Thinking through our route, our first night we are planning on staying at a site in Tiger Bay - second and third around Curtain Falls. What is better route option - the portages or is it possible to paddle along the border and into the Curtain Falls area ? Hard to tell by looking at maps if it is at all possible ?

You have to portage. The falls are substantial. Well worth the trip and it's a reasonable day trip from Tiger Bay if you don't want to move campsites.

Thank you !!! Bummer hate portaging, lol, but the Falls are one of my hit list for the BWCA, so really excited about that. We're hoping to get a site close to the Falls for a night or two and then dip down to Stuart and then out. Thank you again.

Just a little food for thought... If you’re not fond of portages, you might want to rethink the Stuart River exit. There’s 3 portages from Iron to Stuart (one of them is a doozy at a mile long). Then the portage to get back to the Entry Point is a mile and a half. Just something to think about if you’re not a fan of portages. I’ve done the Moose River and the Stuart River routes several times and the moose is way easier, but also much busier. Stuart is quiet and scenic. I’m not one to discourage anyone from a challenge and exploring new areas, I just thought I’d share a little perspective since I’ve been through there a lot. My dad finished the portage from Stuart to Fox and said...”never again!” Guess what...we’re doing it again in June!

Tony

GopherAdventure: "Just a little food for thought... If you’re not fond of portages, you might want to rethink the Stuart River exit. There’s 3 portages from Iron to Stuart (one of them is a doozy at a mile long). Then the portage to get back to the Entry Point is a mile and a half. Just something to think about if you’re not a fan of portages. I’ve done the Moose River and the Stuart River routes several times and the moose is way easier, but also much busier. Stuart is quiet and scenic. I’m not one to discourage anyone from a challenge and exploring new areas, I just thought I’d share a little perspective since I’ve been through there a lot. My dad finished the portage from Stuart to Fox and said...”never again!” Guess what...we’re doing it again in June!


Tony"

Could also be going from Stuart to boulder river and back the way they came

While you might save some time paddling up to curtain falls rather than using the portage I wouldn’t recommend it. As a general rule if there is a portage there is a reason for it. As far as I know no one has ever paddled up curtain falls, story is that a group went over the falls. Everyone survived.

lol !!!! will try to keep these words of wisdom in mind - but with our group you just may never know what the outcome maybe...

thanks, we've done the portages to Agnes with this same group 3 years ago, I was just hoping it was possible to skirt the boarder to save some of the portages. Guessing we just need to cowboy up and get it done. Cant wait to share the photos with the group at the end of the month.

After the main falls at the top, its a series of fast pools and drops to the bottom. The portage skirts all these. It is a long gradual uphill to the falls (if coming from Iron) but not bad and its a pretty good trail. Beware of the "tricky" little narrows as you come from Iron and approach the portage landing. There is a nasty little cross current that has dumped quite a few people. There is an alternate way to get to the portage from a back bay off Iron that some people use to avoid this spot. I think its all marked in the maps section.

cowdoc: "There is an alternate way to get to the portage from a back bay off Iron that some people use to avoid this spot. I think its all marked in the maps section."

I don't see it marked on this site's maps, but based on a previous discussion, here is a BaseCamp image with a waypoint I marked for that safer portage starting point.

Thank you, that is awesome. We'll be bringing Boy Scouts from TN and not sure how their paddling has improved from three years ago.

Yep that alternate landing is about where it's marked on that image. Do take that instead of the north landing if you're not sure of water levels or paddling skill

Some great sites on Iron Lake. Our troop spent 2 days on site 1839 on the island. Loved it and a short distance to Curtain Falls.

It's a longish portage along Curtain falls but it's beautiful and not terribly difficult. You'd paddle a ways into Crooked before you hit a campsite though. Iron would be a better bet if anything is open. It's a do-able day trip though.

Thanks for the image and the alternate portage. I saw video of somebody coming into it from Iron and it looked interesting. Doing Basswood through Crooked Lake and want to get up to Curtain falls. Debating on going into Iron since it’s a beautiful lake. Plan is to then retrace back to Basswood Lake for the exit.

If I get to Iron I’m Really going to have a hard time not wanting to paddle over and see Rebecca falls. Darn border being closed though would be an issue since you are obviously over the line doing that. Looks like a really neat falls though.

Ryan

Seeing Rebecca Falls is an issue even if the border IS open.....just sayin'.

If you are going into Iron and have the time, then I highly recommend going south out of Iron and do the Bear Trap River. One of my personal highlights.

I get an RABC every year for my family since we fish on Lake of the Woods and my understanding is it’s possible to get a day pass for Quetico.

Obviously this year that isn’t possible yet. I also wouldn’t want to jeopardize my ability to get future RABC permits so of course I’m going to follow the rules. Just saying it looks like a cool waterfall and I’d love to see it!

Ryan

We had a great trip, one of my most memorable so far. The Curtain Falls trip was really cool and Iron Lake is worth the trip alone with all of the big islands. We opted to spend the week on Boulder Bay and also visited Stuart Lake for a day trip as well. The Boulder River and the river to Stuart have some beautiful areas that really help define the solitude of the BWCA. Definitely an area that I plan on revisiting to try and dial in the fishing a little better. Thanks for all of the info to help make the trip a success !!!

What timeframe are you looking at?

Tiger Bay is an awfully popular spot.

I wouldn't set your heart on finding a site up there especially if coming from Moose River as you have a decent distance to cover and won't make it there at "prime campsite opening" time.

We tried 2 years ago for Tiger bay and it was full as was the surrounding sites except for the island site to the west. I was kind of glad after a day because the people in Tiger bay were loud and there was a ton of traffic coming in and out.

We stayed for 3 nights and headed back to lake Agnes.

There is a site in never fail bay I believe which if I went that way again I would try to snag because the fishing was great over there. (We never checked it to see if it was good or not)

Obviously you can never rely on one person's experience but just a heads up to have a back up plan.