Hello.

My group of 5-7 (never quite know for sure until closer to the date) is looking to go in at EP 38 in mid July.

Generally we just do a 3-night basecamping trip. In and out at same EP. We're not opposed to moving sites/lakes one or possibly even 2 nights, but for the most part it's leisurely.

We'll travel 3,4,5,6 hours on the way in and way out to get off the EP lakes, no problem. So, with that said, looking at Sawbill area, we have options to the west (Alton to Beth/Ella/Grace/Phoebe) and options to the east (Smoke/Burnt/Flame). I could be convinced to stay right on Sawbill as well if someone told me the northern part of that lake has everything we're looking for.

We do like to fish, but are not die hard about it...meaning if we don't do well it won't be a busted trip and we're not targeting one particular species. Catching fish is definitely a bonus though.

We like a good large campsite whenever possible. It just makes the trip better when you've got some space and a comfortable place to hang out with a view of the lake or something, especially since we usually spend the whole trip at one spot.

It's always nice to elude crowds as well...I love you all, but the less of you I see when I'm up there the better!

So, any thoughts on which direction we should go from Sawbill or which lake(s) we might want to think about targeting?

Beth, Grace or Phoebe to the west. How about the Lady Lake Chain beginning at Kawishiwi and ending at Sawbill? Or consider heading up to Cherokee to basecamp. It can be accessed from several EP's but it's about 6 hours in from any of them. Beautiful lake. Fishing is okay at best, some day trip possibilities or even a loop back down through the Temperance lakes and Burnt & Smoke. Sawbill EP is one of my favorites. They have a wonderful campground to stay at prior to an early morning start.

For basecamping ......Staying at a site at north end of Sawbill Lake is a nice idea. It's a long skinny lake and doesn't look crowded even when its sites are full. Weekenders have a like-minded notion so have a backup plan for those few days.
I suggest Cherokee Lake and back. Seems I always suggest that one. It's such a picturesque lake with nice sites for a group. Fishing is not a strong point but some anglers are successful. Not a crowded lake or route before July 4th holiday.

A trip from Sawbill to Grace is a good distance. Easy to do in 1 day, but I would personally prefer to spend more than 1 day there after the effort it took us. My first trip we went from Sawbill to Phoebe stayed there one day then back out. Back out was bad with storms and wind against us plus a long drive to get home afterward. I got home after 1 AM. Never working that hard for only 1 day again.

You say you basecamp for 3 nights so that would make the trip worthwhile, just know that the way out will be tough. Maybe I'm exaggerating because I was soaked, walking in puddles calf deep, had bad/heavy gear, and a little hung over, but it was work. I do not recommend camping on Phoebe if you are base camping, staying on Grace is more reasonable. 1st night on Phoebe then moving to Grace is not a bad idea though. 1 full day on each would be my choice. They are beautiful lakes.

Smoke lake site 921 is a large site with plenty of tent/hammock options, could day trip to Burnt for excellent walleye fishing,or go to Flame for northerns. Flame is small but beautiful and only 1 camp site. You have a lot of options going out of sawbill

treehorn: "Hello.

My group of 5-7 (never quite know for sure until closer to the date) is looking to go in at EP 38 in mid July..."

You could get info at www.sawbill.com
Sorry if I'm Captain Obvious, but the outfitter has a lot of info about Sawbill.