New Trip Report posted by Kevlar

Trip Name: Poplar to Winchell.

Entry Point: 47

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Thanks for the report. What a difference it made with the crowds for you on the weekend vs. during the week. I'm heading to that area tomorrow for a Monday morning put in. Everything's packed and I can't sit still.

The crowds remind me why I like September trips during the week!

Thanks for the report. We are going in this entry point on Labor Day...kind of hoping most people will be heading out and we will find a campsite. We would like to stay on Horseshoe or Vista, but have plan B to go to Gaskin or Winchell. I guess if we keep our options open like you did, we should be ok (fingers are crossed) ;-)

Kev that's a great report. We were through that area in '05 and on Winchell found bear sign on the second to last campsite closest to the portage up to Gaskin. Big bear and little bear. Lots of berry seeds.

Winchell is a good fishing lake. Chris caught a 36+ pike on a red eye flasher (no longer made).

It's a nice loop.

Edit: for got to mention - Chris also caught walleye in Caribou.

We were just in the same area from Mon. 24th to Thursday 27th and I think we had better luck with the crowds. Early on Mon. morning(we paddled away from Rockwood Lodge at 6:45 and were to our site on Gaskin at 9:45) on the way in Caribou had 1 open site, Horseshoe had 2 open sites, and Gaskin was only 1/2 full. During our day trip on Wed. more than 1/2 of Winchell was open and nobody was camped on Omega, Henson, Pillsbury, or Allen. On our way out on Thursday morning I was very surprised to see only 1 site occupied on Horseshoe. It's a beautiful area and we really liked all the small and skinny lakes. Throughout the 4 days we only met 2 groups at a portage which was very nice. Definitely an area I'd like to return to again.

Much appreciated. Heading in this same way next week... hopefully the after Labor Day crowds will be smaller than you experienced.

We're heading up to this area--Poplar, Horshoe, and so on--at the end of Sept. On the maps, it looks like this area suffered a range of mild, moderate, and severe damage in the blowdown. Can anyone on this board say how bad it is in this part? We're looking forward to paddling this area but probably want to choose another area if the blowdown was bad here. Thanks for your insights!

Shelly hi. When we went through there we did not see recognizable blow down evidence. Nothing that stood out glaringly obvious anyway. It's a nice loop but I am partial.

Shelly, We didn't see any blow down damage either through the area besides a random tree here and there which you see everywhere. It's a very beautiful area. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Did a 7 day solo trip in this area a few years ago in May. Poured the whole time. Was forced to base camp on Caribou with only a break in the weather for a short daytrip into Horshoe lake area. Am planning a trip next September and hope to go farther. Hope the weather co-operates this time. Liked the smaller lakes for solo travel.