Yep its time...

Nothing like daily thoughts about a trip 6 months away. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas, only worse. I will read almost every topic on the message boards twice between now and then.

I feel your anticipation. My canoeing partner is coming over after the first of the year so we can nail down the first trip of the season.

Helle

I feel your anticipation..I ordered 6 BW maps and have been getting them out and scanning them regularly...imagining and planning. My wife told me I have looked at "those maps" so many times I should have them memorized...what is it about this area that seems to touch us so? What fun....

My Father and I are both canoeists, and runners We're appling for A Lake One The Sunday after. I'm sick of waiting for notification.

Our church mens group will probably have enough interest this year for 2 groups. We would like to make them for the same date, but not sure if we want the same entry or not, concerned with making sure we stay separate, etc. Question is: can I log in and enter the lottery, listing myself as leader, then make a second entry, changing the leader name to one of my buddies... or is leader name locked in as the one who logged in, meaning that my buddy would have to get a login and apply himself? I'd check the site myself, but the part for new applications is not working right now... Want to get entered soon.

good Q. im not sure if the billing info needs to match the leaders name or not. id ask at 1(877)550-6777 (res.center) Jan

You can change leaders name at the Ranger Station when you pick up your permit... Or you can list an alternate leader for the other group when you make your application for Entry Permits.

Bruce

Okay, so I found out a few things. First of all, during the off-season, the customer service phone number is 877-553-6777. Secondly, you can't edit the leader name while making the on-line application for lottery or reservation, it is locked in according to the preferences for that particular log-in name. Thirdly, one is not allowed to log in and make an application and then make a second application with an identical date while still using that log-in name. (I was hoping to speed up matters by doing it this way and then changing the leader name to my first alternate on that second permit after we got up there.) The very helpful customer service rep said that "the only way that the name of a designated leader could be changed to one of the alternates would be if the original leader was absent, unable to enter that day."

So, I'll be helping one of our other guys get a log-in name and we'll make separate lottery applications.

Okay, so we're all set with our lottery applications. Looks like I should have read the whole first page on that site and I would have noticed the paragraphs about non-profit groups. Looks like I could have simply used our church's name in lieu of an individual's name as group leader. Three permits per year per non-profit are allowed listing it this way. Just need to know our tax exempt number and vouch that everyone on the trip is affiliated with the non-profit. Then the individual that picks up the permit becomes the leader.

BTW, how soon after the 15th do you find out if you 'won' the lottery. (Obviously before the 20th, but could it maybe be as early as the 16th??)

It normally takes a couple of weeks to hear about the lottery, so be patient.

So how can folks start picking up open spots starting on the 20th??

Go to the web site, log in, look at the available entry points for your selected entry dates, and if available, answer the questions and the fee will be charged to your credit card. It's easier if your dates are flexible if you have a particular entry point in mind.

Uh, no... I'm familiar with the process. What I was actually asking was: If the listing of available spots is ready for viewing and up for grabs on the 20th, then will lottery applicants be informed before that date whether they were successful or not?

Last year I received email confirmation on the evening of 1/17/06. I don't know if it's always that efficient. This year I'll be sure to print that email and bring it with me when I pick up my permit. Last year I had forgotten that the confirmation had come by email, and I was frantically searching through piles of old mail looking for my confirmation letter, which I of course never found.

Well, glory be -- I just went out to the reservation web site and it says:
"If you submitted an application for the lottery online Click Here to view your results."

I got my first choice: 33 - Little Gabbro Lake, Sunday July 29th.

Let the dreaming and planning begin!

Yup. Both of my applications were successful. Now comes the fun part.

Glad to here that Snakecharmer. Now when's the pow wow? Did you here from Mike yet?