Join us on a trip in Voyageurs National Park's forgotten lake, Sand Point. Thursday September 28th. to Sunday October 1st. We have the Ingersoll Cove (S30) campsite for 3 beautiful remote nights in the wilderness with plenty of time to explore the many interesting sites and fantastic paddling of Sand Point Lake. From this site we will have access to many great day trips including the Grassy Bay Cliffs. We will discuss and plan the day trips when we get to camp and each morning before launching.
We will launch from the Crane Lake public boat launch at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday September 28th. , returning early afternoon of Sunday October 1st. (In case of weather conditions preventing a safe return on Sunday, we’ll stay over. Pack an extra day of food.). The campsite is about 8 miles from the launch. We start with a 3 mile mostly open water crossing of Crane Lake before entering the King Williams Narrows with VNP on one side and the BWCA on the other side. Leaving the King Williams Narrows we enter Sand Point Lake and make our way to Ingersoll Cove at the mouth of Grassy Bay. You’ll want to get up to the area Wednesday evening to be at the Crane Lake launch by 8:00 a.m. on Thursday . Launch time is 10:00 a.m. There are plenty of places to stay the night in Crane Lake. We can discuss going in on a couple rooms before we leave.
A full trip will have 8 paddlers. We have 4 tent pads. Each can accommodate 2 2-person tents.
If the trip fills, let me know if you want to be on a 'wait list'.
This trip can be a Level II trip but prepare for Level III conditions. Late September early October can mean heavy winds. Motorboat traffic should be low in the narrows but some traffic should be expected. We’ll have a pre-trip meeting to make sure everyone feels prepared and excited about our adventure together.
I strongly encourage you bring a Voyageurs NP National Geographic Map (the #264 & 410 combination) along with a waterproof map case. It’s fun to figure out where we are, where we want to go, and how many miles we’re logging. Cell service and VHF reception in Sand Point is very spotty and nonexistent in Grassy Bay. If you have a satellite communicator bring it. I'll have one with me.
Expect cool weather with frosty nights.
Expected conditions for this trip are ISK Level III.
Winds >14 mph, scattered whitecaps, waves up to 2.5'.
Total distance each day up to 11 miles.
Prerequisites:
- Wet suit or dry suit for cold water conditions*
- Wet exit & T rescue
- Ability to paddle ~3mph
- Ability to paddle up to 12 miles in a day
- Ability to paddle in wind and waves
- Ability to cool weather camp (average low 15°)*
- Ability to paddle kayak loaded with 4 days worth of camping gear
*Weather in late September could be surprisingly warm, but that far north you must be prepared for cold water and cold weather.
We follow Leave-No-Trace principles, with a particular focus on "Pack in, Pack out".
Cancellations are only allowed up to September 1st. After that you will be responsible for selling your spot to another member. Contact me.
Questions? Email Greg,
hdxrracer@yahoo.com