I have never been to this EP - I know it's in the blowdown, and the trail in is long.
Mostly wondering about thoughts on the sites on Carl, Lux, Vista, Misquah, maybe as a last resort Little Trout? I have traveled through from Horseshoe to Ram, but have never stayed. And haven't seen Carl or Lux.
It's just a quick mid-week loop, fishing.
Thanks - Beth

I found the portage an enjoyable mile hike. It's a nice wide portage. On our way thru lux someone had fileted fish and left remains on shore so it was a nasty fly mess and stinky, too.
Honestly just did a loop thru the small lakes, saw a moose. Very enjoyable

We stayed at the Carl site several years ago. As I recall its maybe only slightly better than a 1 star site. It was brushy but had an elevated fire grate and small tent pad.

The Lux site was less accommodating but, being solo, I'm sure you could make it work. Don't think either lake has much for fish; although, I'll admit we didn't even wet a line when there. Of course, Horseshoe and Vista are where I'd focus for fishing in that area.

I have no firsthand knowledge but, I believe the lone site on Misquah is anything too great either.


Lux camp.

Thanks - I'm thinking Horseshoe and Vista will probably be full, but I'll take a paddle by and check it out. Thanks for the help and the pictures.

Been that way many times although not for a long time. The sites on carl and lux are doable but far from great. We caught pike in both lakes from shore, didn't put much effort into it. I always kind of enjoyed the Morgan Lake portage and it's worst feature is its length.

Vista is a very nice lake with good fishing for smallies and walleyes and some pike as well. Three campsites but the one in the long skinny arm in NW corner is the worst excuse for a campsite I have seen in the BWCA. The sought after site is the southern one which is very nice 4-5 star for sure, with good shorefishing potential too. The site on the western shore isn't bad at all...once you get up there. The landing sucks and there is a bit of a hike to get up to the site itself but once there it is decent and the view is nice.

The portages south of Vista are challenging as you traverse over the Misquah Hills with some of everything, rocks, mud narrow windy trail and a lot of elevation changes. Anything beyond that site on Misquah would have to be awfully good for me to head that far.

Horseshoe is very cool with decent fishing although busy. With luck and good timing you might get a site on either Vista or Horseshoe and you will have the best of both fishing and scenery that area has to offer.

Thank you very much!

The stretch from Vista all the way to Ram was pretty quiet over the July 4th weekend. One out of 2 sites on Vista taken, Misquah open, Little Trout all open. The Vista sites both looked cool. Misquah seemed not so great, but I didn't get out to check. I stopped on the island site on Little Trout. Not a bad site if you don't have super hot weather. I got there at noon on one of the 90+ days in July and the sun was beating down on the main part of the site. Good swimming, though, so I swam before continuing to Ram.

Have fun!

jillpine: "Thanks - I'm thinking Horseshoe and Vista will probably be full, but I'll take a paddle by and check it out. Thanks for the help and the pictures. "

There is a little known site on the very eastern arm of Horseshoe that some maps don't show. Even when the rest of the lake is full, that is often open. And it is quiet.