BWCA Backpacking Trip In April

“Who's interested in coming to the area this spring to go backpacking in this beautiful wilderness area?”

“Are you still planning this trip, Simer190?”

“um, I thought it was a canoe area?”

“+ trails”

“It's where the weenies from the Twin Cities canoe. The trails are seldom used and great! Hey Matt, aren't you waiting on pins and needles for someone to tell you it's too early and you'll get snowed on, etc?”

“Pretty much, yeah, this trips is a week later than the trip I planned last year when nobody had the guts to show up - as Niblefoot said, yes the BWCA is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, but there are many hiking trails in the area also that are seldom used and give access to areas of the wilderness that canoes don't, and it's a great experience.”

“I was thinking about a Pictured Rocks trip in this timeframe, but I'll put myself down as a solid Maybe.”

“This sounds good. I've been itching to get out there and hike around.”

“I'm kind of new to all of this. But I might be interested in showing up??? Worried about the coldness in April-but I've done Supior Hiking Trail in late April-so I figure this can't be too much worse???
last edited: 2/10/05 8:01:16 PM”

“Hope you've been enjoying your winter. I hope to see you on a trip again soon. We're doing a Kettle Moraine hike March 4-6th if you're interested. theloraxpa@yahoo.com”

“Why's everyone so tenative about the BWCA in April? We can do this thing!! Simer, what's the planned departure time on the14th? Also, when would you anticipate we'd get back out on the last day? I would have to drive back to Wisconsin for work Monday...

But count me in - look forward to it :)”

“I'm locked in after checking the dates.”

“Awesome - this is going to be a great trip. Departure on the 14th: Whatever works for you guys, say around 11:00 AM. And pull off the trial on sunday sometime around Noon I suppose - I do not have a route planned yet, give me a few days to stare at my maps and I'll have a more finalized plan and schedule. Give me ideas - what time can you show up, what time would you like to be off the trail?

As for the BWCA in April, don't be afraid of it, it's already spring here - or seems like it anyways. There is a possibility that there will be snow on the ground, but since when did a little snow stop anybody? As for the SHT compared to this, the north shore area gets a lot more snow compared to us, lake effect - so I'd assume this would be better than the SHT. Feel free to show up beerwench.

I'm also compelled to say that if this becomes a very popular trip, the group limit must remain under nine people, though you could probably squeeze that many people into the sites, they're not built for nine seperate tents - just keep that in mind.”

“Simer, the Lorax and I will likely travel together from Wisconsin. We can shoot up to Ely Wednesday night, so we'll be good to go whenever you need us ready Thursday. On the back end, if we can leave sunday somewhere between 12:00pm-1:00pm we'll be in good shape getting back here in time for work :)”

“Simer,

Any chance you'll be in Ely the second week of June?

Mozark”

“MR - alright, sounds like a plan, I suppose we can hit the trail by 10:00 am on thursday, and head out by noon on sunday - I'll plan the trip around that timeframe.


mozark-
I suppose there's a possibilty... but probably not a very good one, I'll let you know when we get closer to that time.”

“Mozark, any chance you can hit the Upper IO-WAnna Canoe/Kayak trip? It's June 4-6. Kinda on your way. :-)”

“I\'m still thinking about it-haven\'t ruled it out yet? Call me a light weight(I\'ve been called worse)-but I\'m not sure about the cold weather yet??? We still get snow storms in Iowa in April!! *Guess I\'d have to take plenty of BAILEY\'S or SNAPPS!! If I would decide to go is there anybody willing to carpool-it\'s a long drive by myself? I could meet somebody in Minneapolis & leave a vehicle there-I have family who\'s homes I could leave my car at??

**LORAX**
I\'ve e-mailed you about the Kettle Morain trip-did you get it? Is tag-a-long going to venture out on this trip as well??”

“I would like to make this trip but just got a wedding invite for the 16th of April.”

“What's wrong with cold weather anyway? I mean, not just beerwench, but all of the pansies on this site who won't go out because of cold. April it's not gonna be below zero, I could see maybe having a problem then... but April is nice, just cool - perfect hiking weather, unless there's still 2 feet of snow on the ground, but at the rate this year is going i doubt it. Anyways, the cold weather has many benefits, I'd much rater hike in cool weather than 80 degrees and humid, I'd much rather sleep at 30 degrees than 80, there's no bugs, don't get me wrong, I still hike in the summer, but i also hike in the middle of winter (ski/snowshoe, or whatever) I still prefer fall/spring backpacking.”

“I knew i was forgetting something (and probably still am) cold weather allows you to pack food you wouldn't normally be able to, such as fresh meat, mmm”

“I'd take cold weather hiking over warm weather hiking anyday, Simer... We'll be rockin the BWCA in April.”

“Any firm plans yet for our route?”

“I'll get back to ya after the long weekend, I haven't even had a chance to look at the maps yet. But I'm gonna say, most likely the snowbank trail.”

