Piragis Northwoods Company
105 North Central Avenue
Ely, Minnesota 55731
1-800-223-6565 www.piragis.com October 10, 2008
News from Piragis Northwoods Company and the BoundaryWatersCatalog.com:
From some of our Canoe Outfitting Clients:
Just finished my first boundary trip last week and am already planning my 2010 trip. First I just wanted to thank you and my brother Preston for such a great trip. It was everything I imagined. Piragis was a great provider of gear and suggested a great trip. We had a beautiful trip and hooked some great fish.
Thanks again. Loved my trip.
Johnny McKenzie
"I wanted to express my appreciation and admiration for the great time I had on the '08 Fall Colors trip. Although I have paddled the BWCAW for years with a group of friends, this was my first guided trip. I found a week in the wilderness with Steve Johnson and Adam Macht to be an enormous learning experience, one that will benefit and inform future trips. Steve (The Moose Whisperer) Johnson in particular bears special mention (I'm guessing you hear this often), I've never met anyone so completely in their element as Steve is in the wilderness. Every BWCAW paddler
should have an experience like that at least once, and preferably earlier in their paddling career.
It's not often one comes across a commercial enterprise like Piragis: my every interaction from start to finish was smooth and customer-centric. Let me know when your '09 schedule firms up.
Enjoy the off-season,
Mike Evans
P.S. Here's a picture of the Moose Whisperer and his apprentice in action on Insula:"
Video of the Echo Trail's Fall Colors
On the way back from our hike on the Astrid Lake Hiking Trail (see story below), I shot a little video. The skies were beginning to cloud over and I just had my little point and shoot camera, but you can get the idea. The trees arc overhead and spill their colorful autumn attire down on you. The whole world is a mix of orange, yellow, red and green as you descend into Ely for about an hour. Taking the road slow is a treasure, stopping at one of the entry points or lakes on the way for a snack is must at this time of year when everything has slowed its pace and there's not much to be heard except the falling of the leaves. -- Tim Stouffer, Webmaster
We've got a few rental canoes left. These canoes have been used just one season.
20' Kevlar Core Wenonah Minnesota IIIs, 55 lbs ------------New $2899 Used One Season $1700
19' Kevlar Core Wenonah Itasca Supertripper, 49 lbs ------New $2899 Used One Season $1750
18'6 Kevlar Core Wenonah Minnesota IIs, 42 lbs -----------New $2499 Used One Season $1550
18' Royalex Wenonah Champlain, 73 lbs, ---------------------New $1399 Used One Season $1000
17'6" Kevlar Core Wenonah Escape, 41 lbs, ------------------New $2399 Used One Season $1450
18'6 GRAPHITE Core Wenonah Minnesota IIs, 42 lbs ----New $2999 Used One Season $2500
17'6" GRAPHITE Core Wenonah Escape, 41 lbs, ----------New $2899 Used One Season $2250
16'6" GRAPHITE Core Wenonah Prism Solo, 31 lbs, -----New $2649 Used One Season $2200
18'6" Kevlight Bell Northwoods, 47 lbs, -----------------------New $2570 Used One Season $1600
17' Kevlight Bell Seliga Trippers, 44 lbs, -----------------------New $3040 Used One Season $1900
16' Kevlight Bell Magic Solo, 32 lbs, ---------------------------New $2345 Used One Season $1250
16'6" Poly Current Designs Squall GTS Kayak, 58 lbs, -----New $1499 Used One Season $900
15' Poly Current Designs Vision 150, 59 lbs, -----------------New $2899 Used One Season $1000
16'5" Poly Wilderness Systems Tsunami 165, 62 lbs, -------New $1499 Used One Season $1000
Here's an example of what our used canoes look like when you pick them up. All of our rentals are used just one season and then sold. They have many, many years of life left in them. We recondition them at the end of the season by adding some clear resin where needed and then applying a thin layer of marine varnish. Here are some pics of what a typical rental looks like when sold. We can arrange for delivery within 500 miles of Ely, MN for $100 - $200 (call us for delivery quotes if you live farther away). Steven Schon, Canoe Specialist
As part of our ongoing newsletters we're going to feature different campgrounds in our local area. The Superior National Forest is a great place to car camp with a tent, bring your RV or pop-up or base camp for daily canoe trips. This week we are featuring Jeanette Lake Campground. About an hours drive plus up the Echo Trail this Campground has 12 sites and is a hidden treasure with an extensive hiking trail nearby.
Located on the shore of Lake Jeanette.
Description:
Jeanette Lake Campground is located adjacent to Jeanette Lake. Restrooms are provided. Approximate season dates are May 1 through September 15. Popular activities include bird watching, fishing, and hiking. Only two vehicles allowed per campsite, therefore there are no "extra vehicle" charges. There is a drop box for camping fees ($10 per night during the season).
Services & Amenities: Within Facility
Bird Watching
Boat Launch Ramp
Comfort Station
Drinking Water
Fire Rings
Fishing
Hiking Trail
Vault Toilet
Getting There: Take the Echo Trail North of Ely (approximately an hour and 15 minutes) past entry point #14 Little Indian Sioux River.
