Still doing various route plans and I'd like to get everyone's thoughts on this route.

This trip would start around the middle of May. Three guys - one has never been to the BWCA before, two have. Thinking of renting a MN3 for this trip. 4 nights, with one layover day. About 6 hours of traveling a day, max, just taking it slow and easy.

I already know the biggest downside of this trip is the Horse portage around Basswood falls.

But the plus side is getting some big water, smaller lakes, and river travel, with waterfalls and pictographs as notable features. And there's a bad weather bailout loop which would be putting around on Horse and Fourtown, just in case the dates will be cold and wet.

The itinerary looks like:

Day #1: Start at EP #23 (Mudro), head to Jackfish bay, camp on Basswood just above the falls.
( 25r - Mudro - 84r - Sandpit - 11r(?) - river - 12r - river - Basswood lake (Jackfish bay) - one of the islands on the US side near Basswood falls. )

Day #2: Long portage day - Basswood lake to Basswood river near Horse river.
Basswood lake (briefly) - 361r (Horse Portage) - Basswood river - 50r? (unnamed Canadian side) - Basswood river - 49r (Wheelbarrow) - campsite by mouth of Horse River

Day #3: Layover day
Check out pictographs, lower basswood falls (few miles, 42r portage).

Day #4: Heading back towards the EP - Basswood river to Tin Can Mike.
Basswood river (briefly) - Horse river - 73r portage - Horse river - 48r portage - Horse river - 58r portage - Horse river (another possible unmarked portage) - Horse Lake - 80r - Tin Can Mike campsite.

Day #5: And home - Tin Can Mike back to EP 25.
Tin Can Mike - 137r - Sandpit - 84r - Mudro - 25r - drive home.

You are going very early, so be prepared for high water. Fishing this route at that time is challenging. However, Fourtown should be excellent . . . be prepared to bail early. If fishing isn't your thing, this route would make for great photography.

Sounds very doable, I've been through those areas a number of times and there is a lot to see. The only things I would say is, there will be motor boats on Jackfish bay, there will be quite a few people on that route unless your early start discourages them, and be extremely careful on Basswood as the wind can get BAD, and have you wind bound for days and the water temps that time of year are deadly so prepare for the possibility of dumping and stay near shore. The temps could easily dip below freezing at night and you could even have snow or ice. None of that is to discourage you, it's a great time to go,just prepare and be careful. Don't worry too much about Horse portage, it is the easiest long portage in canoe country. Just stay to the left on all intersections as there are several spur trails leading back to the river between rapids. These have been responsible for several accidents. Also, if water is really high the rivers could be a bit challenging. Have a great trip!

I like your route, done that stretch a few times and stayed just above the falls on night one on our last trip there. Don't worry about the boats on Jackfish, you'll be past them quickly if you even see any and really a NE wind is your only worry. Fish basswood lake that first night if you can. If you have high water, maybe go back the way you came so you're not paddling up the Horse river.

Yea depending on the water there's small parts of The Horse River you'll wish you where going the other way. Unless your heart is set on Basswood why not head to Crooked and back down through Gun, Boot and FourTown. It's a loop and that 300 rod portage isn't bad.

How bad is Horse river during heavy flow?

dasunt: "How bad is Horse river during heavy flow?"

Actually the river is better when it's higher. It's a slow current but, Just a couple of spots will be tough going up