For over 300 years, canoes have been the means of transportation in the vast wilderness known as Quetico-Superior Park, a region composed of numerous interlocking lakes on the borders of Northern Minnesota and Southern Canada.   Centuries ago, Indians traveled these endless water ways in Birch-bark canoes.  The canoe became a freighter to carry furs and supplies for the happy voyagers who were experts at running the highways of streams, lakes, and rivers.  Today, many adventurers still paddle these vast lakes now know by a different name, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).  We like to call it the North Woods!

The general structure and travel plans for our Wilderness Canoe Expedition is written below.  Please keep in mind that this itinerary may be subject to change, depending upon the weather and traveling circumstances beyond our control.  The expedition party will be composed of no more than nine people (including the two guides).

Notation for all the meals that will provided during the expedition are located (B= breakfast, L= lunch, and D=dinner) after the activity description for each expedition day.
 

Day 1    (Friday, August 6)
Akron / Wisconsin
Depart Akron in the wee hours of the morning and arrive in Wisconsin before dark (location not yet determined).  Set up camp and bivouac or book two motel rooms for the night.  Camping or motel fee is included in your registration fee.  (All meals on your own during travel unless otherwise noted)

Day 2    (Saturday, August 7)
Wisconsin / Gunflint Trail Minnesota
Drive to Duluth Minnesota and stop for a visit at the Duluth Pack store.  Drive further North to Grand Marais and shop at a few outfitters to give opportunity for you last minute purchases.  Also, take time to do a little sightseeing of Lake Superior.  Drive to the end of the Gunflint Trail and set up camp.  Share a Sunday-evening worship service and devotional.  Double check packs before bed and situate belongs to set out promptly the next morning.  (D)

Day 3    (Sunday, August 8)
Wilderness Entry/ Locate Base Camp
Rise with the sun, gulp down breakfast and pack up camp.  Everyone will be restless to set out into the wilderness!  Secure campsite and all items that will be left in our vehicle at the Gunflint Trail parking lot.  Our goal is to set out no latter than 9 o’clock so we can make good mileage and have time to stop and enjoy the scenery throughout the day.  Locate base camp before dark, set up camp, and massage sore muscles from a hard days paddle. (B, L, D)

Day 4    (Monday, August 9)
Fishing/ Exploring/Lay low day
Explore the lakes and streams around the camp site.  This is a good day to lay low, fish, read a book, or hunt for Indian pictographs.  Every one is expected to be at base camp for each meal unless the guides have given you permission to pack your meals.  Team members never paddle alone.  (B, L, D)

Day 5    (Tuesday, August 10)
Fishing/Day Trip Loop
This is a good day to do some more fishing or set out on a day trip to an agreed upon destination.  The expedition party may split-up in multiple exploring teams depending on the group’s destination and exploring plans.  This day is a good time to spend some family time together in the wilderness.  All team members are required to arrive back at base camp before dark unless they have permission to camp elsewhere and arrive back at camp the next day.  (B, L, D)


Day 6    (Wednesday, August 11)
Break Base Camp/ Locate Second Campsite
Break base camp and paddle to the second campsite located on the return leg back to the Gunflint Trail. (B, L, D)


Day 7    (Thursday, August 12)
Break Second Campsite/ Return to Civilization
Break second camp and pack up for the last day in the water.  Complete return leg of the canoe trip and arrive back at the Gunflint Tail in time for showers and a well appreciated hot lunch at the trails end restaurant!  Pack up gear and pile into the vehicle(s).  Snap your last pictures of the Gunflint Trail and begin the long drive home. Depending on the number of drivers and their fatigue levels from the trip we may drive through the night so as to arrive back in Akron early Saturday morning.  At this point most people have an itch to get home.  (B)

Day 8    (Friday, August 13)
Return to Akron/ Unload Vehicle and Sleep
Coming back home is probably one of the most rewarding and saddest parts of the trip.  After paddling around for five days in the wilderness home sweet home is seldom more welcoming!  The team will arrive back in Akron and unload sometime before noon.  Before parting ways team members will decide upon a date to meet again when they can exchange pictures and stories from the expedition with their families and new found friends.

Expedition Cost:   $470
Price per person based on last year’s (2009) expedition cost.  The $470 expedition cost may be subject to slight modifications plus or minus $25 depending on the size of the expedition party and the price of gas during the summer of 2010.

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