Looking for some experience/advice with travel in windy periods on the lakes in the Arrowhead region.

Friend and I looking at going in on John (if the ice is out) on Thursday this week and traveling west through East/West Pine, as far west as we feel like going. Maybe Bearskin/Duncan/Rose or maybe just to Clearwater. Then looping back either through the lakes to the north (Mountain, Moose etc) or those to the south (Pine etc).

I've never traveled in that area - always off the Echo Trail or west of the Gunflint. When I look at those lakes, I see what look like west-east wind tunnels to me, with little ability to use islands for protection.

Here's the Friday forecast:
Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Saturday
Breezy, with a north wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Sunday
Breezy, with an east wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

(Plus rain most days. As you'd expect with those east winds.)

I've done a number of April trips with a different canoe partner and handled ice cold water, snow etc. And I thought it would be cool to go up to what's supposed to be a gorgeous (and popular) area with nobody around.
But geez that wind. Every canoeing instinct I have says "choose another route."

Anybody who knows those lakes want to give some advice?

If it was July or august I’d say go for it but since it’s just ice out I’d play it safe. Those are beautiful lakes and scenery, rugged and rocky shorelines.

Maybe I have just reached my age-related safety zone where taking chances isn’t as fun as it used to be.

Double check with Clearwater outfitters that the ice is off their lake. Also ask if it’s possible to get a shuttle back to arrowhead if you choose to end your trip at Clearwater. ($$)

The chance of rain and that much wind will make it pretty chilly and increasing chance of hypothermia just from being wet, and sweaty from exertion.

You guys talk it through, and then make a trip report with photos if you decide to take the trip.

Your characterization of these lakes as possible e/w wind tunnels is spot on if the conditions are right. I have been stuck way down on the east end of Clearwater when a 25mph wind started howling down from the west end and it can get awfully sporty in those conditions. With current water temps it’s not something I would voluntarily put myself through.

Helpful tip Mocha about Clearwater outfitters.

Gildedgopher that's just what I needed to know about the wind.

Sounds like walking the line between adventure and danger, this could easily tip towards danger.

I've been in the somewhat opposite position as thegildedgopher, being on the east end of Clearwater, with wind whipping out of the east, with on/off drizzle. A pretty gnarly storm was supposedly incoming so we decided to exit a day early. While I was happy to have a tailwind, at about 15mph with 30mph gusts, we had 3-4ft rollers coming up behind us the entire time. It was thrilling but also a little scary. One bad lean and you're dumping - and it would be very difficult to get to shore. Thankfully we made it back to the beach without incident, but it was still a day to remember. Even launching from our West Pike campsite was a dicey affair as the waves were crashing almost perpendicular to the only good landing, so we had to time it with me shoving us off and immediately paddling as hard as we could out into the lake to avoid being broadsided at low speed.

This weekend looks to be less than ideal for canoeing. The winds funnel down those beautiful lakes. The water is dangerously cold and a swamping would be disastrous. In these conditions I would paddle feet from shore, you’ll get a bit of protection from the wind from the forest. It’s nice to have a canoe with a bit of rocker, responsive rather than speed is important in these conditions

Paddle early, wind is usually lighter in the morning. When strong winds are predicted, I'll hit the water at morning twilight.

Ditch kit, even if your not far from shore.

Oof, that's a scary paddle down Clearwater. We did something similar once first week of May on Tuscarora. Leaving the great campsite on the west shore and just staying straight with the waves going east. Used the two islands in the middle as break points. And decided we would not do that again. So....

cmanimal: "Paddle early, wind is usually lighter in the morning. When strong winds are predicted, I'll hit the water at morning twilight.


Ditch kit, even if your not far from shore."

Thanks, sage advice. Ditch kit is always in the pockets of my PFD, which is always on.

Thinking about changing it up completely. Maybe Cross Bay and loop the Frost River. Smaller lakes, lots of islands, river travel.

Remember this-- NWS wind forecasts are 95% of time under done. Especially in non-urban areas. You can add 10-25% of wind forecasts for open fetch on lakes.

WhiteWolf: "Remember this-- NWS wind forecasts are 95% of time under done. Especially in non-urban areas. You can add 10-25% of wind forecasts for open fetch on lakes.
"

Now that is something i did not know! it did usually seem windier than the weather man said.

If it were me, I would switch to entering at West Bearskin and go hang out on Duncan or Rose and then spend time hiking the Border Route Trail. Water is too cold to get out on one of the big east-west lakes with that level of wind.

straighthairedcurly: "If it were me, I would switch to entering at West Bearskin and go hang out on Duncan or Rose and then spend time hiking the Border Route Trail. Water is too cold to get out on one of the big east-west lakes with that level of wind."

Sage advice

TuscaroraBorealis: "

straighthairedcurly: "If it were me, I would switch to entering at West Bearskin and go hang out on Duncan or Rose and then spend time hiking the Border Route Trail. Water is too cold to get out on one of the big east-west lakes with that level of wind."

Sage advice"

Mother Nature is still trying to kill you at this point: