BWCA Upper Basswood Falls Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
   Trip Planning Forum
      Upper Basswood Falls     
 Forum Sponsor

Author

Text

MidwestFirecraft
distinguished member(918)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/25/2023 01:49PM  
I have been up the Horse river several times and love the route. If the wind was calm am I missing anything by not going through Jackfish Bay and seeing the upper falls and that stretch of the river on my way to Crooked?
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next
01/25/2023 02:10PM  
The upper is pretty cool. It's a lengthy paddle across jackfish but a nice one if the wind is down. You'll also get to see Wheelbarrow falls on the way to lower Basswood Falls.
The long portage around the upper falls is super easy just long.
Drag a crankbait behind you through Jackfish Bay.
I hooked a monster smallie through there.
MidwestFirecraft
distinguished member(918)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/26/2023 06:56AM  
Thank you for your reply. I typically avoid big water, especially with motors allowed, but I'm guessing mid May should not have to much activity. If the wind is right I think we may just go the longer route and see some new sights.
cyclones30
distinguished member(4163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/26/2023 06:04PM  
Jackfish to Upper is a great route. Rare you'll have a NE wind so it's pretty safe to plan on going that route and being ok. Upper and Wheelbarrow are very cool areas. Don't rush through it either, camp on Basswood above the falls or there's even sites along the falls.

That time of the year I doubt you see many boats if any. They can't go past the narrows in Jackfish anyway so it's only an hour or two when you're in the same waters.
MidwestFirecraft
distinguished member(918)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/26/2023 08:23PM  
cyclones30: "Jackfish to Upper is a great route. Rare you'll have a NE wind so it's pretty safe to plan on going that route and being ok. "


That is what I was hoping. Figure I can hug the Western shore if need be. Looking forward to having the time to take in all the sites along the river.
01/27/2023 12:43PM  
MidwestFirecraft: "
cyclones30: "Jackfish to Upper is a great route. Rare you'll have a NE wind so it's pretty safe to plan on going that route and being ok. "



That is what I was hoping. Figure I can hug the Western shore if need be. Looking forward to having the time to take in all the sites along the river. "


Any wind from a northerly direction (including NW) will kick up waves on Jackfish and beyond- the lake will channel the wind.

And for those with no experience you travel down the Horse to Basswood/Crooked not up.
01/27/2023 04:36PM  
MidwestFirecraft: "I have been up the Horse river several times and love the route. "


If you've been along the Horse River several times, why not go the Jackfish Bay route anyhow? See new territory and a new stretch of the Basswood River. This is a view looking downstream from just below the upper falls.

MidwestFirecraft
distinguished member(918)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/27/2023 05:00PM  
"If you've been along the Horse River several times, why not go the Jackfish Bay route anyhow?"

Beautiful picture. I posed the question because I tend to avoid big water, and in general I don't like it near as much as small lakes or intimate rivers. Often when I'm on big water there isn't much to see, and I'm just paddling waves. I think Basswood will be different with the islands and Canadian Shield shore. The replies to the post have convinced me to give it a shot if the wind is favorable.


cyclones30
distinguished member(4163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/27/2023 07:16PM  
Give it a go, the river section is very worth it even if Jackfish is a little meh for your likes. Good fishing, things to see, places to stop. Good fishing.

The portage from Sandpit to the Range River? Stream that goes into Jackfish anyway, is partly on an old RR grade. Very wide and flat for maybe half the portage. You can still follow this RR south from there on google maps very easily and see where it ran

As far as the upper falls, it's really a falls at the very top end and then a lot of rapids and narrows and such. Depending on water levels some people paddle a lot of it. Others choose to portage the whole length. Either way it's worth checking out the sights and fishing if you're not in a hurry. Keep left at every fork if you want to end up at the bottom end (going downstream) There will be a lot of trail branches off to the right toward the river for campsites, landings, fishing spots, etc.

We double portaged it just so we could use the empty walk back as the chance to check out some of the scenery. Granted if you double it, you'll be walking 3 miles in total though a very flat and pretty simple trail.
MidwestFirecraft
distinguished member(918)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/28/2023 06:52AM  
cyclones30: "Give it a go, the river section is very worth it even if Jackfish is a little meh for your likes. Good fishing, things to see, places to stop. Good fishing. "


Well said, barring heavy wind, rain/snow conditions that is now our plan. Thank you to all for the detailed responses. Still have a lot of winter camping adventures to get to, but getting very excited to explore this beautiful area come ice out.
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next
Trip Planning Sponsor:
Sawbill Canoe Outfitters