Published May 5, 2004 12:00AM
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Kayaking in the Land of 10,000 Lakes Question: I am looking for some places to go sea kayaking in the Midwest but not on any of the Great Lakes. Any suggestions? Brian Zimmer Chicago, Illinois bzimmer@ziclix.com Adventure Adviser: When in search of water, head to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Although it’s primarily hailed as a canoeist’s destination, northern Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is one of the most pristine places to paddle in the United States. Though the million-acre chain of lakes could get somewhat tiresome because you’ll have to do a lot of portaging, there are points of entry where you can avoid the really small puddle jumps. Try to get a permit for Saganaga Lake, located on the very end of the Gunflint Trail. (The Gunflint Trail starts in Grand Marais on the north shore of Lake Superior.) Saganaga Lake borders Canada, and you can go through Canadian customs to the larger lakes in Quetico Provincial Park, or stay in the United States and paddle the long and narrow border lakes. To enter the BWCA, you must buy a permit, and you must stay at a designated campsite — marked by a red dot on maps that you can pick up at any outfitter in Grand Marais. For permit and outfitter information call 218-387-3037. |