Canada>Central->EGL Spring 2023 Backcountry Canoeing

[BigGreenMoose]

Looks like we have enough sites covered for 54+ campers!

If anyone is interested in joining but can't get a dedicated site, just post here and you could get added to one of the existing reservations. There's plenty of room!

Seems like we will have every site on Sawyer, as well as few bookings on both Rain and Jubilee from Thursday thru Monday/Tuesday.

Most reading this are familiar with Algonquin backcountry bookings, but for any newbies, a summary is below.

There are nine people max per site.

One parked car is included with each reservation. Additional people can get added on to a permit at $11 per night per person plus $12.50 per night per added car. Not sure if they are charging a change fee just to add people, but the reservation holders can coordinate with you.

Eventually Parks management staff will figure out sensible backcountry parking charges so we don't end up overbooking sites. Until then, the added car charges are usually the limiting factor so carpooling is best if possible, but then you're limited on roof rack space for two canoes. Like water filters, axes, saws, and cook pots, the EGL gang likes to roll up on sites with one boat per person. One day, Chard will convince us otherwise.

Looks like we'll have a good turn out for this one. If you're interested in joining, this route is not a difficult one, and only the guy from Grand Isle is an internet serial killer!

P.s. The 2400m portage to Ink Lake this time last year still gives me night terrors. Luckily we only lost one member of the expedition on that trip. Welcome back Cruiser!

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[LuvmyBonnet]

Since I'm heading in on Wednesday, I'll hopefully grab the island on Rain that we stayed at last time.

[Bubba]

Hello all. There’s a special weather statement for Kearney for heavy rains through Monday. It may help with snow but at the same time it may keep the road inaccessible. I decided to take the hit and book a site on Pen as well. Didn’t see any warnings regarding Rock Lake access point. There are a lot of sites on Pen so I don’t think it would be a problem changing our collective reservations if worse comes to worst but I thought it wouldn’t hurt to add to Rob’s. Any thoughts going forward?

[Cruiser51]

Last time I was early into the Rain lake access, there was a beaver dam, on the right a ways in, that overflows the road. Splashing was exciting, but the road was fine

Brian

[KeeWayKeno]

I've been swapping intel with another guy also going in this week & checking with the two outfitters in Kearney.

The latest as of yesterday was that road to Rain was the only one in the area still inaccessible ... however ... a woman reported she was able to drive all the way to the access point. See her message below. Not particularly encouraging but not a "no way, no how" either.

On the brighter side, somebody else did say they ran into graders already working in the area (though not on our access road).

I'm not averse to swapping to Penn, since the portage is only 375 m. & as I recall easy-peasy. Even the portage haters can handle that one. I am however averse to paying twice so think I'll wait for either a group decision to change or updated news about that road after the heavy rains today. I suspect it'll be a blow-out.
The sinkhole referred to, taken the 25th.

[Cruiser51]

Thanks for the intel and update Jamie ... I am still optimistic (or stubborn) about Rain lake

Brian

[Bubba]

My plan was to see what happens. I’m optimistic/stubborn about Rain as well. I just wanted to have some kind of back up. Maybe the sink hole will motivate the graders to get to that road.

[Chard]

That optimistic/stubborn streak is what I like about you guys.

Hope for Rain, fall back to Pen if necessary sounds like the way to go.

[76 highboy]

We'll be fine.

lol

[KeeWayKeno]

Just FYI ... Penn is already fully booked for Sunday.