Bringing my dad and his buddy, both of whom are 75+, to the BWCA this May. We'd like to head toward SAK for a basecamp and can't decide whether to go via Moose/Birch or Saganaga/Ottertrack. Any advice from those long in the tooth?

Also, any feelings on the portage from Ester to Ottertrack? We don't want to have a slip and fall, and I gather this portage is steep and often muddy.

Hiking poles can be nice on a portage and go into the canoe real easy. My wife takes one with her as her other hand is carrying her daypack. Last trip, a friend picked up a beaver stick as a hiking staff and used it all trip. Portages aren’t long but fall prevention can be a good thing.

We've done SAK several times and loved it! Fishing and sightseeing are both too notch. The only drawbacks we've faced is when it's windy you might not have many options and the decent sites go fast. I can't speak to coming in from the east side but the Moose/Birch route will get you there the fastest. If I recall there's 4 pretty short portage and then a very easy 80 rod into Knife. Once on Knife, unless your very unlucky you can let the westerly wind do most of the hard work and paddle your way toward the South Arm.

You can take a tow all the way from LaTourelles on Moose to Birch, itll put you a few short, well traveled portages away from the west end of Knife.

75 years old a tow maybe a good idea via moose chain to birch , stay on the west side of knife and take a day trip into the south arm. i've done the moose trip to the SAK(eddy falls) with no tow there are 3 long paddles there and if the wind isnt in your
favor it can be a long day .

West to East - Prevailing westerly winds and a tow up Moose is great - Nice route and if you have time drop south into Amoeber, Cherry and Topaz -

I've only done it from the East, sounds like it's the tougher way? But a tow to American Point/Hook Island area of Sag will save you several hours. Monument Portage from the Swamp Lake side can have some "Iffy" footing for those of us older folks. But I love Sag, Ottertrack, Ester, and Hanson so it's worth it to me. Funny thing is, I don't remember the portage into Ester being that bad the FIRST time I took it. The last two times, it had obviously grown steeper (LOL)! But compared to portages like Canoe to Pine, some of those around Tuscarora/Missing Link, etc, it's really not that bad. Tough, yes, but someone mentioned hiking staff? Been thinking I may bring mine for the first time this year? It would be a longish day. I usually make a short day and stay on Ester.

I am leaning toward entering from the East because of the prevailing winds. I am more concerned about having the wind at our backs on the way out. The wind cover on Ottertrack is also an advantage for the east side.

My main worry is getting in and out of the boat. That takes the most finesse/balance, although iffy footing on the portages is also no good.

My other concern is that we'd end up stuck on the west end of Knife lake. It seems a little one dimensional (please tell me I'm wrong!), although in previous years we've basically just blasted through there on our way to greener pastures.

dont plan a trip based on prevailing winds.

shock: "dont plan a trip based on prevailing winds. "

+1 everyone paddles into the wind for their whole trip anyways.