Peek wrote:

ryan72 wrote:

When I cancelled I lost out on about $22 for 2 camping reservations and about $11 for each of our 2 permits.  Is this because they are not refunding the reservation fees?  Or do I have to call to get those refunded?

Sorry to hear about the cancellation man, that sucks.

Don't worry about your booking fee, it will be manually refunded (possibly as a separate transaction) but it will absolutely be refunded - the online system shows that it's not part of the refund, but Camis staff have been manually reviewing all cancellations in the background and refunding the booking fees. You're good.
 

Thanks, you were correct.  Looks like the additional refunds were applied this morning. Hopefully we can make Algonquin happen next year.
 

RCSpartan wrote:

13 hrs? That's commitment. Thinking about it, you're probably heading to the furthest part of the park from where you are coming from? Great part of the Park though. 

Pro tip: be conscious of when you plan to paddle Cedar as from experience it can get hairy at times, typically later in the afternoon. Something to think about if you have a loaded boat or are with kids. Every time I've set off early morning it's been smooth sailing.

Yes, from Metro Detroit to Ely, MN it looks to be  over 13 hours.  Plus, having driven through Michigan's upper peninsula many times in the summer, travel times from Google are never accurate.  A road repair here and there really bogs things down.  Looks like a long drive that could be 15+ if things work against us.  

I'll still hold out hope that the border opens and we don't have to quarantine for 14 days.  But, in the meantime I am diving into BWCA info as fast as I can.  

If we do get to go we'll only cross Cedar when its early and calm.  I'll have 3 of my sons with me so not taking any unnecessary risks.

I really hope that isn't the case and we're able to visit.  I guess we'll know in a few weeks

I'm really hoping the border opens in the next several weeks (June 22nd?) so that my mid July trip can still happen.  We are super excited to head up to Brent and start out for 8 days.

For those who have been up there:

I know its really remote and we are coming from Michigan.

What can we expect to find at the Brent Store?  Is it cash only or do they accept credit cards?

We would like to grab some bait (crawlers and leeches) and am camping there the night before we set out.  Do they have bait?  Do they carry beer for a celebratory drink when we finish?  

We plan on bringing food for our night camping there but won't leave any behind in the cars while gone.  I'd like to get my sons a snack and drink for the road and my friends an adult beverage (not for the road!) to celebrate our awesome trip.

What about firewood for our night at camp?  Does the campground or store sell it?

thanks in advance for you knowledge and help!

This is great news.  Now if the border would open, we can proceed with our trip.

We have a family group of 9 and already reserved 2 permits.  One with 6 people and one with 3.  Our trip isn't until mid July so I am hoping the ease back the 5 person limit per site but if not, will I need to somehow rearrange our permits so that we are officially permitted as 5 and 4?

When I put that address into chrome it just pulled up some general search links about avenza.  It didn't launch the app.  I tried with the app closed and open while doing it.

Maybe its an Android vs. I phone issue

Thanks everyone.  I knew everyone would have their own ideas and I like seeing others's thoughts on this subject.  

Swift Fifteen wrote:

If you have the money to spare, Salomon Men's Quest 4D 3 GTX. These are arguably the very last pair of hiking boots you will ever own. Unbelievably comfortable and tons of ankle support. In the summer months, these boots never come off until the end of the day. They're constantly in and out of water, mud, gravel, rocks, and loon shit. But at the end of the day, my feet love me. So unless you hate your feet, spend the money for quality footwear. Spend once, cry once.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5056-424/Quest-4D-3-Gore-Tex-Hiking-Boots

I couldn't agree more.  I started wearing these several years back and have gone all in on Salomon footwear. I got my oldest 2 sons a pair of the Quests last year and they love them.  In fact, I have never had anyone tell me that Salomon's aren't a great boot or shoe.    I was skeptical that the sole wouldn't be as great as a vibram model or that the synthetic uppers wouldn't hold up like leather but it was unfounded.  They are built to last and are very grippy.

I have used their Mocs for several years now as my water/shore fishing shoe. They are great too.
https://www.salomon.com/en-us/shop/product/rx-moc-4-0.html#color=20162

Permits are done and Equipment is reserved. Now I have over 4 months to obsess over gear, food and packing.

My first concern:  our feet

What do you all do for footwear?  We will be single carrying  - 9 of us with 3 three-man canoes.  
We have 5 portages over 1km with the longest being 2960m.  But the most difficult looks like it could Unicorn Hill at 2345m

Some type of water shoe for loading and landing canoes (and while paddling)?  I could also see these also being good camp shoes and help with shore fishing.

Do you also bring boots to use while portaging?  I have always worn over the ankle boots while backpacking.    I like having ankle protection while carrying significant weight.   Or do you go with a hiking/trail shoe that can do it all?  Packing my boots, keeping them dry, and lugging them around for a week to use 5 or 6 times doesn't seem like too much fun.

I guess my options are:

water shoe of sorts + boots
water shoe + trail/hiking shoe
just a trail/hiking shoe

thanks for the input.  I am learning a lot from all of you!

So, I am new here.   Do the horses help with portaging canoes?  They could be a real game changer.