I was just looking at the map for ep 62 it looks like south Clearwater takes you to portage anywhere to park over there to avoid crossing a cold lake?

Not sure I understand. Unless you are looking at some dotted lines some maps have marking winter trails. Otherwise ep 62 is a watery entrance. So, I don't think there would be parking on south side of lake.

The South Clearwater Road is all private......no public parking. The public lot is at the end of the Clearwater road by the boat launch ramp.

South Clearwater Road follows the far southwest edge of the lake and passes a few private homes. I did not check into it, but I don't think there is parking at that area. The portage starts where the yellow line is, across the bay on the east side.

At the far west of the lake is Clearwater Lodge. If you stay in a bunkhouse the night before they let you park there also. We have done that twice now. You can also pick up your permit there, and get breakfast.

If you follow Clearwater Road along the northwest edge past the lodge I believe there is a boat ramp and parking. You can see it when you're on the water- I did not actually go over to it.

Ok I see it now was just using Google satellite and looked like a road almost to the first portage.

What is the portage like from Clearwater to Caribou? Is it possible to use a canoe cart with wheels or is it to rocky, muddy, and rough? We are headed there at the end of June 2017. Any information about the portage would be helpful.

Usually fairly muddy in June. Even if partially dry - very rocky for the first 3rd. I don't think a portage wheel will be efficient.

quote Rgallwitz: "What is the portage like from Clearwater to Caribou? Is it possible to use a canoe cart with wheels or is it to rocky, muddy, and rough? We are headed there at the end of June 2017. Any information about the portage would be helpful."

"Portage Wheels
Mechanical assistance is only permitted over the following: International Boundary, Four-Mile Portage, Fall-Newton-Pipestone and Back Bay Portages into Basswood Lake, Prairie Portage, Vermilion-Trout Lake Portage." quote from BWCA regulations. No wheels.

EP parking is on the north shore, 1/2 mile paddle southeast to the Caribou portage. 2/3rds of portage south is fairly flat, last 1/3rd descends to Caribou.
A couple of trails intersect the portage trail.



butthead

Rocky over parts of the trail. Can have mud covered by several inches of water, depending on time of year and weather, especially on the 2 ends of the trail. Just adds to the fun!