Has anybody stayed or checked out PCD campsite VD on Side Lake? I am thinking about going through there on our way up north. I did this route a couple of years ago and stayed at PCD campsite VT the first night, but it was less than desirable. We fished a little bit on that unnamed lake and the unnamed lake just north of VT on the east side of Side Lake without any success. We caught several lakers on our way through Side Lake last time, and I thought it might be better than VT on the unnamed lake. It would be nice to have bacon wrapped trout fillets the first night. Unfortunately, we never stopped and checked out the campsite as we went by.

I have also been reading about the alternatives from Isabella to side via the other unnamed lakes west of Isabella and south of Side Lake. I saved a picture of Ho Ho's map of these portages. That route sounds like it is dependent on the water level, and beaver dams. Any other thoughts on which route to take from Isabella to Side?

The low and wet way from Isabella to Side works well if water levels are high. The creek you have to paddle between the 2 unnamed ponds would be very difficult in low water. We did that route last summer in May and even then we had to pull through some narrow and shallow spots. And the last portage on the wet route from unnamed to Side isn't that hard. The creek that HoHo was able to paddle up here for a while is mostly gone now as the beaver damn that created that is gone. The portage landing is pretty obvious and heads up a hill on your left and then gradually descends to Side.

The camp on Side is just "OK". Works in a pinch if you need a spot to crash, but I wouldn't make it a planned camp.

I think Kiborby is kind in his description of the campsite. I have never camped there but have checked it out a couple of time over the years. All I can say is I think it scores a 2 on a scale of 1-10. The only thing that can be said for it is you will likely have the lake to yourself. With all the other nice sites on nearby lakes I would suggest pushing on to a nicer spot.