Have permit for Fall Lake #24 late July. Planning on doing the Horse Lake Loop, crossing Fall Lake, Newton Lake into Basswood Lake. From Basswood you can head north through Basswood River to Horse River, Horse Lake, Tin Can Mike Lake and back to Basswood. I have found routes that go clockwise and others that go counter-clockwise for the loop. Any insights into which is most preferred, given water levels, river currents, etc....?

Most definitely vote to go clockwise. The Horse flows north to the Basswood R. and that is not as fun to go upstream if you run into many pullovers and stuff. Of course then you're headed upstream for the Basswood R. portion but you portage around the current there on the long portage.

So go Jackfish Bay into Sandpit and end up back on Basswood Lake above the upper falls.

Much appreciated. That was my inclination.