Does any one have any current conditions of the portages and campsites along the loop that starts at Skipper lake west through Long Island lake, then back east to Meeds lake and out (I can give a complete list of lakes if needed). We will be traveling that route hitting the water on Saturday Aug 12th. This should will be a more difficult trip for my tripping partner and I. I can't wait to get up the Gunflint and hopefully see some moose on this trip.

I can't give current conditions for any of it, but may have some helpful information if you are going west through Rush and Banadad, then returning from Long Island via Muskeg, Kiskadinna, Omega, and Henson.

In 2012 I entered at Cross Bay and went east from Long Island through Muskeg, Kiskadinna, Omega, Henson, Allen, and Horseshoe to exit at Lizz to Poplar.

Trip Report

Pictures see 2012 album.

You'll be happy to know I did see a moose, even got a picture, on Muskeg Creek just after the portage from Long Island. I stayed at the campsite next to that portage on Long Island.

That portage was a boulder field and the Muskeg Creek end was flooded out. Be quiet as you approach the Muskeg Creek end keep your eyes open.

The Muskeg-Kiskadinna portage is moderately long and has a very steep climb (known as "The Wall"). The next one to Omega is short but has an awkward narrow climb to begin.

Pack light and be careful on those portages. It was a very nice area, although a couple of tough portages. I think you have a long tough day to get to Long Island, too. I think Kendra did that trip not real long ago and posted a trip report, so you might check for that under the Planning tab under EP #49 trip reports for information on the first part.

I hope you have a good trip.

Thanks for the info, and I absolutely love your pictures. Sounds like a great trip and I cant wait to go.

You will enjoy it - just pack light and resist the temptation to take extra stuff. Besides the moose I saw on Muskeg, it was during moose season and some hunters had shot one off of Pillsbury. People often see them on Horseshoe Lake, so if you have extra time, you could swing through there and exit through Lizz to Poplar. Good luck, I hope you have a good trip and will be interested to hear how it goes for you.

My wife and I are planning a similar trip September 16-23 EP 49 staying on Banadad one night three nights on Long lake Omega one night then either Winchell or Gaskin then out Meads. Really nice area did a trip two years ago only we went down through Cherokee, Temperance, Brule and out Lizz in four days we are going to slow it down a little and do more site seeing this time.