The images that I've seen of them look really cool and I appreciate the history behind them and respect the natives and generations of travelers that have been here before me.

I am trying to decide whether or not we should go a certain way this year based on pictographs so I ask you:

How far out of the way are you willing to go to see pictographs? Is seeing pictures of them good enough?

You say that you have an appreciation and respect for them. If so, the question is unnecessary. If you want to see them, you go as far as you need to go.

Seeing a picture is not the same. It’s like telling people you’ve seen Denali, when all you’ve done is look at pictures.

If/when you see them, you’re appreciation may deepen.

its worth it
if its out of your way, make a long day trip pack a lunch and enjoy an unburdened day of paddling

I always swing by if I am within a day trip of pictographs

I've seen a bunch (in person). They are cool, but personally I wouldn't go out of my way to see them. Now if they are on my route then that's a different story.

Thanks for the responses.

I'll get more specific if anyone cares to share their wisdom:

The last leg of our trip will be from Crooked Lake to Mudro EP. The 2 options are:
Go down Friday Bay > Gun Lake > Mudro
Go east and down through Basswood River > Mudro

I personally like the look of the first option better, but the second option has pictos. Any thoughts?

if you can route yourself by them, then why not

Both are great routes. I usually take the basswood river.

We did this trip a few years ago. The historic pictographs route

ManAndDog: "Thanks for the responses.


I'll get more specific if anyone cares to share their wisdom:


The last leg of our trip will be from Crooked Lake to Mudro EP. The 2 options are:
Go down Friday Bay > Gun Lake > Mudro
Go east and down through Basswood River > Mudro


I personally like the look of the first option better, but the second option has pictos. Any thoughts?"

We did a loop out of Mudro last May going up through Fourtown to Crooked and the back down through Basswood and Horse.
Having paddled both routes you are describing I'd go down the Basswood River, check out the pictos and then Lower Basswood Falls. Bonus: The portages from Horse to Mudro are much easier than the ones through Fourtown.

For me, paddling a long way to see pictographs is a highlight of my trips. It is more than just seeing faint drawings on rock. You immediately feel history in front of you. I mean, there is a sense of calm, serenity, and awe as your canoe bobs in front of them. It's a feeling you cannot describe but must find for yourself.
Besides, If you make it down Crooked, you can witness the site of this famous painting first-hand. The pictographs are right there.