Astrid Lake Hiking Trail from Lake Jeanette Campground:
Astrid Lake Hiking Trail: My family and I hiked the first part of the Astrid Lake Hiking Loop to Nigh Lake. It was an easy hike a little short of 3/4 of a mile to gorgeous Nigh Lake and the first of a group of wilderness-type campsites on this little group of Superior National Forest lakes. The path to Nigh was mostly level with some narrow boardwalks over the wet part of the trail and towards the end the ground begins to rise. As descend again down towards the lake you'll find some amazing glacial erratics - large boulders - that seem to have sprouted up out of the forest floor. This region is known for them and they combine with the sheer beauty of the setting to make a spectacular impression. The trails are well maintained and the campsites are respected and taken care of by those that visit. - Tim Stouffer, Piragis
There are over six miles of trail in the Astrid Lake Trail system. Permits are not required for use of this trail system since it is outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
There are wilderness-type campsites, with firegrates and box latrines, on the lakes along the trail. They are generally located on short spur trails off the main trail. These spur trails are not signed. Opportunities for solitude are excellent during the winter season. Less than one-half mile from the trailhead at Lake Jeanette, hikers approach County Road 116, the Echo Trail. Use extreme caution when crossing this road as motorists on it are generally unprepared for pedestrians crossing. Once across, the trail meets the portage from Lake Jeanette to Nigh Lake.
Almost at Nigh Lake, the trail heads south from the portage, and skiers get a glimpse of some imposing bluffs. The point nearest Nigh Lake on the southeast is a scenic overlook of the lake and area vistas. Either route from this area traverses ledgerock with jackpine, maple, birch, and oaks. Watch for rock cairns marking the trail.
The trail loop between Pauline and Nigh Lakes has some of the largest exposed boulders known anywhere in this area, as well as some old growth"giant" Red and White Pines. The section of trail around Astrid Lake is of more gentle terrain with views of the lake from all around the south side. The trail then meets the portage which takes you to Forest Road 200.
Location: The Astrid Lake Trails are located approximately 50 miles northeast of Cook, Minnesota, and approximately 38 miles northwest of Ely, Minnesota. There are two access points.
Got Pictures of Fall Colors here in Ely?
Email Bert or Drew today with your fall Boundary Waters trip pictures and fall colors shots.
New Trip from Worldwide Paddling Adventures: Andaman Islands
Kim McCluskey and Steve Piragis are teaming up again to guide kayaking trips in some of the most fantastic places ever paddled. Join them this Winter and escape the cold.
The best white sand beaches in Asia, the azure waters of the Bay of Bengal, average temperatures from the low 70s to the high 80s, tribal drums and tropical birds in the background, and 200 species of wildlife found only in these islands – this is your winter vacation in the Andaman Islands, between India and Thailand.
The Andamans (for map, click here) are one of the world’s last undiscovered tropical paradises. Before the British first came in 1788, only aboriginal tribesmen lived on the islands. The only other occasional visitors were pirates. Later, the British used the islands as a remote prison for Indian independence fighters. Since independence, the Indian government has strictly limited all outside contact, to protect the tribes. Some tribes are still completely isolated from the outside world. As far as we know, we are the first group ever to get a permit to camp in the outer islands.
Date: January 18 - 30
Cost: 5-7 Guests $3725 , 8-10 Guests $3495
Approximate Flight cost round trip from Chicago (ORD) to Port Blair India (IXZ) $1700
Follow this link to Kim McCluskey's Website for more information.
End of the Year New Canoe Closeouts 20% OFF Canoes
These Never Been Used Canoes are all 20% OFF. They've been taking up space in our warehouse and need to find new homes.
Canoe Model
Length
Layup
Weight
Color
Was $
Save 20%
Wenonah Champlain
18'
Royalex
73 lbs
Spruce
$1399
$1119
Wenonah Champlain
18'
Royalex
73 lbs
Spruce
$1399
$1119
Wenonah Escapade (w/solo seat)
16'6"
Kevlar Core
40 lbs
Skin
$2439
$1951
Wenonah Escapade (w/solo seat)
16'6"
Kevlar Core
49 lbs
Red
$2439
$1951
Wenonah Aurora
16'
Royalex
64 lbs
Burgundy
$1229
$983
Wenonah Kingfisher
16'
Royalex
41 lbs
Skin
$1329
$1063
Wenonah Heron
15'
Kevlar Core
34 lbs
Skin
$2199
$1759
Wenonah Encounter
17'
Kevlar Core
38 lbs
Skin
$2199
$1759
Wenonah Prism
16'6"
Kevlar Core
36 lbs
Skin
$2449
$1959
Wenonah Vagabond
14'6"
Royalex
43 lbs
Red
$999
$799
Bell Northwind
17'6"
Royalex
62 lbs
Green
$1319
$1055
Bell Seliga
17'
KevLight
44 lbs
Lightening Tech
$2799
$2239
Bell Yellowstone
15'6"
Royalex
59 lbs
Olive
$1315
$1052
Bell Yellowstone Solo
14'
KevLight
29 lbs
Lightening Tech
$2075
$1660
Please feel free to call 1-800-223-6565 or e-mail us with questions and ask for our boat specialist, Steve Schon.
USED Outfitting Gear from the 2008 Season at great prices!
Now is your chance to get the best deal of the year on gear. Canoe camping gear that has been used by Boundary Waters trippers and experienced one season in the Boundary Waters and Quetico Park is now on sale.
Our new catalog is out and each newsletter we'll feature a new item for this fall and winter season.
Sunburst Paddle blends state-of-the-art with artistic craftsmanship.
Combining years of craftsmanship with state-of-the-art composite technology, Bending Branches has designed the new Sunburst to be a dream to use. Carbon Fiber shaft and hardwood laminate blade. Cover more miles with less fatigue.
Fashion follows function in these exquisite paddles. They're easier on the eyes and on the water. Fellow paddlers are certain to take notice as you glide across the lake or head out on a day trip. From tip to grip this paddle is designed with the canoe elitist in mind.
Features:
Weight: 15 oz only
Bent Shaft
Sizes: 48, 50, 52, 54
T-700 Carbon
Contour palm grip
