Heading into Sawbill with permit for 7/6 entry arriving that area late morning or early afternoon. Unless something changes I anticipate having more privacy heading up to Wine and base there Friday and Saturday coming out Sunday. I am hoping to get the island site on Wine and day trip in the area. An option would be to loop on around through Mesaba and back out.
My post is to thank all of you have posted trip reports and comments on the maps feature. It helps so much in planning. And to ask if anyone has current information to add or thoughts on base camp vs. do the loop. I do not fish but will be taking my good camera with intent to get some pictures I can hang on the wall at home. My research indicates the area has a lot of photo potential.
Thanks.

stayed on Wine 6/4-6/6....on the island site. Saw the Kelso Dolmen on the way into Wine. The 460 we did in 1 hour 45 minues....leapfrogging. Flooded beaver channel in the middle...STAY ON THE BOARDWALK. Day tripped up to Mug to see the waterfall. Can't speak on the Mesaba loop, we went up to Poe on 6/6 and headed west on the Louse.

also, if you do make a loop, the 105 between Louse and Bug is very flooded in the middle. You have to cross a 6-7 foot beaver dam in the middle to find the trail again. I've also read that the Chaser to Dent to Bug portages aren't much more than moose trails....very overgrown.

That is a beautiful area! If the mosquitoes are not too bad keep an out in the mornings and evenings for moose, there is some pretty good habitat in that area.