I’m tentatively planning an early trip in October (weather depending) and was curious if water level is a concern. I was hoping to make a loop from Sawbill through the ladies to Wine and back but I want to make sure the river is passable this time of year. Any thoughts?

If water gets low, portage landings may get a little nastier, but I think the paddle worthy sections will be fine. You may have a harder time with sections of the Phoebe River than the Louse if water gets low. Always worth a call to Sawbill to check current water levels.

I have paddle the Louse in a low water condition. The Louse is somewhat less impacted by water levels than say the Frost. There are some sections where lower water levels are preferable due to beaver activity making portages wetter than they might otherwise be. We paddled in a "dry" August year and though not full of water, we were able to paddle all sections. The low water did make the Boze/Frond portages more confusing, but not impassable.

We loved paddling the Louse River. Not for the faint of heart, but a beautiful and wild place for sure. Saw a bear on Bug Lake. Had a magical moment or two on Trail Lake. The river from Frond to Malberg is full of beaver dams at every choke point and some of the most ancient feeling river paddling anywhere. Have been through once and our second attempt was scuttled due to equipment failure. I will try again soon.

Always good advice to call Sawbill about the water levels on both the Louse and Phoebe rivers.

I just tripped from Dent to Wine about a month ago. The portage from Bug to Louse and Louse to Poe haven't seen regular maintenance in quite some time. I believe the Dent Mesaba route would be faster, less work and less stress. Just my opinion. Either way, have a good trip.

That loop is fantastic, but once you get back there trails dissappear and it sometimes will be bushwacking/climbing over 8 foot tall beaver dams. Not an easy stroll, but well worth it. Plan accordingly. I went in late September and the water was fine.

Michwall2: " Have been through once and our second attempt was scuttled due to equipment failure. I will try again soon.

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Did your equipment fail in the middle of your trip? Did you have to turn back and exit early?

rdgbwca: "

Michwall2: " Have been through once and our second attempt was scuttled due to equipment failure. I will try again soon.


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Did your equipment fail in the middle of your trip? Did you have to turn back and exit early?"

Found at the end of the Lujenida/Zenith portage that my water pump was missing a part and none of my repair kits had it. It was too hot to rely on dipping on the river. We stayed on Wine for the week we had planned and dipped water from the deep parts there.

Michwall2: "
Found at the end of the Lujenida/Zenith portage that my water pump was missing a part and none of my repair kits had it. It was too hot to rely on dipping on the river. We stayed on Wine for the week we had planned and dipped water from the deep parts there.
"

Wow. Sounds like you made the best of the trip though. Did you see a lot of people passing through Wine?

rdgbwca: "

Michwall2: "
Found at the end of the Lujenida/Zenith portage that my water pump was missing a part and none of my repair kits had it. It was too hot to rely on dipping on the river. We stayed on Wine for the week we had planned and dipped water from the deep parts there.
"

Wow. Sounds like you made the best of the trip though. Did you see a lot of people passing through Wine?"

More than I would have thought. People traveling east off the Louse River paddled by our site first. We had a least 3 groups paddle by one afternoon. That was the surprise. Not surprised about the others wanting the first campsite off the Frost route.