Been browsing here for awhile-what a great bunch of information! My buddy and I are planning a trip from Sept 29 (Sunday) thru the week to Oct 5, and I know this is a popular EP, so want to grab a permit Wed. We are experienced backpackers, and have done lake canoe camping trips, but no portaging. So coolers, etc. We may also have a couple more joining us, so Mudro seems like it has good options for either a leisurely trip up to Gun, Beartrap etc, maybe down the Moosecamp River if water allows; or a longer shot up to LBF and Crooked. So total flexibility in plans. Thinking of heading in thru Sandpit and out from Fourtown. Is this a reasonable plan, or any other suggestions, site recommendations, etc? Thanks!

It's popular, but you shouldn't have much problem that late in the year as far as permits. If you were going between Memorial and Labor Day then you'd want to be quicker on the draw. (but being prepared is good)

Plenty of route options, the 3 portages between Mudro and Fourtown aren't the hardest in the park but they'll test you especially if they're wet. Rocky, chunky, watch your ankle type stuff. As far as the rest of the area, it's very nice as you've learned and nice sights. No recent burns in that area so you've got pretty solid forest in the entire area for fall colors.

Yeah, it seems that once up into Fourtown or Horse, the portages aren't bad, so not gonna be in any hurry

DaleLL: "Been browsing here for awhile-what a great bunch of information! My buddy and I are planning a trip from Sept 29 (Sunday) thru the week to Oct 5, and I know this is a popular EP, so want to grab a permit Wed. We are experienced backpackers, and have done lake canoe camping trips, but no portaging. So coolers, etc. We may also have a couple more joining us, so Mudro seems like it has good options for either a leisurely trip up to Gun, Beartrap etc, maybe down the Moosecamp River if water allows; or a longer shot up to LBF and Crooked. So total flexibility in plans. Thinking of heading in thru Sandpit and out from Fourtown. Is this a reasonable plan, or any other suggestions, site recommendations, etc? Thanks!"

If you delay the start of your trip for two days, no permit reservation is necessary since October 1st starts write your own.
The time you picked is good for fall colors, but closer to October 10th seems better.
I've never seen "crowding" at that time of year, the town is pretty dead and not many trip then.
PS- I spent a year at Ft. Bragg (Fayetteville) before heading for Vietnam in '68 and '69, how close is that from where you live?

I'm in Chapel Hill, NC, about an hour and a half from Fayetteville. My buddy's in Boulder CO.

I was their the 2nd week of October 2 years ago and missed the color peak by a week that year, but I also missed some nasty weather as well. I had great weather my entire trip. It did snow lightly 1night however. Plan on early sundown time. If the weather is good you'll have a great trip. I only saw 3 canoes the entire trip up through Crooked Lake and back to Mudro. If you do the same trip don't worry about that mile portage. It's flat and easy