Quetico experts, your feedback is appreciated...

Have been up in the Q many times over the years but this year we are looking at Kawnipi for the first time (early June). Traditionally we have always taken a tow to Washington island via Prairie Portage and headed Northward to Burt, Sarah, McIntyre, Suz, Brent, etc. If we are trying to get to Northern Kawnipi, is it faster/easier to go via PP and up thru Agnes, or enter via Cache and go up the Falls chain? We'd take a tow boat as far as we can in either case.

Any feedback on portage difficulty, scenery, probable winds, or if it can be done in one day would be fantastic. Thanks.

I've done both ways.

The Cache Bay way has many more waterfalls and more portaging. Very scenic area and none of the portages along the Falls Chain are too bad. I'd say this way is more scenic. Silver Falls is also very cool! Possible wind issues on Cache Bay and Kawnipi.

The Agnes / PP way is much less portaging, but leaves a long beautiful crossing of Agnes. Again, possible wind issues here. The Meadows Portages can have a bad reputation of being a challenge. Probably because they are back to back, but I don't think it is any more difficult than anything you'd find on the Falls Chain route.

Both routes will get you to Northern Kawnipi in about 2 to 2.5 days. One day is impossible in either case.

Probably easier to fish the Falls Chain than the Agnes route. Just more obvious fishing holes due to all the current and waterfalls.

There's no easy, quick way. Falls chain is faster. Figure 1 1/2 days if your party travels well.

With son - then 12, I think - looped from PP - was on Kawnipi on night 3 as I recall, coming back just one night, 2 long days - from Kawnipi to site near Louisa Falls and then out through PP next day. Did have great weather. The meadows portages are longish but for me easy - wide and worn. Can't imagine either way will be other than wonderful.

If you go through falls chain, get the tow as early as possible to avoid potential winds through Cache Bay. Early year, high water, need to be cautious around silver falls and a few of the falls on the chain, current can be a little fast/tricky.

We left a truck on Moose and then went in through the falls and came out through PP. A bit of extra driving time but was fun. Few extra hours driving but exploring the back roads was also fun.

I agree with what everyone says about wind both ways you could get into bad wind depending on the day. As far as making it in one day I Know for a fact it can be done in one day. I have done it on the Falls chain route in early June. The wind was not in our favor and Sag was 2-3 footers but we still made it.

Now it was a long long day. We 1.5 portaged every portage. It was just me and a friend in good shape with a mission to do it in one day. No fishing and very little sight seeing. We were also 3rd in line at the ranger station because our tow was 2 hours late!!!

With perfect wind conditions and first tow out in the morning. I know you could make it to Rose Island in a day. Would I do it again... Probably not it was a lot of work... but it was nice being on Kawnipi ready to fish for a week on the second morning!

A couple of years ago the boys and I made Kawnipi the 2nd night from Prairie Portage. We got a tow to PP and went up through Agnes. We took the "North Portage" out of Bayley Bay because of the wind and waves. Made it about 1/2 way through Agnes and camped on a point facing north. Trolled Agnes the 2nd day and caught a bunch of lakers.

We did get behind a father and son team on the Agnes River that slowed us up considerably. We were patient or tied to be, but they just did not have their act together (pumping water etc.) on the portage. I think they cost a couple of hours through those portages.

2nd night on Kawnipi with walleyes in tow. We double portaged. We had kind of a down day the 3rd day big breakfast and fishing around our base camp.

It's not one of your options but the most direct is via Stanton bay from the north. You have to have an outfitter drop/pick up as a non-Canadian citizen but you could be on Kawnipi by day 2.

It's cheaper to get in from the north but there is obviously the expense of getting there and the outfitter. Just a thought.

Tough call. More portages but shorter portages and scenery on the Falls Chain. More likely to hit a direct headwind from the Falls route on your way out but a greater chance of being blown back with a tailwind when headed home.

It might depend on your desires. Falls and short portages vs fewer but longer portages and longer stretch on Agnes without a portage. If you have been through the Agnes route before the Falls would be a nice change. If not and you don't mind the length of Agnes that might be a good option.

Just don't do what we did about 6 years ago: Wake up in the Twin Cities in the middle of the night, drive to Moose Lake, hook a tow to Prairie and paddle and portage our way to Rose Island on Kawnipi------------all in one day. And still went fishing before bed. Good thing I was with the young guys.

If you choose the Falls Chain the attached map is very helpful.

That's excellent unshavenman. Thanks for sharing with all of us. Janice has one as well that she hands out with her orientation. Also quite good but I like collecting these because each has it's own nuances and tidbits of very good advice.

You are quite welcome. I'm sure I pulled it off of this site somewhere in the past. Good to keep it circulating.

quote unshavenman: "You are quite welcome. I'm sure I pulled it off of this site somewhere in the past. Good to keep it circulating."

Actually, I think you'll find that Janice is responsible for this map too ... the newer version looks a bit more professionally done.

My very first trip to Quetico, my paddling partner and I (both mid-50's at the time) started with a tow to PP and had an early lunch on our Kawnipi campsite on day 2. If you are to make it that fast going up the Falls Chain, you'll have to be reasonably efficient getting across the portages.

dd

I have gone in through the falls chain and both in and out through Agnes. Even with a tow on Sag, 1 day would be tough. We usually did it in 2 days although the far south end of Kawnipi can be done. Personally I don't like to rush. Too many great things to see and experience when up there. I like to take pictures. Went in through S chain and up Agnes and went out through Louisa. Also good picto's on Agnes between the twin islands in middle of lake. They are cursed though so have your rain gear ready if you go to the islands. Both times we went to the islands to check them out, it was blue skies when we headed out and rain and wind before we would get there. As soon as we would leave, blue skies again.