Has anyone gone through this PMA? How rough was it and how long did it take to get from Beartrap to Stuart?

Did it some years back with My kids, in a mn3. That was a while ago so details are sketchy. The route was tough but doable.

Teaching the kids some backcountry skills.

Paddled beartrap river in September 2 years ago, and at that time of year the creek westbound to Sterling lake looked difficult to find in the grown-out confluence bog. I bet it would be easier to find in the spring.

Also, I have paddled Stewart lake and I think the portage eastbound to Nibbon is marked with a cairn.

Link to 10-year-old trip report.

Best to add a PMA endorsement for the day that you plan to go through. Probably doable if you are good in the woods, and in shape, but definitely more enjoyable if you stop to camp along the way.

Sterling is well worth stopping over on and exploring. Some years back, but we took our time: camped on Beartrap, then Sunday, then Sterling, then Stuart; then out to La Croix by way of the Dahlgren River, if I recall correctly. Took some time to find the creek into Sterling; also took some time to follow the portages out, but doable.

Tons and tons of posts on this if you care to search.

Sterling & Sunday are both wonderful lakes. I have no idea how long it would take in one shot, but we got tangled up in a couple of lost portages & turned around. If you mean to go from Beartrap to Stuart in one shot, make sure you give yourself plenty of extra time.

I have gone through this area, but it has been a many years (i think it was probably 1995). I have since talked to an old outfitter that remembers there being a an old camp on Sterling lake that used to have a horsepacking trail into......Maybe that is why there is a "no stock" animal clause in the BWCA wilderness law? Anways, there is supposed to be really good northern pike fishing in the lake. Have always wanted to go back in there and check it out.

FWIW, myself and two others went from Stuart to Sterling Lake for a daytrip on September of 2018. Stuart to Nibin/Bibon was passable, but not enjoyable. We just had light daypacks and canoes; I would not want to do it with a full pack. Just finding the start of the portage from Bibon to Sterling took about 20 minutes to sort through the mess of blowdowns. After the first 20 yards, the trek to Sterling was fairly nice. The trip from Stuart to Sterling took about 3 hours, but we were taking our time being careful around the blowdowns and hangers (someone had took a spill earlier in the trip and we were running low on bandages!)

We didn't go to Beartrap, so I can't say how things are further east from Sterling.

This was my first experience in a PMA, so I can't compare it to others, but it was definitely rough going compared to an official BWCA or Quetico portage. Our original plan was to go up Stuart and do the reverse of your route. I'm glad we couldn't get the EP permit for Stuart River, because it would have been a bad trip for me.

Been through twice, years ago, once solo, once with my wife. Both times from Stuart. I agree with Muddyfeet the creek is hard to find going your direction. I always look for it when I'm on the Beartrap, and I'm still never sure if I'm spotting it or not, especially in low water. It was pretty smooth sailing back then, traveling east, at least as far as Sterling, but things are always changing in nature. There's been some big winds since then.