Planning a trip to Iron in early June from entry point #19 at Stuart River. Looking for intel from others who have taken that route; how long did it take, best campsites on Iron, etc. or is entry point #16 at Moose River North a better (faster) route? Any help would be appreciated.

Been to Iron both ways eight times or so (and several other times doing the border route). In the beginning (when longer portages scared us away) we used #16 and it took us a nearly a full day-- slightly longer than going in #19.

Now #19 is has longer portages that you simply cannot afford to double portage if you want to make Iron in one day but the chances of being winded out are less than #16. In #19, getting to Iron is 8-9 hours if you’re efficient portaging and strong paddlers.

As far as best campsites on Iron, pull up the map on here and do a search. In a nutshell - #16 is easier, not faster, to Iron compared to a #19 entry IMO. When going to Iron, I use #19 now instead of #16. Fewer people. And if you can, take the time it to smell some of the roses of the hidden gems along the Stuart River into Iron. Both fishing, wildlife and seclusion can be superb.

Thanks WhiteWolf,

Exactly the kind of info we're looking for.

Right on, WW. Couldn't agree more. Though, I am not in such a hurry and don't like the longer portages. #16 is for me.

A word of warning about Iron Lake. It is a popular lake, for many, it is a destination lake and campsites can be hard to come by later in the day.

I have been tempted to try to make Iron in 1 day but have always laid up short and then got to Iron early the second day just about some of the sites open up.

Good luck,

UPBoy

Fastest would be a tow from Crane Lake. It adds cost but a really, really fun boat ride and one portage your on Iron. The campsite closest to Curtain falls looks nice and the one West of that one on the island is nice too.

Matt

A funny thing about Matt's post above--

Several years ago on MN Voyageur Challenge with Beav,myself and another person we saw what was unmistakingly, numerous high heel shoe prints in the mud at the end of the Bottle Portage coming from LLC..... I wonder how that trip turned out..... :O)

I told them knee highs not high heels! I think I read about someone coming across a bride in a wedding dress on a portage.....maybe you saw her foot prints.....