“Simer, do you have any suggestions on a good topo fo this area? Do you happen to know what quad it is (USGS)? I've been skimming the web briefly for good maps and have yet to come across one. When I have more time, I could get on and search one out - but I'm looking for a short cut ;)

What are you using for maps?”

“Either Fisher or Makenzie (sp?) sell maps of the bw - I'm not sure of the quad, I think I have a Fisher Map - I'm not home at the moment, I have none of my maps available - I know the maps I have cut the trail off between the two maps, maybe the other version doesn't do that? If you need more info, I'll get it by wenesday when i go back to school.”

“Alright, I have a tenative schedule updated on the trip page. If you guys are driving up on Wednesday anyway, we could hit the trail on Wednesday night if you'd like - just an option.

The maps I have of the area are the Fisher F-10/F-11 maps, which are a little frustrating because they split the trail in half between the two. Give me a minute, I can probably find out the Quad too, just have to change computer labs.”

“lets see how this works...



Ahh, customized map.
last edited: 2/24/05 1:07:28 PM”

“*laugh* Logged in under wrong account....

Anyway, how much will we owe you, Simer, for the permits etc. I'm assuming you are handling them?

I'm really looking forward to this trip.... I've always wanted to hike in the Boundry Waters. What's our mileage look like?”

“I updated it, check the trip page for mileage and did you see the map i posted a few days ago?

Another thing I could have added about "cold weather backpacking" Is the lack of permit costs in the BW, since our trip is planned for before May 1st. We still need to carry a permit, but it is a self issued permit, and it is free.”

“Saawwweeeeeet! Looks good to me, Simer. We'll be there Wednesday night (late). Ready to rock onThursday.”

“Who's that? Are you signed up for the trip? You're welcome to join us, I don't believe that I've ever seen you around here before though.”

“Didn't mean to scare you away :P Just wondering if you're someone that's signed up with a different name? People changing their names all the time around here... or a newbie, if that's the case, go ahead and sign up so i can get a count of who's all going and so you don't miss out on any mail that I send out.”

“*laugh* Yeah, it's me moutnainrunner.

Melissa (my girlfriend) used to go under the name mrsmountainrunnner. This morning, she had logged in under her old screen name but I did not notice since it is so close to mine! And then I didn't realize she had logged in under her new name and not logged out. Normally, my screen name is the only logged in on our computer ;)

So, that message was from me!”

“haha, ok sounds good”

“Man, are we goona get any more takers?! What an opportunity for a great trip. I'm looking forward to this one.”

“I'm surprised Prosecutor or lizs or anybody hasn't planned a trip for the same weekend in Wisconsin or something :P.

Who knows, maybe more will sign up by that time, if not they'll be missing out and we'll have the whole wilderness area to ourselves.”

“Hello, I live north of the cities (Princeton) and have only posted a couple times but read nightly. I don't know anyone but might be really interested in a trip. Not sure of the details and if anyone is invited? Promise I am relatively harmless...J”

“At the top of this thread click on "Goto Trip Page: Backpacking in the BWCA", or go to the "trips" page and scroll down the various trips across the country. Once on the trips page you will see the details of this trip, and there will be a link to sign up for the trip. This is a public trip and everyone is welcome to attend, so feel free to check it out.”

“The more the merrier, everstnut!! Feel free to join us :)”

“Exactly”

“Great, I'll check out the trip page and work schedule...sounds like a blast. Wierd insane thing...I have lived in Minnesota for 15 years and have never been to the BWCA...Maybe that will change...thanks for the invite...J”

“Simer, would you be interested in a SHT trip in May?”

“Have decided I'm out for this trip. I'm going to take Lizs trip to Yellow River in Iowa on April 1st-3rd. Little farther south for me this time of year would be better. I know call me a wimp-I don't care- I am!!!! Have a fun trip everbody and hope to do the BWCA someday perferable later in the year than April!”

“How's the weather been in Minnesota, Simer? Oh, looked at your webpage... cool, man. Liked it alot.

Hope all is well, look forward to this trip :)”

“weather lately where? lol, down here in the south it appears to be spring, but I know when i head back up north in a couple days it's gonna be winter again.”

“Hello all, I have been checking out this trip for about a month and I am very interested in tagging along if you will have me. I haven't posted on this forum before although I do read threads often. I post under the same name on the 'other site'. I put myself down as a maybe because I haven't checked with my wife and work, but they are both pretty flexible.

Everestnut, if you are still thinking about going, I could perhaps give you a ride if needed. I live in Monticello, which is just south and west of Princeton.”

“Simer,

Will you be in Ely the first full week of June? I've got another permit and am ready to hit the water.

Mozark”

“Shadowhiker...hey neighbor. Still looking into it. Had a couple "gliches" in life and it might be a bit soon. Keep me updated though because a ride share would be really great. I live right on the Sherburne wildlife refuge. Are you on the southwest side of that? J”