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tonyj
member (18)member
  
05/12/2017 02:05PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I've read several older threads and trip reports, but haven't seen anything from the last few years. Has anybody been on the Beartrap River recently? I know it's a challenging task and water level dependent, especially south of Sunday Lake. Our entry is for Mudro July 15th, and I've been in the area so I know there are plenty of other options if it seems to be more trouble than it's worth. Sure appreciate any input.
 
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muddyfeet
distinguished member(742)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
05/12/2017 08:01PM  
I did it this past September. The portages were easy to find, and there was plenty of water. We didn't see another soul back there, but it seemed to be a moderately traveled route. Real beautiful coming into the Peterson bay area on iron lake.
tonyj
member (18)member
  
05/14/2017 08:13AM  
Thanks a bunch for that info. It's good to know that it's doable even in September. If I HAD to pick a favorite lake, it would be Iron, but we'd like to go there and not have to double back into Crooked. Tentatively, I think we'll go Horse River to Crooked, Iron, get an early start on the Beartrap River and then work our way into Beartrap, Thunder, Gull, Gun Lake and stop at whichever one yields a nice campsite.
05/14/2017 02:25PM  
same exact trip that we made about 5 years ago, we caught walleyes from shore at every campsite that we camped at it was great.
05/14/2017 04:19PM  
We did a similar route; came to iron from bottle, then went out up the bear trap and finally mudro. End of May into June water levels woere OK.
Seems like below Sunday got a bit iffy looking in a couple spots if I remember right. One in our group lobbied to turn around and go back out iron but got outvoted and all said and done......out mudro to was cool. I really liked that trip. It was 3 or 4 yrs ago. Good variety good scenery. Not much traffic in middle of that route.
DANRULZ
Guest Paddler
  
06/19/2017 07:50PM  
Planning to head in to the Beartrap River on the 4th of July this year. Starting at South Hegman, up to Beartrap, Iron, Lac La Croix (day trip), Crooked, Horse River, Mudro/Nels with a 2 mile hike back to S. Heg. I'll try to post when I get back on water levels, dams, portages, et cetera by about the 10th. Good luck if you don't hear from me.

From all I've read, the south half of the river is a small mess of beaver dams (new and washed out) and oxbows. The north half is supposed to be quite a bit easier, but keep in mind, nobody but us crazy folk have maintained these portages in some time now. I have a good feeling about this adventure, and it seems well traveled enough to be a realistic goal. Have a really great trip!
tonyj
member (18)member
  
06/20/2017 07:31PM  
Yeah that's about what I'm planning on...lots of lift overs and some rough stuff. Definitely going to get an early start...hope for the best and plan for the worst. I've got a good crew though so that makes me feel good about it. Sure would appreciate hearing anything about your trip. That sounds like a great route you've got, and many parts not all that well traveled. Best of luck!
Guest
Guest Paddler
  
06/21/2017 06:53AM  
I just complete a route the end of May which included the Beartrap river. We entered Mudro, up the Horse River and Basswood River, across Crooked and Iron, then down the Beartrap river, Beartrap, Thunder, Gull, Gun, Boot, Fourtown, Mudro. Water levels were high and portages were easily found on the Beartrap. We had a PMA permit for Sunday Lake, but elected to go from Iron to Thunder in one day - It was a long day but doable. The upper part between Iron and Sunday was pretty easy with 4 portages that were all marked on my map. The southern half from Sunday to Beartrap only showed 3 portages on my map, but I think there were about 7 before turning toward Beartrap lake. I think most people take the 200 Rod that goes straight east/west from the Bear Trap river to Beartrap lake. We elected to follow the water as far as we could toward Beartrap Lake for some adventure - It ended up being 4 shorter portages that probably equate to +200 Rod and they were very difficult! If I were to do it again, I'd just do the 200R.
Snosaj
member (19)member
  
06/22/2017 04:42PM  
We're putting in on Mudro that same day, maybe we'll see you out there. I'm taking my wife to the BW for her first trip. We'll be in a barge of a canoe (square stern aluminum). We'll be basecamping on Boot, Fairy or Gun. Good luck and have a blast!
DANRULZ
  
07/10/2017 09:06PM  
Hey, I made a Trip Report, but I'm not savvy enough to link it. In Trip Reports, you can look up Pictograph Loop. My trip should show up. Beartrap River stuff is on there. I hope you go through with it. It's a good time!
tonyj
member (18)member
  
07/11/2017 12:09PM  
Wow there is a ton of helpful info there. Fun read too! I'm leaning towards skipping the PMA permit, confident we'll get from Iron to Beartrap/Thunder/Gull area with the high water. We'll get an early start, but knowing what to expect is huge.
Thanks for the report. Glad you had a great time!
DANRULZ
  
07/11/2017 02:18PM  
My experience with the Beartrap River is only one subjective account to this area. Another party could have a totally different experience. Especially if you're beginning at the North end of the River.

