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ScottMacFish	01/25/2018 11:26AM   Hello Last year my 12 year old daughter and I enjoyed a super trip the 3rd week of May going in on entry point 68 McFarland Lake, then into Pine and a very lengthy uphill wet portage into West Pine Lake and into some smaller lakes. In looking at the map and considering other options there is entry point 69 and the mention of Little John Lake which I do not see, I do see John Lake but no portage into it. It looks to me that going through John Lake to get to West Pine is an easier route. Just wondering if anyone has used entry point 69 and can offer information on getting to John Lake Looking forward to this years trip just working to avoid the monster portage out of Pine Lake if I can Thanks for any help!
treehorn	01/25/2018 11:49AM   Some lakes disappear when looking at these online ones. Switch your view from topographic to usgs topographic and viola, Little John Lake will appear. It can be annoying. If you're targeting West Pike lake, the quickest/easiest way there is probably from the Clearwater entry (62)...get the tow across Clearwater right to the portage to West Pike. Clearwater Lake outfitter is right at that EP too.
inspector13	01/25/2018 12:02PM   ScottMacFish: "In looking at the map and considering other options there is entry point 69 and the mention of Little John Lake which I do not see, I do see John Lake but no portage into it. It looks to me that going through John Lake to get to West Pine is an easier route. " Little John Lake is that small body of water between McFarland and John Lakes. It is outside the boundary of the BWCAW which starts at John Lake. There is no portaging if you put in at Little John since it is connected to John Lake by a very slow moving stream. And I think you may be referring to West Pike, not West Pine.
butthead	01/25/2018 12:20PM   69 John Lake "Entrance Description Method of travel is paddle. Access from Little John Lake with a 10-rod portage to John Lake." 70 North Fowl Lake "Entrance Description Method of travel is paddle. Access from Little John, down the Royal River with an 88-rod and a 160-rod portage to get to North Fowl Lake. Border lake between U.S. and Canada." 68 Pine Lake "Entrance Description Method of travel is paddle. Access through McFarland Lake with a 2-rod portage." Each EP has a different Lake to start at as required by the permit. If you are heading to West Pike first use EP69. Have looped thru Pikes and Pine past the EP lot but not sure if all 3 EP's share the lot. Little John is north of the road bridge separating McFarland from the Johns. butthead
ScottMacFish	01/25/2018 12:43PM   Thanks for the reply I appreciate it - will consider EP 62 - thanks again treehorn: "Some lakes disappear when looking at these online ones. Switch your view from topographic to usgs topographic and viola, Little John Lake will appear. It can be annoying. If you're targeting West Pike lake, the quickest/easiest way there is probably from the Clearwater entry (62)...get the tow across Clearwater right to the portage to West Pike. Clearwater Lake outfitter is right at that EP too."
ScottMacFish	01/25/2018 12:46PM   Thanks fr the note back and yes West Pike The stream you mentioned, it is too small to navigate by canoe? inspector13: "ScottMacFish: "In looking at the map and considering other options there is entry point 69 and the mention of Little John Lake which I do not see, I do see John Lake but no portage into it. It looks to me that going through John Lake to get to West Pine is an easier route. " Little John Lake is that small body of water between McFarland and John Lakes. It is outside the boundary of the BWCAW which starts at John Lake. There is no portaging if you put in at Little John since it is connected to John Lake by a very slow moving stream. And I think you may be referring to West Pike, not West Pine. "
ScottMacFish	01/25/2018 12:49PM   Thanks, I did review the EP notes but it has been pointed out to me I was using the wrong map form to see Little John - your note was helpful Thanks again! inspector13: "ScottMacFish: "In looking at the map and considering other options there is entry point 69 and the mention of Little John Lake which I do not see, I do see John Lake but no portage into it. It looks to me that going through John Lake to get to West Pine is an easier route. " Little John Lake is that small body of water between McFarland and John Lakes. It is outside the boundary of the BWCAW which starts at John Lake. There is no portaging if you put in at Little John since it is connected to John Lake by a very slow moving stream. And I think you may be referring to West Pike, not West Pine. "
inspector13	01/25/2018 12:59PM   ScottMacFish: "The stream you mentioned, it is too small to navigate by canoe?" It is at least 30ft wide. I don’t know how shallow it gets with low water conditions.
butthead	01/25/2018 01:16PM   2009 Sept. looking north at the passage from Little John to John Lake, paddle thru. The view south to bridge separating Little John and McFarland, another paddle thru at the time. About 5 minutes between the photos. butthead
bposteve	01/25/2018 01:30PM   inspector13: "ScottMacFish: "The stream you mentioned, it is too small to navigate by canoe?" It is at least 30ft wide. I don’t know how shallow it gets with low water conditions. " My grandpa used to bring me here every year from the time I was 3 until I was about 12. I've also been back through with my own kids. I've seen a lot of fluctuation in water levels over those visits but have never seen it so low that you couldn't canoe through. There is a portage there that could be used, but there's really no reason to use it.
ScottMacFish	01/25/2018 08:30PM   Thanks answers that question!
ScottMacFish	01/25/2018 09:02PM   Thanks again for the info I do appreciate it! bposteve: "inspector13: "ScottMacFish: "The stream you mentioned, it is too small to navigate by canoe?" It is at least 30ft wide. I don’t know how shallow it gets with low water conditions. " My grandpa used to bring me here every year from the time I was 3 until I was about 12. I've also been back through with my own kids. I've seen a lot of fluctuation in water levels over those visits but have never seen it so low that you couldn't canoe through. There is a portage there that could be used, but there's really no reason to use it. "
HighnDry	01/25/2018 06:33PM   treehorn: "Some lakes disappear when looking at these online ones. Switch your view from topographic to usgs topographic and viola, Little John Lake will appear. It can be annoying. If you're targeting West Pike lake, the quickest/easiest way there is probably from the Clearwater entry (62)...get the tow across Clearwater right to the portage to West Pike. Clearwater Lake outfitter is right at that EP too." It's a good place to eat breakfast as well in the morning!