I have a question for those that have made the Treck or have studied this route. What would be the best route to take to West Pike on snowshoes/hiking ? Im on paddle planner and it almost looks like it would be better to go through Caribou Lake and then head north back into the eastern part of Clearwater and then catch the Portage to West Pike rather than just hike straight east to West Pike from Clearwater ? Any opinions ? If you get some decent travel conditions and not much snow/slush how long of a hike is it from the west end of Clearwater to the middle of West Pike ?

Going down the Length of Clearwater would be the Fastest. The portage from Caribou to Clearwater has quite a elevation change.

quote DanCooke: "Going down the Length of Clearwater would be the Fastest. The portage from Caribou to Clearwater has quite a elevation change."

From Clearwater to West Pike is a easy route as long as the lakes are slush free.
Been on West pike and observed little sign of people coming in from Clearwater.But I know they do.

Also I know people come in from East pike lake,I know and seen sled dogs come from that way.

Also, there usually has been an ice road plowed down some of the length of Clearwater in years past. That will also help with crossing.

the most difficult part is the road from Gunlint Trail it can be icy and with the roller coaster like elevation changes and turns, it can be quite difficult

coming in from the east the road is better traveled and not nearly as bad, although longer

that plowed road on the lake only goes to the BWCA border, IOW, not very far

Spook has a point about the Clearwater Road. I have taken this road as far as the Clearwater Lodge multiple times in the winter and under favorable conditions I had no trouble even though I drive a low clearance 2wd hatchback. I'll admit that its nerve wracking and I feel much better when the Gunflint trail comes back into sight. Cannot remember what the road is like beyond Clearwater Lodge.

That being said I think Bill (wvevans) has a 4wd truck and should be alright as long as he's not in too much of a hurry to catch fish;)

Rich

You will have no problem up to the public access unless you get a big storm. The lake gets fished hard for lake trout in the winter,especially the part outside the BWCA and than by the boulder cliffs. The access can sometimes get crowded,it has limited parking space.

Thanks guys. Hearing what Pine tree had to say I want your opinions. This will be a Monday through Friday camping trip and I want what everyone else is looking for. The most seclusion possible combined with the best chance to catch some fish with the least distance covered. Ill be solo and prolly shouldn't be more than a half of day from the truck. Along with west pike the other thought I had was also hiking up to Partridge. This will be 10 days after opener so boundary lakes are out. I have some inlaws that have been fishing partridge for years on the ice and they were telling me the size of trout have been getting smaller for what ever reason the last few years. I cant decide. Rich. Maybe you should just come with and we can really put some miles on.! I still owe you a day trip and am having trouble breaking free.

quote PINETREE: "You will have no problem up to the public access unless you get a big storm. The lake gets fished hard for lake trout in the winter,especially the part outside the BWCA and than by the boulder cliffs. The access can sometimes get crowded,it has limited parking space. "

I have been going to this lake for 30+ years, "no problem"? true, I've never had a problem, but it could very easily turn into a problem if the road is a little glazed or in a year where the surface doesn't poke above the packed snow, it is a roller coaster ride after the resort. Getting out of the parking lot can be difficult if you do not think about where you park, it is uphill


as far as "fished hard" I cannot ever remember more than 2 other vehicles at the landing, often nobody, maybe on Saturdays it gets busy, rarely do I see other people on the lake, that being said, it doesn't take many people fishing for a lake trout lake to get "fished hard"

Thanks Zara. I actually am hoping there will be a few folks fishing Clearwater so maybe they will have a trail part way to my destination on West Pike. Its getting closer and I cant wait.