I seek the assistance of the collective intelligence of the Q lovers.
I am planning a trip next July.

We will have three 14 yr old boys, two Dads, and my 21 yr old daughter.

My daughter will be making her first wilderness camping trip.

I would like to leave out of Atikokan.

I am not familiar with the northern areas of the Q.

I would like to do a loop or out and back in the 40-50 mile range.

I would like to have a couple days with low probability of seeing other canoe parties.

Canoeing and camping are primary, fishing secondary.

If we have to do a few extra portages early on to separate from the crowds, so be it.

Any and all route suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

I am always partial to Beaverhouse entry.

Can enter BH and head through Quetico south through Badwater, where this one mile portage will definitely clear out the crowd. From there, head east and north through several choices (Boulder, Jean, Bentpine, etc) and end up back on Quetico.

Could even head further north and come out very near to Atikokan.

Several comments:

The portages are not as clear as the BWCA. A GPS might be helpful as well as lots of help from folks here that know the details.

Beaverhouse and Quetico (and Cirrus) are big water. Wind can be potentially dangerous for less than expert canoers. Just allow plenty of time in your schedule for layovers if wind comes up.

You did not mention length of trip. How many days?

Are all members of the party pretty strong and good paddlers? Or are there several rookies?

For a secluded "dead end" trip (and back out), still enter at BH through to Badwater. Then I would send you into Omeme with Cub and Bearpelt as day trips.

Let me know if these are of interest. I can provide some map and portage details.

Old Hoosier

If you want to overnight in Atikokan and point to point, consider accessing the park at Lerome Lake, and head west on Cirrus, and eventually come out at Nym. This would require shuttles.

If instead you can find a loop out of Beaverhouse, you can park there.

I think figuring out what is most convenient and comfortable pre and post trip travel - like do you want to motel or bunk house night before or just drive up and enter; do you need to rent canoes (which almost means you need to go to Atikokan) and which direction are you coming from - would allow us to help them most. Frankly, I don't think you'd be unhappy with any trip that started and/or ended at Beaverhouse, or anywhere in Quetico, but we might have a few helpful pointers. For instance, I found the pictographs on Quetico Lake some of the best I have seen, and the sandy beach on Quetico should be fun for at least a lunch.

If you go in at Nym, or Stanton Bay, you will have access to some great areas - can make your way down to Russell Lake (and some falls down beyond that). The Sturgeon Narrows area is fantastic. Lots of loop possibilities there. If you use an outfitter - in our case it was Canoe Canada - they can be very helpful in planning a route and finding some really nice campsites. Also, they can provide a shuttle to the entry point and pick you up when you're done.

I agree the Beaverhouse is quickest way to solitude. Badwater portage certainly clears out crowds. There is also a lot of place to hide in Quetico Lake, and you could work your back to Nym if you do a point to point trip with lots of the solitude options.

I'd second hooking up with an outfitter to drop you off and pick you up at Stanton Bay. Once you get though Pickerel, you'll be able to avoid most other paddlers by heading south through the B-Chain, west to Olifaunt. You can then either head further south and into Russell and Chatterton Falls (although you'll probably see other groups) or keep heading west to Sturgeon and into Antoine. From there it's up north to Deux Rivers and back to Pickerel and Stanton Bay.

The route is scenic, not overly long and none of the portages are killers.

I am probably the only experienced canoeist in the crowd. My 14 yr old boy came with me up the S chain and down Agnes in 2010.

I expect to use an Atikokan outfitter and Canoe Canada was the one that looked best from my research. I had considerd bringing this group to Wabakimi, but that is just too remote, I think,

So it seems there is some consensus on using Beaverhouse to get away. I will start looking at that.

HowardS-Are you going to either of the Illinois wingnights? Maybe I could look over your maps?? OR since you are right next door, can I buy you a beer and check out the maps? Of course, I'll buy a set or two for the trip, but getting a preview would help with planning.

Thanks everyone. And for anyone looking in after this post please pipe up and let me know what you think.

Jim

OH Bentpine caught my eye last night as I was perusing google maps. Hmmm.

Yup - Bentpine is attractive. Lots of solitude. And I have it on good authority the walleyes are pretty thick in there, too!

Have not been there myself, but several local paddlers from my part of TN go there almost every year.

I can say for sure, though - once you make Badwater - you will be alone. The rest is gravy.

Old Hoosier

You will love the Badwater portage!

--Goose

quote jcavenagh: "
HowardS-Are you going to either of the Illinois wingnights? Maybe I could look over your maps?? OR since you are right next door, can I buy you a beer and check out the maps? Of course, I'll buy a set or two for the trip, but getting a preview would help with planning.

Jim"

Not sure if I'll be at a wingnight or not, but I will be at Canoecopia. Otherwise, would be glad to meet sometime after that and share what I saw. Will dig out those maps when I get a chance and see if I've marked anything up and jot down some notes!

Don't try to camp on Pickerel on July weekends. If the weather is nice its only 90 minutes from Thunder Bay and the lake is full of weekenders. Because entry at French Lake requires no portaging the cooler crowd is out.

yc- Got it. thanks. j
Howard - I'll email you in a couple weeks. I can't make it to copia.

quote OldGreyGoose: "You will love the Badwater portage! --Goose "

Nice Goose! I have been warned!