wondering if anyone has been into the following lakes, ever or recently (preferred).
Cash, Gunstock, Cleft, Jay, Ash.

we're hoping to camp on Cherokee/Town and do some exploring.

also, from Town through Vesper, Gasket, Cam, Brule, s Temperance, n Temperance to Cherokee... would you consider this a day trip that is mostly paddling in order to get the loop finished or is there time to sitesee? maybe forget the day trip and camp on one of those lakes?

we're entering cross bay (50) and headed to cherokee area for 10 days so want to have a few different sites. not having to cover a lot of territory every day. might bring one fishing rod but opener isn't until 1/2 way throught the trip.

we ARE bringing 2 saws with the idea we might the first people through some of these portages this spring.

I plan on entering through Cross Bay in Sept. and heading down to Cherokee as well. The contour lines just west of Brule on that map are pretty close together but it looks like you stay in between them instead of crossing over them. It looks like you are in a canyon from Town, through Vesper, Cam and into Brule. I have read that the portage between Sitka and Cherokee will get your heart pumping. Look forward to your trip report afterwards.

never been there but cash lake always peaked my interest.

I have been as far as Vesper from the Brule side, and it is worth a trip through there. As Northwoodsman said it follows through a canyon and there is a pretty cool scree field all the way through there on the western shoreline. It's definitely worth checking out if you have a chance.

That site on town isn't too bad. Never got off the beaten path in that area.

My son and I traveled the small lakes up to Cherokee (and beyond) from Brule along the lakes we called the "mechanic series" after "Cam" and "Gasket". The lakes are very pretty set in steep terrain and the trails are sometimes reminiscent of talus slopes. We camped on Town.

Photos: Brule-Cam portage, Cam Lake, North end of Gasket, Vesper-Town portage, and Town Lake camp

I definitely thought that series of portages was one of the tougher stretches ive done in the BWCA

quote GoSpursGo: "I definitely thought that series of portages was one of the tougher stretches ive done in the BWCA"

These portages definitely are not easy. One of the portages goes right over the Laurentian Divide, and I remember one of these having an absolute minefield of slippery rocks at one of the landings. Lugging a bunch of fisheries gear across them didn't make them any easier!

Do not go east out of Town. Even mountain goats avoid those portages. Those portages were the worst I've done. Sank it to my hip one time and another time had to scout ahead to make sure I was still on the path (boulder field). I've always wanted to go back and stay on Town ever since I passed it up years ago. No one would come from the east and everyone from the west stays on Cherokee so it should be quiet.

so your point is to avoid Cam, Gasket... or to NOT try to find Cash, gunsmoke and the other lakes i mentioned?

I would avoid Vesper, Cam, and Gasket. I never noticed the lakes to the north. I bet they never get visited so it could be great fishing. Might have to do some bushwacking. Dang it, now I really wanna go up there. I should clarify that it's not that those portages aren't doable, I just wouldn't seek them out. I was also solo and I passed the site on Town right away and didn't find an open sight until 10 hours later so those portages were the start of a very long day. If you are just day tripping it should be fine.
Have fun and let us know if you make to the other lakes.

I went from Brule to Town via Cam and Gasket years ago. It is a really beautiful area. I don't remember the portages being too bad but I was 21. Last summer I sent one of our groups through there. They liked those lakes and didn't have any complaints about the portages.

I just looked at my old map and it doesn't show any portages heading north outta Town.?? I bought the map 10 years ago? Maybe. Looks like there is a creek though and this website shows portages so who knows.

I read a little negative vibes on the portages. Hey, they are just portages. Some hurt more than others and the series of portages from Brule on Cam, Gasket, Vesper, Town will cause you to say a few discouraging words. However, I would not discourage anyone to take a look at the land.

The hills are beautiful and the little lakes very pretty. I guess if you are in a hurry to go from point A to point B stay away from paths less followed.

I've been into Jay, cleft and gunstock once. There is a route in there just not marked on a map.
Neat little chain of lakes to explore. Maybe contact Clare at Sawbill and ask her or her dad Bill. The Hansens were the ones who told me that it was possible to get in there, I know their family use to hunt grouse in there in the fall.

Well said, HighPlainsDrifter. They're tougher portages, but it is really a picturesque route to check out if you have the chance to.

heard back from Bill at Sawbill. his message was not what i wanted to hear, but we plan to check things out anyway. will be back in 2 weeks.

Im not sure if you are planning on fishing on this route but I didnt catch a fish in Cherokee (Im not awesome but usually do pretty well in the BW fihsing) on our day and a half there a couple years back and groups we send that way report terrible fishing. Is this others findings as well? Ive heard Pike are the main fish and they can be picky or crazy on fire. Some of the smaller lakes around (temperances) provided a couple.

Not sure if you were planning on fishing or not but thought i would throw this out.

Has anyone done well on Cherokee?

Im not sure if you are planning on fishing on this route but I didnt catch a fish in Cherokee (Im not awesome but usually do pretty well in the BW fihsing) on our day and a half there a couple years back and groups we send that way report terrible fishing. Is this others findings as well? Ive heard Pike are the main fish and they can be picky or crazy on fire. Some of the smaller lakes around (temperances) provided a couple.

Not sure if you were planning on fishing or not but thought i would throw this out.

Has anyone done well on Cherokee?

I've been to Cash twice. I never caught a fish either time. I am however, the worlds worst fisherman. I looked for the old portage trail shown on my 1952 maps that at one time appear to have gone all the way to Long Is. Lake. I couldn't find the trail though it should be on the very edge of the burn. I might have tried bushwhacking if I hadn't been an old man alone. I also looked for the old port. on the Long Is. Lake end. I didn't find that either. I almost always find that lakes off the beaten path have few fish. If the fishing was great word would get out and the path would get worn. As far as going down through Cam etc., by all means do it. Sure it's a little bumpy under foot but at least you can say you've seen it. Oh and the port. from Town to Cash isn't too bad once you find it. If I recall it's south of the creek 50 yards or so(its been a few years)

I've been to Cash twice. I never caught a fish either time. I am however, the worlds worst fisherman. I looked for the old portage trail shown on my 1952 maps that at one time appear to have gone all the way to Long Is. Lake. I couldn't find the trail though it should be on the very edge of the burn. I might have tried bushwhacking if I hadn't been an old man alone. I also looked for the old port. on the Long Is. Lake end. I didn't find that either. I almost always find that lakes off the beaten path have few fish. If the fishing was great word would get out and the path would get worn. As far as going down through Cam etc., by all means do it. Sure it's a little bumpy under foot but at least you can say you've seen it. Oh and the port. from Town to Cash isn't too bad once you find it. If I recall it's south of the creek 50 yards or so(its been a few years)

quote GoSpursGo: "I definitely thought that series of portages was one of the tougher stretches ive done in the BWCA"

Agree