I think I've been scared off of trying to cross from Beartrap River to Stuart or Stuart to the Beartrap River.

Now my dilemma is...

Dates: May 19-26

I either have to go up stream from Crooked to LBW Falls and the Horse River and down the Beartrap River, or Up the Beartrap River and down the Horse River and LBW Falls to Crooked.

Being very early, I'm wondering which might be the easier route overall. Last time I headed south out of Crooked to LBW Falls and the wind was blowing 20mph and its into the current. It was not a pretty sight with three kids under the age of 12. If I go this way again, I'll be coming out of Iron through LBW Falls and staying the night before I head up the Horse, to get to Beartrap.

If I head up the Beartrap, I'll be coming out of Iron also and only have to get to Beartrap Lake or Thunder.

Anyone done either that early in the year?

Thanks

Where are you entering/exiting from? Late enough that the melt flow should be over and currents should be manageable (unless it's a wet spring) in either direction. Seems to me that from Basswood falls to Beartrap via the Horse might be a long day with youngsters.

We're going in and out #14 LIS North. It's just my 18yo son and I this trip.

With an 18yo I think you can run either direction without difficulty. I would probably choose down the Beartrap because I think the change of landscape as you approach Iron is fantastic.

It is, we've been through there before. Thanks for the input.

I did beartrap to Iron early May 2013, went over every beaver dam never had to get out to pull over any, the portages are not maintained, and are several trees crossing them, and the portaged going into Iron can be challenging with the drop off going into Iron, I was solo, going the the other way would be a harder challenge win high water, I went out through Friday bay and was pretty easy the mile portage is pretty level and wide in spots.