Just back last night from a three day two night trip mapped out here.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7553227

Broken out by days:
Day 1: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7553178
Day 2: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7553179
Day 3: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=7553180

Method of travel was Altai Kom skis with a backpack, no sled or anything else.

I don't have time now for a full report but please post any questions about current conditions and I'll try to answer.

I was able to travel well on the big lakes which were solid ice, or had enough snow crust to keep me above the slush. I only really had to scrape my skis once the whole route, near a south facing slope on Caribou that had baked all day.

I think the really strong winds did a favor on the eastern portions of the lakes, scouring the snow off them and reducing the ice load. The woods had ample snow for skiing the portages, at least between the bulbous rocks.

The only tracks I crossed were a group heading into West Pike from Clearwater. They were on long traditional skis with a dog and a pulk, and it was clear that they penetrated much deeper and were in the slush a lot more.

The MN DNR snow depth map updated last Thursday seemed to match conditions much more accurately than the NOAA satellite based products. The DNR said 12-18", NOAA said much less.

It was like a March trip in January out there, with daylight hours of the latter.

Thanks

The really long version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3IHIKj_0u0

The abridged version
https://youtu.be/zN4RikNL1R4