Hi
Doing some research for a buddy who is thinking of going from Sawbill to Cherokee in mid September. Has anyone done that recently and what were the water levels like? Any thoughts on what conditions may be in September? My guess is that is a typically low water level time in a normal year? Thx.

Nothing to report recently, just a bit of advice. If the water is low I remember the portage will be longer there. Also there is a huge beaver dam he will need to deal with. With a Kevlar canoe that means that they will need to unload the canoe on top of the dam and then pull the empty canoe over and load again. It can be kind of tricky balancing on a pile of sticks lifting heavy loads.

I went from Baker last Sept. and looped through Cherokee to Sawbill and back to Baker. Water levels were not a problem then, but I may have been lucky. I'm also not heavy and carry a light load. so don't need much water to float it.

I always stop and talk with the Sawbill Outfitter crew about my route in the Sawbill area. They keep pretty good tabs on current conditions in their space in the BW.

We went the opposite direction of Boonie last year. Our group went north out of Sawbill last year to Cherokee the first day. We unintentionally paddled past the 76 rd portage between Ada Creek and Ada Lake. We pulled over a couple of beaver dams and found ourselves on Ada Lake! The portage between Ada and Skoop Lakes is variable, but we did paddle through most of it. Had to get out once or twice to float over a shallow spot, but it was a lot easier than walking. (Most of the portage was under water anyhow.). As I recall, there is at least one beaver dam pull over on Cherokee Creek too.

September was a wonderful time of year to be in the BW. Hope your friend has a good trip.

I took three newbies on this route four years ago. The first two portages out of Sawbill are easy. The portage between Ada and Skoop is an ankle breaker so hopefully they can float it. The last one into Cherokee Creek is long but not overly difficult. Ask Sawbill Outfitters about the best way over any dams on the creek (right side vs. left side). My favorite part of this route is Cherokee Creek.