Trying to figure out the time it will take to move from (Russell near the Sturgeon L. outlet)to the entrance to McKenzie Bay. This looks like it will take about 8 hours. Should I budget more time? Plan to lay up? There are five portages going by way of Montgomery Lake. Any of these time consuming? We double portage. My plan is to take two days to arrive at McKenzie from Stanton Bay, stay three nights and then take three days on the return so we can hit the places that interest us on the way back. Not withstanding adverse weather, what to you, seems reasonable at a moderate pace? Thank you.

8 hours seems reasonable, depending on the wind and how efficiently your group portages. The portages are all easy.

Total distance from Russell/Sturgeon channel to mouth of McKenzie Bay is about 19 miles via Montgomery, so I'd plan on an entire day, even though it might take less.

I guess the timing would depend on why you are going to Montgomery. If you're wanting to spend any time there, it will take longer. If you're looking for quickest route, go through Shelley.

Montgomery is actually a good option, as there can be a LOT of current between the outlet of Kawnipi and Shelly (depending on water levels), and his group (including some older, inexperienced trippers), is traveling upstream.

Thanks guys, this helps me plan. Seems like a big day following another big day. Might have to adjust my planning.

Hello Thwarted,

Have you got any more info. on your route. Like I said I'll be in that area starting on June 5. I figure we will see the weather conditions and go from there. Drop me a line some time.

Moosehopper,
Long time...you been grading papers?
We have finally settled at six guys which is manageable and I am looking forward to the trip. Our group has changed significantly so we now have only one at 70 plus years (rookie) and five with canoeing/camping experience.
We enter on 6/2 (assuming soft water) at Stanton Bay and plan to be on Kawnipi on the 4th and 5th then heading back to Russell the 6th, then Russell to the south side of Pickerel for our last night. We plan to exit through the B chain.

If we find on day two that we have been too optimistic about our ability to cover ground we will just sit on Russell for a day then improvise until the 7th. Its a vacation and it is all good!

Either way we should be on Russell the evening of the 6th or Pickerel the 7th. Look us up.

There's a really nice, I mean REALLY NICE, campsite on Kawnipi just northeast of the Montgomery Portage. 33D on the PCD I've got pictures of it if interested queticopassage@gmail.com
qp

Thanks QP. So noted on my map.

Thwarted,

Sounds good. We are going in on June 5 we could be out for 10-12 days. It all depends on how well my son is doing in the north woods and how much fun he is having. We will have a souris river 17ft quetico version and I am going light on gear other than food. Lots of yummy food for him and I. I haven't decided starting at staton bay or going in on French Lake. Either way I will have the car at French so we have access to an escape if need be. I am contemplating if things go well to go to Kawinipi. We have lots of time and it would be fun just going slow and having some time to explore. If you see a father and son combo going through that area in a tanish yellowish souris river canoe give a yellp. I will watch for six folks in three canoes. It would be fun if we saw you to say hello. See ya on the water fella.

Moosehopper

Moosehopper,10-12 days Stanton bay to Kawnipi the fun should be endless. I have been 23 times and I still have a hard time leaving!!!
send me your address and I will mark some maps for you about nice campsites and areas to fish. Thwarted, I saw on another post that you are driving along Superiors north shore. You will really like this drive. Went this way several years ago, great views of the big lake also saw a bear just north of Superior provincial park. Anthony

cool Miami1, my email is earthart88@gmail.com. I would love some great information on this area. You are awesome. Thank you.