Sorry for the long post, but I figure the more info I give, the better info I'll get.
I'm fairly new to the site but not new to canoes, or camping. We have been on some great trips but for the most part, we do a lot of day trips or our canoe camping has been repeats to the same places.
I'd say we are intermediate paddlers. Very capable on class 2, and okay on lakes but we don't have spray covers so we are well aware of the dangers on large, windy lakes. Not at all against paddling lakes but I have a deep respect for big water.
We started getting serious about BWCA but it's getting tiresome with the permit system, campsite system, and competition for open sites, and now the new regs on bear containers. I'd deal with any of those things but when all added up, I'm thinking we just need to move on to new adventures.
The main reason I joined the site was to learn some options from you good people if you care to share info. At the same time, I realize that publicizing stuff can sometimes ruin a good thing so I understand if anyone is cryptic or vague with their suggestions.
I guess I should reveal a few things about us in order to get more applicable feedback.
My wife and I are located in SW PA, we are 66 and retired, and in good health overall. She's in great shape. My main issue is I have a bad ankle which can limit portaging...For now. I fully intend on rectifying the situation (may have to actually have a replacement in the next year) but for the sake of this discussion, we'd prefer short, easier portages or none at all. But I also realize the best places are usually at least a couple of carries away. We double portage.
We own 2 tandems, a royalex and a carbon. Both great boats but I'm not running the carbon down rocky rivers and the royalex is a bit heavy for me to portage. Just something to keep in mind when suggesting routes.
We love rivers but we have a great flatwater boat so we are open to either types of trips. Seems like a lot of the Maine trips that I've read about are a mix of lakes and rivers (Allagash). I guess that means using our royalex on trips like that?? I hate the thoughts of carrying that boat long distances or over rugged terrain.
We seldom trip with other people, so shuttles or loops are something we normally need to plan out. We aren't against paddling with others but most of our friends either don't canoe camp, or their schedules don't mesh with ours. Or...someone would kill the others. Haha 4 go out and 2 come back! JK.
Minor detail...We tent camp, no hammocks in case that effects any suggestions.
We aren't afraid to drive. We've driven to Montana a few times to run rivers.
Never did anything in Canada (YET). Been watching some Canada YouTubers (Northern Scavenger, Lost Lakes, Jim and Ted Baird, etc) and those trips excite me and scare me at the same time. Some of their portages are down right brutal.
I'd consider Canada but I'm just not sure that I want to cross the border. I know I know...Thousands of people do it every day. It's just something I'll have to deal with.
Fishing is a high priority. Especially for smallmouth.
States/areas I'd like to hear suggestions...
MN (other than BW). Voyagers worth checking out?
We took a short trip to Isle Royal last year. No canoe, just some hikes. Are those portages on I.R. as hard as I think they are?
WI, MI, NY, ME, or ??
Thanks in advance for any help!
I'm fairly new to the site but not new to canoes, or camping. We have been on some great trips but for the most part, we do a lot of day trips or our canoe camping has been repeats to the same places.
I'd say we are intermediate paddlers. Very capable on class 2, and okay on lakes but we don't have spray covers so we are well aware of the dangers on large, windy lakes. Not at all against paddling lakes but I have a deep respect for big water.
We started getting serious about BWCA but it's getting tiresome with the permit system, campsite system, and competition for open sites, and now the new regs on bear containers. I'd deal with any of those things but when all added up, I'm thinking we just need to move on to new adventures.
The main reason I joined the site was to learn some options from you good people if you care to share info. At the same time, I realize that publicizing stuff can sometimes ruin a good thing so I understand if anyone is cryptic or vague with their suggestions.
I guess I should reveal a few things about us in order to get more applicable feedback.
My wife and I are located in SW PA, we are 66 and retired, and in good health overall. She's in great shape. My main issue is I have a bad ankle which can limit portaging...For now. I fully intend on rectifying the situation (may have to actually have a replacement in the next year) but for the sake of this discussion, we'd prefer short, easier portages or none at all. But I also realize the best places are usually at least a couple of carries away. We double portage.
We own 2 tandems, a royalex and a carbon. Both great boats but I'm not running the carbon down rocky rivers and the royalex is a bit heavy for me to portage. Just something to keep in mind when suggesting routes.
We love rivers but we have a great flatwater boat so we are open to either types of trips. Seems like a lot of the Maine trips that I've read about are a mix of lakes and rivers (Allagash). I guess that means using our royalex on trips like that?? I hate the thoughts of carrying that boat long distances or over rugged terrain.
We seldom trip with other people, so shuttles or loops are something we normally need to plan out. We aren't against paddling with others but most of our friends either don't canoe camp, or their schedules don't mesh with ours. Or...someone would kill the others. Haha 4 go out and 2 come back! JK.
Minor detail...We tent camp, no hammocks in case that effects any suggestions.
We aren't afraid to drive. We've driven to Montana a few times to run rivers.
Never did anything in Canada (YET). Been watching some Canada YouTubers (Northern Scavenger, Lost Lakes, Jim and Ted Baird, etc) and those trips excite me and scare me at the same time. Some of their portages are down right brutal.
I'd consider Canada but I'm just not sure that I want to cross the border. I know I know...Thousands of people do it every day. It's just something I'll have to deal with.
Fishing is a high priority. Especially for smallmouth.
States/areas I'd like to hear suggestions...
MN (other than BW). Voyagers worth checking out?
We took a short trip to Isle Royal last year. No canoe, just some hikes. Are those portages on I.R. as hard as I think they are?
WI, MI, NY, ME, or ??
Thanks in advance for any help!