Hello to all!! Taking my first trip in 20 years at the end of May. I grew up in Isabella and moved away years ago. My dad and I are revisiting our first trip. Put in at EP34, paddle to Isabella Lake and base out of there for three days. I know it will be a dramatic difference in scenery since the fire, but looking forward to seeing nature rebuilding itself. Not a lot of chatter on that area these days. Would love to hear stories if anyone has them.

Also have a few questions. What sites are still open on Isabella? Also, is the Parent full of logs and trees now? Planning on a day trip down the Isabella and up the Parent.

Any other things to check out? Anyone else going to be there that weekend? I see some of the permits are already bought up for both EPs.


Photo from my first trip in the early 90s.

I have a hunting trip planned in the area in October. I haven't paddled it yet (will do that this spring for scouting purposes). I did get as far as EP 35 this winter before the snow was too deep. That's not possible without a tracked vehicle now, as the logging activity is well west of 34 and 35.

From my research, I expect you'll see some fairly heavy fishing traffic on Isabella in May. Somebody was running snowmobiles in there for a reason this winter.

I'm pretty sure the Perent has been paddled from Perent Lake after the fire. I'll try to run down a trip report I've seen somewhere. Lots of portages ...

Here are a couple of photo journals posted by Kawashaway2 from late summer in 2017 that you will find interesting:
Kawashaway2's Photo Journals

The USFS has published info on closures resulting from the fire, but I haven't seen any official updates released since 2013. I would contact the Tofte Ranger District for updates before relying too heavily on this:

Closures and trail clearing related to the Pagami Creek Wildfire (updated 7/12/13)

We were there (Isabella) a couple years ago. The island site just N of EP landing is pretty nice. A few others got hit worse by the fire but, there are still some other decent sites.

Be sure to check out the pow-wow hiking trail bridge area & the interpretive kiosks at the EP. Forest Center town site

Most of the campsites on Isabella are open for business, although many were affected by the fire. There are 2 sites on the east end of the lake that are not open. I have not been down the Parent River since the fire. As you might expect the sites unaffected by the fire are at a premium.