Offline
I'm putting together a fall trip (late October / early November) with my dad and just looking for some input on this route. We would be going mid-week as well so hopefully pretty quiet in that area. A couple things of note:
-we don't like to kill ourselves with tons of paddling or portages
-we enjoy time around camp and doing day trips from a base-camp. We like to do the portages as hikes and explore nearby lakes and rivers.
I thought this route would be very easy and allow us to do the things I mention above.
Nights 1/2 - quick paddle into Daisy Lake - explore the lake and the portages
Nights 3/4 - stay on either Bandit Lake or Cranebill - explore the area to the east
Nights 5/6 - stay on Mocassin - explore the area to the west
If we find a site that we absolutely love we would also consider spending all 4 nights on it as opposed to moving for nights 5 and 6.
I realize this is an easy trip but again, we're not looking at putting lots of miles on.
Any suggestions on campsites or neat areas to explore in this area?
Offline
I can't comment on those specific lakes, but something to consider would be doing the lakes just north of there. Late October early November you'll have nobody around, which is usually the best time to do the big popular lakes. Ralph Bice / Little Trout in the summer isn't really ideal, but in the fall, you'll have the lakes to yourself, first choice of campsites, etc. David Lake is also really great and the campsite is awesome.
Just throwing the idea out there as an alternate suggestion. Lots of info and pictures on my report here:
Offline
trippythings wrote:
I can't comment on those specific lakes, but something to consider would be doing the lakes just north of there. Late October early November you'll have nobody around, which is usually the best time to do the big popular lakes. Ralph Bice / Little Trout in the summer isn't really ideal, but in the fall, you'll have the lakes to yourself, first choice of campsites, etc. David Lake is also really great and the campsite is awesome.
Just throwing the idea out there as an alternate suggestion. Lots of info and pictures on my report here:
Thanks for the suggestion I appreciate it. I should have mentioned that we are actually not too fond of big lake paddling and much prefer smaller lakes and rivers. Having said that perhaps we could pop into one for a day-trip...certainly something to think about though, so thanks!
Thread StarterOffline
I spent a couple nights on Cranebill and I remember the site lacking in flat space. It had a sort of rolling topography where it was difficult to be 100% comfortable, including while sleeping in the tent. Also, I always felt that I was trying to look up the lake to the left because it got tiring always staring at the trees that were about 40 m away on the other side of the lake. OTOH, this is a great place to escape the summertime crowds and you could paddle there in about 3 hours.
Offline
Thanks Solos...I'm in a hammock so the slope wouldn't bother me but my dad stays in a tent so that might be a deal breaker. Maybe we'll reserve Cranebill for a daytrip to check out...
Thread StarterOffline
Even if you've done this before, I would highly suggest the Wendigo to Clamshell route for an easy peasy 5-6 day trip. This is one of my favorite easy routes in the Park.
You can get into Clamshell in about 6 hours or so, but i would break it up and stay on the island beach campsite on North Depot for at least a night. From Clamshell you can day trip into Radiant for some pretty good fishing, if you enjoy eating fish. Do a shore lunch of fresh Walters on the point campsite - south side mouth of Pet, you'll know it when you see it. You can fish right off that campsite in the spring and fall. Or locate 12 - 20fow with a white jig/white Berkley minnow 3" and pop it off bottom slowly. The water is tea stained, like most lakes in the Park. Thus you can drift and jig right on top of them if you are quiet. Also, if you can, spool up with no heavier than 8lb braid with a 30" flouro leader. The braid will allow you to feel a blade of grass bumping your line. And if the fish are moody and taking your bait lightly, you'll feel it and increase your odds of hooking up.
Whatever you decide, good luck, Steve. (your photography is amazing, btw)
Last edited by Swift Fifteen (4/15/2019 6:22 pm)
1 of 1