So I'm kinda liking the look of the Stuart lake EP and just shooting straight for Iron to base-camp. My group mates are all <32 and we single portage so fast people mistake us for blurry bigfoot carrying canoes. What are the portages like on this route? I know there's a LOT of portaging. Also, what is Stuart river like? I've been on Nina moose river going into agnes, I imagine it's just like that?

Stewart river is similar to nina moose- maybe a bit more swampy. The portage is long, but not as long as Angleworm. It is fairly flat. Iron is popular, though, with people being boated across Lacroix to basecamp there. No doubt you'd have any trouble getting to Iron in a day, but IMO it would be worth it to at least stay a night or two on Stewart. Great lake.

quote muddyfeet: "Stewart river is similar to nina moose- maybe a bit more swampy. The portage is long, but not as long as Angleworm. It is fairly flat. Iron is popular, though, with people being boated across Lacroix to basecamp there. No doubt you'd have any trouble getting to Iron in a day, but IMO it would be worth it to at least stay a night or two on Stewart. Great lake. "

THAT'S where those boats were hauling ass too on LLC when we were out that way! Ha. We saw tons of boats blasting that way and back up. Iron must be really busy?

Iron can be busy. But you'd be surprised sometimes. Kind of hit and miss in my experience. Early and late season trips usually work out well. Nice lake!

Stuart Lake is a great lake. Certainly less traffic than Iron. The portage from the parking lot to Stuart River is long but mostly down hill. There is at least one beaver damn on the river but easily crossed. Depending on the time of year, the lower portion of the river can get low. This is the last stretch before the portage into the lake. Iron receives a lot of traffic especially around Rebecca Falls so be prepared to see lots of people.

muddy portage access on stuart river. the portage is long but easy.

A lot will depend on water levels on Stuart River as the paddling is similar to Little Indian Sioux with a winding route to get to Stuart Lake. There's some beaver dams to cross along the way. If you're single portaging and get an early start you should make it to Iron. Like others have said Stuart Lake is a nice lake to stay on for a night.

IF you got the moxy- Stuart River entry to Iron is quicker then Nina Moose entry and less wind issues. Done it 6 times and the Nina Moose way three times (to Iron). If you have the single portaging down- much prefer the Stew. If not-- take 2 days and go Nina Moose. As stated, if you don't make Iron (from Stew River) for whatever reason -- the Stew River -- Stuart Lake and Fox and Rush allow some back up plans if needed. The same works on the way out as Stuart is a wonderful (see the roses) Lake when issues arise.

I did this route in June. Awesome. We stopped on Stuart for a night, but we could have easily made it to Iron in less than 7-8 hours. The first portage is long but flat and easy with one creek crossing (it was a raging torrent for us as water was very high). The only other tough portage is Stuart-Fox. It’s about a mile of winding and swampy mess, but the rest of the way is a breeze. Lots of good campsites on Iron and great fishing. I’m sure you know all of this. Single portaging, I’m guessing you could make it to Stuart in 2-3 hours and Iron in 4-5. I second the idea of spending a day on Stuart, the fishing is great and it’s gorgeous. The portage to the Dahlgren river is one of the coolest old growth pine spots in the whole BWCA. Definitely worth the side trip.

I second WW's comments -- getting to Iron in one day is very doable from the Stuart entry if you're fit and not packed too heavily. The first portage is easy for a long one, and nothing else after that is especially tricky, either.

quote anthonyp007: "I did this route in June. Awesome. We stopped on Stuart for a night, but we could have easily made it to Iron in less than 7-8 hours. The first portage is long but flat and easy with one creek crossing (it was a raging torrent for us as water was very high). The only other tough portage is Stuart-Fox. It’s about a mile of winding and swampy mess, but the rest of the way is a breeze. Lots of good campsites on Iron and great fishing. I’m sure you know all of this. Single portaging, I’m guessing you could make it to Stuart in 2-3 hours and Iron in 4-5. I second the idea of spending a day on Stuart, the fishing is great and it’s gorgeous. The portage to the Dahlgren river is one of the coolest old growth pine spots in the whole BWCA. Definitely worth the side trip. "

I cant add much regarding Stuart to Iron but I second that the portage to the Dahlgren is one of the most beautiful portages Ive been on. There's a beach Stuart side that you could pull canoes up and just go for a walk.

I can't add much more to what has already been said about using the Stuart entry to get to Iron Lake but Iron is a busy lake and the campsites go fast. My recommendation is to get there EARLY to find a good campsite. It fills up fast.

Suggest you stop on Stuart for the first night on one of the 5 star sites available then push on early the next day to get to Iron early to snag a nice site. I recommend the island site on the south end at the mouth of Peterson Bay. The fishing on Iron has always been great for our group and Stuart is good for Walleye however there are not that many SMB on Stuart.

Thanks for all the good posts! I'm really stoked about doing Stuart lake this next year. Looking at pics and from the sound of it, it's a great entry point and we're gonna really enjoy it. Can't wait to see the portage at dahlgreen