So we and the canoe survived the trip. Over the time we were gone we paddled about 28 miles, the majority of which were on our 3 main travel days. Day one we headed in on Saganaga Lake and went to Long Island where we camped. Got a little lost on Sag, lots of islands so I got a little confused, but we ended up about 7 miles that day. Day 2 we just paddled into Red Rock Bay to do some fishing, got into the smallmouths pretty good. Day 3 we lounged around mostly and fished from our campsite. Day 4 was the big day, broke camp and headed for Alpine Lake. So we had to portage from Red Rock Bay into Red Rock lake and then another portage (60 rods or 1000 ft) from Red Rock into Alpine. All of our portages we had to make 2 trips, my wife and I each hauled a canoe the first trip while the kids hauled gear and then the 2nd trip was the rest of our gear. Once on Alpine we paddled to the opposite side to a campsite and set back up with 8 miles of paddling for the day. This area had burned in 2007 and the blue berries were incredible. Everywhere you looked and incredibly thick. Day 6 was the big push out. Paddled across Alpine to the portage to Sea Gull lake (100 rds or 1/4 mile) that one sucked! Then about 6 miles back across Sea Gull to the truck (well, at least the landing as I had a 2 mile walk to where we left the truck yet). Great trip!
The wood canoe performed perfectly. When paddling it seemed to require much less effort to go than the alum canoe I borrowed. Also seemed much more stable. Got some great compliments on it at most of the portages but the first question was always how much does it weigh. When I told people 66 lbs i think they were all willing to stick with their lightweight kevlar canoes. Got beat up in a few spots, some scratches and dings, nothing that can't be fixed.
Kids did not think the trip was that great, too much time away off the grid for them. We packed way to much food and clothes, probably should have brought more comfortable camp chairs and air mattresses. Beautiful country though, even the areas that had burned over. Some beautiful sunsets, listening to the loons at night. Not that many people around. I thought it was a great trip and would do it again.
