Anybody have experience with this short route just south of Lake Jeannete? This river is also called Astrid Creek on some maps. (see Forest Service flyer) I'm going try this out on my test run using my Bell Northwind as a solo. I may then
rent a solo for comparison. I'm in the BWCA till 9-21-17 exploring...then doing a Quetico trip with my daughter.

I did it some 20 years ago. Entered at Astrid and camped on the east side. I remember a nice campsite with a sand beach. We paddled to Pauline. There were some hiking trails to sample too. I like that country, lots of bedrock and jack pines.

The Hunting Shack is assessable from the Echo Trail and you can paddle to Astrid Lake and Pauline Lake. I don't recall any water level issues. I spent a week on Astrid one July and never saw a soul.

Take Forest Route 200 and it will lead you to the back side of Astrid where you can park along side the road right across from an easy portage into Astrid. Paddle across to the east shore and grab the best site on the lake. They even have picnic tables! On the west side of the road is an easy portage into Maude.

Is it navigable all the way from Echo Lake?

dogwoodgirl: "Is it navigable all the way from Echo Lake?"

No, unless someone has cut some portages since I've been there last.

Summer of 2005 myself and 2 others took a small boat and 15 hp motor down that dinky creek and made it in to pauline. I dont remember the trek that well but I recall using the motor often and not hitting many rocks. The logic behind our trying this is iffy but it was fun and we caught fish. As i recall there was not a parking area so we pulled the car off to the side of the echo trail. (not ideal) I have caught a ton of fish in Jeanette and would highly recomend including it in your adventure. There is at least one boat-in campsite on an island that looked nice. You will however have more solitude on Astrid or Pauline. As portagekeeper suggests there are likely easier ways to get to Astrid. Regardless of your route have fun and be safe.
M