In past trips I have paddled starting out of Fall through Newton through Pipestone through Lewis Narrows around west to Basswood south to Jackfish Bay. I have also short cutter by doing the 87 rod portage between Pipestone and Basswood. I am wondering if anyone can tell me if one can shortcut this by driving Browns Lake Road Forest Service Road 1036 to the parking lot. How is that road and is there spots for a truck and a SUV? From that parking lot, how are the 190 rod portage and 158 rod portage to Range and Sandpit Lakes, then a 20 rod to the stream connecting Range Lake joined to Basswood and can one access Jackfish via the stream going eastbound on the stream from Sandpit. The map I have does list a rapids on the stream needing a 15 rod portage.

Just get a Mudro entry and you'll have less portaging. And what entry permit would you be using if you start on Range?

It's an old RR grade that runs through the range sandpit area so as far as elevation change it can't be horrible but....assume it's lightly used if at all so trees down and brush might be more if an issue.

Yes there's a portage on the stream, those are all true as they should be on a map. But the most used route in that area to do what you're wanting is Mudro to Sandpit to Jackfish.

Range Lake was once an entry point. You could take the Cloquet Line past Low Lake and there was a parking area near Range Lake. I believe that the Cloquet Line is no longer maintained past Low Lake, I don't know its current condition past Low Lake. There is a primitive boat launch and limited parking on Low Lake- you could put in here and paddle the Range River to Range Lake. As stated before there is not really a permit for this. I did the portage between Sandpit and Range three years ago- it is still maintained and longish but easy. The Range River between Sandpit and Jackfish is a simple paddle with one portage around rapids. The Range River between Low an Range Lakes is an endless back and forth looping stream. As suggested by cyclones it is a relatively easy route from Mudro to Jackfish, the only hurdle the up and steeply down portage between Mudro and Sandpit.

The Cloquet Line past Low Lake is in decent shape as of last fall. It's actually in better shape than the road to Low. I have a a Suburu Crosstrek and had no problem on the road. The first part of the portage into Range follows the old railroad bed and can sometimes be under water in sections. This would be your quickest way to get to Jackfish Bay. If you go in this way you will need to have a Mudro permit.

Thanks for all the advice on getting in. I also heard sometime ago that there is a residence near Mudro that charges a few bucks to park there and the portage from near the residence is much shorter or something like that. Can anyone confirm?

Recreateager: "Thanks for all the advice on getting in. I also heard sometime ago that there is a residence near Mudro that charges a few bucks to park there and the portage from near the residence is much shorter or something like that. Can anyone confirm?"

You sound very focused on the absolute shortest route in....why? The easiest way to Jackfish would be a tow from a motor boat if you're that desperate

Recreateager: "I also heard sometime ago that there is a residence near Mudro that charges a few bucks to park there and the portage from near the residence is much shorter or something like that. Can anyone confirm?"

It sounds like you are referring to the Chainsaw Sisters Saloon. They’ve been gone for almost 15 years now, and the lot where they used to charge to park is now the free main access point.

We came in from Mudro last year and it was pretty easy and quick.
Assuming that Pickett creek levels are back up it would be even easier.
I think we were at the Basswood River by 1pm

Recreateager: "Thanks for all the advice on getting in. I also heard sometime ago that there is a residence near Mudro that charges a few bucks to park there and the portage from near the residence is much shorter or something like that. Can anyone confirm?"

Just go in at Mudro or Fall Lake. It is a violation of forest service rules/laws to enter the boundary waters anywhere other than a designated entry point. I paddled into Jackfish on a day trip two summers ago and it took about 2 hours to get to Jackfish Bay, you're not going to get any quicker than that.

I mean if we're really looking for options (and the border was open) you could......use the Quetico fly-in entry point on their side of Basswood which is right north of Jackfish. Then use a BWCA entry from canada permit and figure out all that legal and permitting junk and the plane ride. Your time on the water might be cut by an hour to get into the bay if that's your goal. Your time to Basswood falls would be cut to almost nothing. But it would cost a ton of money, take a lot of planning, permitting, border crossings, and an open border.

But hey, it's an option I suppose

That was the Chainsaw Sisters Saloon. It was sold back to the government years ago and now is just a big parking lot.