THE BEST OF THE BEST FROM PATH OF THE PADDLE
TOP 5 CAMPSITES
PICTURED: Partridge Falls
[GOLD] Partridge Falls – Located on the Pigeon River, just upstream of Fort Charlotte (the North side of Grand Portage), Partridge Falls is a total gem. The falls are massive and gorgeous. The site itself is at the top of the falls and could fit at least 4 tents. There is a path leading from the site down to the bottom of the falls which takes you to an incredible oasis, nestled under the falls, which is lush from the constant spray off the falls. Partridge Falls is accessible from the East through Grand Portage (14 km, or from the West from North Fowl Lake down the Pigeon River. It is also road accessible by 4x4 vehicles or quads.
[SILVER] Gale Lake – Located East of Dogtooth Lake and Rushing River, Gale Lake campsite is a must-stay in the Experimental Lakes area. A quick portage at the East side of Kilvert Lake leads you into Gale, a small (about 2 km diameter) pristine lake. The magnificent Gale Lake beach site is on the North shore and is an expansive stretch of beach with your own private lake! The site could accommodate about 4 tents (more or less depending on water levels and the size of the beach) and even has a picnic table!
[BRONZE] Turtle Lake – Located North-West of Atikokan, Turtle Lake is a beauty: clear water and beaches! The Turtle Lake campsite is on a spit of land which stretches of the North shore. This large beach site gives you an (almost) 360 view of the lake, while still decently sheltered from the wind. The site can accommodate at least 5 tents and Turtle Lake is road accessible.
[4th] Bald Rock Falls – Bald Rock Falls is situated in the middle of Quetico’s Falls Chain. The falls are wide and sandwiched between two sloping ‘bald’ rocky shores. A great spot for exploring and swimming, sunbathing by the falls, or fishing, Bald Rock Falls site has it all! The site itself is on river left, and can accommodate about 3 tents.
[5th] Russell Lake – This Quetico Lake site is massive and scenic. The site is located on the South shore and can be spotted by its sloping rock shoreline. The landing is huge and a perfect flat rock for spending time by the water. The site itself is located on higher ground (a bit of a walk on established trails from the landing) and provides an incredible view of the lake. The site can accommodate at least 5 tents and would be a great place to set up for a few days!
[Honorable Mention] Dibble Falls – Just North West of White Otter Lake, Dibble Falls is a wonderful rocky site on river right of a smaller, but beautiful falls. Very spacious with lots of room for activities!
[Honorable Mention] Porcus Lake – Located at the West end of the Lake, Porcus site is a massive expanse of rock stretched along the shore. A large boulder makes up a great wind break for the cooking area of the site, and is a neat centerpiece for the site!
TOP 5 LAKES
PICTURED: Tetu Lake
[GOLD] White Otter Lake – Beautiful beaches galore and crystal clear waters…perfection.
[SILVER] Lake Superior – This immense beast is intimidating for her size, power and beauty. Scenic cliffs, clear (but freezing!)water, and a view of the Sleeping Giant and Mount Mackay!
[BRONZE] Keats Lake – This Quetico lake is the basin of two side-by-side waterfalls which stretch across an entire coast of the lake. Truly breathtaking.
[4th] Teggau Lake – A quick portage from the South West of Eagle Lake brings you into Teggau Lake (a detour off the Path of the Paddle route, but so very worth it!). Crystal clear waters and incredible cliffs on the North shore. A MUST SEE!
[5th] Tetu Lake – Just West of Whitedog, Tetu is a large lake littered with amazing beach sites everywhere you turn.
TOP 5 ‘OH JEEZE LOUISE’ CHALLENGES
PICTURED: Paddling in a storm on day 67.
[GOLD] Grand Portage – 14 km portage between Lake Superior and the Pigeon River…Our FIRST portage of the trip…
[SILVER] Westerly Winds (Eagle Lake)- 2 ½ weeks NON STOP of headwinds on big lakes. Yikes.
[BRONZE] Wabigoon to Dore – The most strenuous portages of the trip by far. The portages are still ‘under construction’ and on top of that, we tackled this day with 3 km of portaging in +40 degree heat!
[4th] Bending Lake to Three Mile Lake – Another stretch of ‘under construction’ portages. This section is hopefully going to include some boardwalks in the future, but for us it was a glorious time trudging through boggy stretches, where every step you sink to your knees!
[5th] Rain & Storms – The first 13 days of the trip we had 10 days of rain. The last week of the trip it stormed non-stop for three days with a ‘Severe Rainfall’ Warning!
TOP 5 “WEEKEND GETAWAYS”
PICTURED: Lake Superior
[GOLD] Batchewuang & Pickerel – Quetico’s most accessible; Batchewuang Lake hosts endless campsites, all of which are amazing.
[SILVER] White Otter & Clearwater West – Beach weekend!
[BRONZE] Lake Superior – Many places to start along Superior; dress warm and be careful!
[4th] Winnange – Upper Stewart Lake road access can take you into Winnange or Geejay or Manomin for the weekend, or even further into the ELA area!
[5th] Winnipeg River – Want some longer paddling days? Keewatin to Minaki is about 50 km and has great sloping rock sites galore!
TOP 5 WEEK LONG TRIPS
PICTURED: Gale Lake beach site in the ELA area.
[GOLD] Experimental Lakes Area (Dogtooth to Upper Stewart)- Clearest water, most gorgeous portages!
[SILVER] Turtle River (Clearwater West – Minecenter)- SO many beaches, SUCH fun rapids!
[BRONZE] Quetico (Pickerel Put In – various loops possible)- Campsites galore! No motor boats allowed!
[4th] Boundary Waters to Grand Portage (West to East)- Paddling DOWN the Pigeon River! Includes the incredible Partridge Falls.
[5th] Boundary Waters (Gunflint to Northern Light)- Granite River rapids are too much fun!
TOP 5 SCENIC SPOTS
PICTURED: Teggau Lake cliffs
[GOLD] Lake Superior Cliffs
[SILVER] Trafalgar Bay Pictographs
[BRONZE] Teggau Lake Cliffs
[4th] The Falls Chain, Quetico – Non-stop chain of waterfalls! Lots of portages, but WELL worth it.
[5th] White Otter Castle – Built over 23 years (starting in 1901) by ONE MAN ALONE, this 4 storey castle (including turret!) still stands today as the only building on White Otter Lake!
TOP 5 TRAIL MEALS
Pictured: Paul enjoying a slice of Thai Chicken Pizza
[GOLD] Thai Chicken Pizza – Check out our blog post to find out how to make it!
[SILVER] Pesto Gnocchi – Vacuum sealed Gnocchi from Superstore lasts FOREVER!
[BRONZE] Lightly Fried Fish Fillets
[4th] Butter Chicken – We cheat and bring the pre-packaged sauce.
[5th] Dippy Do – A great new trail invention. Make a pot of popcorn over the fire. Next, roast a marshmallow. Then peel the outside layer off the marshmallow, leaving the new outside layer sticky. Finally, dip your marshmallow into the pot of popcorn and ENJOY!