We have EP 61 for May 26. Permit to be issued from Clearwater Outfitters. Understand there is a Daniels Lake spur trail accessible from Clearwater Road that will take you to campsite 3 on Daniels. From what I have read here and elsewhere, it appears this spur trail is rather flat, but can be muddy/mucky. Also looks like it is about 1.5 miles. What we don’t know is if we could use this spur trail with our EP 61 permit. Also, if this trail is known to be muddy, would have to believe it is going to be so on May 26 given the late “thaw,” but what is your experience with trail conditions this time of year? Also, can we use the trail with our EP 61 permit?

Will be single portaging - only out for 3 nights. We already have arrangements through Clearwater for transport to the west end of West Bearskin, but was curious if use of this spur trail was a viable option. Thank you!

I'll be interested in what people say, but personally I would just do the paddle down West Bearskin. I have walked some winter road sections in the area between Daniels, West Bearskin, and Clearwater. Even in the fall I have come across a lot of standing water and mud. The end of May could be really, really wet. But maybe others have first hand experience with this specific section.

In terms of question whether you could enter the BW that way, I can't see an issue with it. The first lake in the BW you will be on is your entry point lake so you would be meeting the entry requirements.

Let us know what you decide.

Fishman53: "We have EP 61 for May 26. Permit to be issued from Clearwater Outfitters. Understand there is a Daniels Lake spur trail accessible from Clearwater Road that will take you to campsite 3 on Daniels. From what I have read here and elsewhere, it appears this spur trail is rather flat, but can be muddy/mucky. Also looks like it is about 1.5 miles. What we don’t know is if we could use this spur trail with our EP 61 permit. Also, if this trail is known to be muddy, would have to believe it is going to be so on May 26 given the late “thaw,” but what is your experience with trail conditions this time of year? Also, can we use the trail with our EP 61 permit?

Will be single portaging - only out for 3 nights. We already have arrangements through Clearwater for transport to the west end of West Bearskin, but was curious if use of this spur trail was a viable option. Thank you! "

As you have heard, the area is wet. I have had shin deep water on that trail in August. It's an old grade and seems to hold water in the ruts for a long time. In any case, from a rules and regs perspective, there's no reason why you wouldn't be allowed to enter there. It's unorthodox and I am sure Clearwater would try to talk you out of it, but it's your call. There isn't real parking at that spur trail (most folks end up parking somewhere along the street which can cause issues.) Since you are already using Clearwater, that fixes the problem since their parking is the closest parking lot to the spur. I will say that, though the spur may cut a little distance off your trip, it's only going to add difficulty. The paddle across Bearskin is nothing and the portage into Daniels is wide and well maintained. Also, the SW end of Daniels is really pretty. That said, if staying at the campsite on the spur is your goal, it may be a fun back way into a site. The nice one on the opposite shore from site 3 is probably the most popular site on the lake and tends to fill first. Site 3 is small and the trail runs straight through it, but I have always had a soft spot for it since my very first BWCA trip as a kid was to that campsite. Enjoy!

Thanks for the advice. Exchanged email with Clearwater: you can access Daniels via spur trail with EP 61 permit. However, it will be wet with “plenty of mud.” Thanks again was just looking for a viable option in case wind/weather would not permit safe entry to Daniels via West Bearskin. We will maintain current plan of entering via West Bearskin.