I've never used a Knu-Pac, but FWIW I have found sling style yoke pads the most comfortable for me on heavier canoes (i.e. non-kevlar). If you stick with foam pads, use a med-high density closed cell foam that is thick enough to get/keep the yoke off your neck.

The stretch from Pickerel to McCargoe ...

There's been no reports of algae blooms so far this year and best guess is you'll be OK. Lakes Ritchie and Chickenbone have been the most usual suspects in the past, but of course there's no guarantee. They should tell you if and what lakes are affected at orientation when you get there, and what to ...

Thanks for the report, hope you've recovered from the implosion! Was thinking about you when that storm blew thru, glad to hear it was refreshing, as ironic as it seems to say that. What time did you make RH, and what was your overall time?

I can't speak first hand about those sources, but I'm pretty sure you can't count on any source directly on the Greenstone trail. As of yesterday I was told the creek at Island Mine is a trickle, although you can get water. And that's probably the most reliable source other than the lakes, which are ...

Oh one last question (yeah, right)…It seems most of what I’ve read about Feldtmann has people going counterclockwise. I’d really prefer not to end by hiking from Island Mine to Windigo. Any strong reason not to reverse the route?

I did it clockwise and thought it was great. One advantage (to me ...

JerryB wrote: Fri Aug 23, 2024 11:03 am I wonder if it could be a clearing for a helicopter drop zone for lumber for boardwalks?

That would be my guess. I've heard they've been talking about it.

A ranger (last Fri) said there's water, but may not be the most appealing if you're picky (in essence). Apparently it's been somewhat dry and not much rain in the immediate forecast.

Midwest Ed wrote: Wed Aug 14, 2024 4:59 pm Caution on swimming at Todd. Things always come and go of course but I have heard on 3 separate occasions spread years apart of Swimmers Itch caused by a tiny snail parasite

There's a current alert on the park page for swimmers itch at Todd (and Daisy Farm).

I'd do the Feldtmann loop. I've only done it once, solo at the end of May, and it was one of my best trips. Even in June, esp if it's earlier, trails shouldn't be terribly overgrown and it offers a different perspective than what you've had. I'll second everything dcclark has said and add that I ...

Platypus gravity filter is what I've used for years, also used with Sawyer filters. Never treated chemically.

Does anyone know whether previous generations of IR wolves raided the garbage? I also wonder whether bear canisters are going to join the list of approved storage methods. (There’s apparently a bear in the NE part of Yosemite who’s figured out how to get into a bear canister. But since her method ...

rjpifer wrote: Sun Jun 30, 2024 4:47 pm Do you happen to know if they're all the same size or if there are some smaller / some larger?

They're all the same. In fact, identical to the best of my knowledge (full disclosure, I haven't actually been inside one since 1979, lol).

Looking forward to the trip report!
Curious where the Richie/Chippewa portage starts/ends on the CH end? It's only one I've never done, and know that many years ago it was up the creek, but somewhere in my head remember someone saying it was all the way to the campground--that would make for a ...

This map is on the NPS site: https://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/upload/ISRO_Web_Accessible_Rock_Harbor_Area_Guide_2015.pdf
The housekeeping cabins, with numbers, are at the top of the Rock Harbor inset. I don't think there's much difference, other than the view of Tobin Harbor may vary a bit and ...

Seems like this has become more popular in recent years. It's made it on the FAQ page: "Can we bring a bicycle?
Bicycles are allowed at Rock Harbor or Windigo. No off-road biking is permitted in the park. Most bicycles are brought by those doing long bicycle trips in the Upper Midwest, and they use ...