a beer together in Red Lake.

I've never had the desire to do Mud Pond Carry and approach AWW from Chesuncook via Umbazooksus, but a gal friend of mine did it and now I am ashamed.

quote yellowcanoe: "Hans Solo if you get to WCPP (and I urge you to!) say hi to Harlan. Its been a few years since we had a beer together in Red Lake."

Will do yellowcanoe!

One way or another, I want to make the time to go to Woodland-Caribou Provincial Park this year. I see Harlan at Canoecopia every year, and I don't want to tell him "next year" again. It's also a wilderness area I want to explore before it gets too popular.

Unfortunately, with limited time off, I have to pick and chose my times accordingly. I envy those that are retired or semi-retired. If I had that much time off, my house would be covered with maps and I'd be planning numerous, long term canoe-tripping adventures throughout the year. (I'd also plan a few SCUBA trips as well!)

It won't be too long until that's a reality!

Hans Solo

quote MNsota0111: "Leaving for my first solo this Friday. Entering #47/lizz lake and planning on doing the Winchell lake loop. Getting very excited and a little nervous. Been looking forward to this for months. Can't say the same for the wife. "

Have a great trip!

I'm headed to WCPP week from today, but not a solo trip. Going Solo the last week of August, probably back to WCPP, but possibly the Q. Still have time to figure out. What Hans said about ease of getting permits is absolutely correct, you just drive up, and get your permit, or email Claire at the Park Office, giver her your CC, and she will issue you a permit and send it to you via email. Can't get any easier than that.

Greg

quote Minnesotian: "

quote OBX2Kayak: "I've got a two week solo planned in the fall, but not in the Bdub. For the first time in years, I'm forsaking the BWCA in favor of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in northern Maine. It will be interesting to see how it compares."

Ya, same here on that trip report. Allagash and Algonquin Park are on my curiosity lists. Have a great time exploring. "

Will do the trip report. From what I read, it sounds like most lakes permit motor boats.