Something worth mention is the 2 sections of rapids on the southern portion of the River (marked on current Fisher and McKenzie maps as R and R). I have read more than once that the portage is 160 rods and portages both rapids. I never saw the full trail, but it is very possible it exists. The traffic through that section THIS YEAR (07/2017) was clearly broken into 2 smaller portages. I felt like there was at least 100 rods between rapids, which would make the single portage about 200 rods.

If anyone knows how to link any Beartrap River/Sundial PMA trip reports to this thread, that could be helpful to others. I would, but I am not very familiar with the how-to.

Boundary Waters Journal has a nice trip report on the Beartrap Lake ~ Sterling ~ Nibon ~ Bibon ~ Stewart Route if anyone has access to back issues. Winter 2009 issue.
04/16/2018 10:03PM  
DANRULZ: "My experience with the Beartrap River is only one subjective account to this area. Another party could have a totally different experience. Especially if you're beginning at the North end of the River.


Something worth mention is the 2 sections of rapids on the southern portion of the River (marked on current Fisher and McKenzie maps as R and R). I have read more than once that the portage is 160 rods and portages both rapids. I never saw the full trail, but it is very possible it exists. The traffic through that section THIS YEAR (07/2017) was clearly broken into 2 smaller portages. I felt like there was at least 100 rods between rapids, which would make the single portage about 200 rods.


If anyone knows how to link any Beartrap River/Sundial PMA trip reports to this thread, that could be helpful to others. I would, but I am not very familiar with the how-to.


Boundary Waters Journal has a nice trip report on the Beartrap Lake ~ Sterling ~ Nibon ~ Bibon ~ Stewart Route if anyone has access to back issues. Winter 2009 issue.
"


Old thread but I was doing research and came across it. I did the Beartrap last summer and found the 160 rod portage mentioned above. Someone had definitely brushed it back so that I could pass. However it was growing back in. A few blowdowns, two mudholes and rocky section highlights this portage. I don't remember much about the second rapids portage except that it was of the same variety of the 160-r but shorter. All in all, the entire river trip from Iron through Sunday (fighting through the reeds at the southern end) to Beartrap lake was about 8 hours. FYI, there are four portages to Beartrap L. from the split with the main north-south flow. They seemed to be separated from by anywhere from 15 min. to 30min paddle-time.
tombo131
distinguished member (132)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
04/17/2018 09:20AM  
Deleted my question - I see the answer above now..
04/17/2018 09:30AM  
Beartrap empties into Iron. I went in August and the current wasn't too noticeable until you reached a rapids or a falls. However, even at those points it was entirely manageable. Portages are fairly obvious by flattened grass areas or well-trodden takeouts.
04/17/2018 10:01PM  
Did the Bear Trap in 2013. Awesome trip. Went over 3 days without seeing anyone. and then 2 days on Indiana. Fishing is amazing. If putting in at Moose which is what we did, I highly recommend making the effort to get into Indiana Lake. We stayed there for 2 days and the smallmouth fishing was crazy. (see pic below) Only 2 campsites on the lake but it was ours the whole time. The portage in from the west is a bitch of an up and down but so worth it.
DontPanic
senior member (61)senior membersenior member
  
04/25/2018 02:59PM  
My group will be there in the beginning of June. Mudro to bear trap lake, bear trap to iron lake, iron lake to LLC, LLC to Nina moose lake, Nina moose to EP16. We will be making a very detailed trip report with gps locations, pictures, and videos. I will try to remember to post a link on this thread but, if I forget look for a thread in trip reports mid June. The report will be posted by myself or my brother “theBull42”.
04/28/2018 10:04PM  
That will be a great trip and I'll be looking forward to your report. You might consider picking up a PMA camping permit for Sunday just in case you meet conditions that slow you down. Sunday has that one campsite and would be a great stopover.
01/13/2020 02:35PM  
DontPanic: "My group will be there in the beginning of June. Mudro to bear trap lake, bear trap to iron lake, I will try to remember to post a link on this thread but, if I forget look for a thread in trip reports mid June. The report will be posted by myself or my brother “theBull42”. "


DontPanic how did your trip go?
 
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