I've never hit up the far east side, so thinking about trying that for my solo next August. Either John or East Bearskin EP, and travel around for 4-6 days. I know that a lot of those lakes are long and oriented with the prevailing winds. I'm thinking the Alder, Canoe area looks interesting. Any good routes or pointers....places I haven't considered?

Also interested to hear the options as I plan to solo in this area for the first time in October. Hope it's okay to glean some intel from following this thread. :)

If entering at East Bearskin, be sure to use the southern portage into Aldee as the northern trail is rugged and rarely if ever maintained. It's a popular area so, if there's a premo site available on Alder you may just want to grab it. Although, it is very easy to verify availability of the 2 western most sites on Canoe Lake before committing to that short easy portage.

If they're occupied you have a roll of the dice to contemplate. There are 2 sites on Crystal Lake (which imho lives up to its name, as it is the gem of the lakes in this immediate area) but, it's a dead end route campsite wise so you may end up backtracking. Pierz Lake is probably a safer bet for availability as it sports 3 mediocre sites.

While in the area, the old cabin at the extreme east end of Spaulding Lake is definitely an interesting side trip and if your feeling especially vigorous, Bench Lake is a very well protected (i.e. difficult portage in) elegant cedar rimmed Lake that may give up a brook trout or 2. Paddle Lake is also a scenic spot worth poking in & checking out. Depending on water levels you likely be able to pole right through the shallow narrows.

Of course the primary highlight of this region is Johnson Falls. Once back there be sure to check out the colossal cedar tree just downstream a little ways from the lower falls. Note: there are 2 separate falls in somewhat close proximity of each other.

Pine Lake is a beauty but, as you already alluded to can be volatile . The Border Route Hiking Trail runs along the northern Ridgeline and provides some excellent exploration & scenery it is own right if you happen to have time or are windbound. Gadwall & Vale are both very scenic Alpine-like lakes but, there's a heavy portage toll to pay in getting to either of these lakes.

Little Caribou is perhaps the most famous one campsite lake that is typically in high demand. The portage in from Pine is kind of unique too.

The east end of Clearwater Lake is a great place to camp as 2 of the 3 sites there are very nice. Of course the towering palisades to the west down the lake are well known, but also, it puts you in close proximity to the 2 overlooks of Mountain Lake - which can be accessed by cutting off on the BRT in either direction on the portage between Clearwater & Mountain Lakes. The eastern overlook is a shorter hike but, the western is more expansive. There's also one of the very few large border obelisks at the start of the portage west towards Watap. If you're looking for a challenge,I consider the portage into Pemmican one of the very toughest in all of the bwca. That portage is actually an extension of the trail up to the latrine from the campsite just below.

Also, Gogebic Lake (a personal favorite) is close at hand. It's a grueling 400+ portage up but it passes through an idyllically lush area complete with a bridge crossing that make this one of the more enjoyable long portages you'll encounter. Also, the eastern campsite sports some neat rock recliners and the lake itself is gorgeous.

While all the lakes in this area are well above average from a scenic perspective, because Clearwater is a motor lake, East Pike may be the cream of the larger lakes crop. Very rugged area, but it has some good campsites too.

Hope this helps.

Did a nice trip in that area a few years back in October. East Bearskin thru Alder, eventually to Pierz for first night. Back to Canoe and up over the hill to Pine. Spent a day on Pine and day tripped up to Gadwall. Next day went west on Pine and checked out Johnson Falls before going to Little Caribou for night. Next day went to Caribou, Deer, and spent last night on Moon. Exit day we took the stair portage up to East Bearskin and paddled out. I really enjoyed the route.

Have Rockwood shuttle you to the Ham/ Cross Bay then paddle back to Poplar. One of my favorite trips

Blatz: "Have Rockwood shuttle you to the Ham/ Cross Bay then paddle back to Poplar. One of my favorite trips"

+1

Blatz: "Have Rockwood shuttle you to the Ham/ Cross Bay then paddle back to Poplar. One of my favorite trips"

I've been through that area quite a bit in the past 4-5 years. It is lovely country.

TuscaroraBorealis: " "

Where was that photo taken?

airmorse,

That photo is of Mountain Lake looking NW from the Border Route Hiking Trail which crosses the Clearwater to Mountain portage. To reach this spot you would need to travel east from the aforementioned portage. There is also another overlook if you go west on the BRT but, it's a longer trek (maybe 3/4 of a mile???) to get to it from the portage

I like that trip and have taken it a couple of times. The site on Canoe that is straight across from the portage is big and full of lofty pines. Very nice. If you fish, that's a great trip for variety. walleyes, smallmouth, northerns, lake trout, brook trout, and splake are all available nearby. Great hike into the falls as well. I also like the two step portage from the car to the water at the beginning.

I really like the Pine, John, South foul EP, the put in is at a small county campground so super easy to get an early morning start. Which ever way you go to start I really like coming back the mountain moose foul route

TB, what a wealth of info! Thanks, you've given me lots to work with.

If no one has mentioned it yet, Alder has bear problems which I can attest to. The north side of the lake in particular. I've our friend in early October on Pierz as well. Other area lakes have problems too from Rose to Daniel's and the lakes between Clearwater and Alder.

bennojr: "If no one has mentioned it yet, Alder has bear problems which I can attest to. The north side of the lake in particular. I've our friend in early October on Pierz as well. Other area lakes have problems too from Rose to Daniel's and the lakes between Clearwater and Alder."

How recently have you had problems, and how serious? Pulling down a hung pack, not able to chase it off, breaking into a vault?

Bear are all over in the woods....just part of the deal. That said, some bear are worse than others.

TuscaroraBorealis: "airmorse,


That photo is of Mountain Lake looking NW from the Border Route Hiking Trail which crosses the Clearwater to Mountain portage. To reach this spot you would need to travel east from the aforementioned portage. There is also another overlook if you go west on the BRT but, it's a longer trek (maybe 3/4 of a mile???) to get to it from the portage "

That's a fantastic photo. Thanks for the info.

dogwoodgirl: "

bennojr: "If no one has mentioned it yet, Alder has bear problems which I can attest to. The north side of the lake in particular. I've our friend in early October on Pierz as well. Other area lakes have problems too from Rose to Daniel's and the lakes between Clearwater and Alder."

How recently have you had problems, and how serious? Pulling down a hung pack, not able to chase it off, breaking into a vault?


Bear are all over in the woods....just part of the deal. That said, some bear are worse than others."

It was September 29 2022 I had my problems. The forest service is well aware of the problems as well as the local outfitters. As of last October (2023) a sign was still posted at the East Bearskin landing. I keep a daily journal for myself and could send you what I wrote back then. It was quite an adventure. Shoot me a request at my yahoo address.

bennojr: "

dogwoodgirl: "

bennojr: "If no one has mentioned it yet, Alder has bear problems which I can attest to. The north side of the lake in particular. I've our friend in early October on Pierz as well. Other area lakes have problems too from Rose to Daniel's and the lakes between Clearwater and Alder."

How recently have you had problems, and how serious? Pulling down a hung pack, not able to chase it off, breaking into a vault?



Bear are all over in the woods....just part of the deal. That said, some bear are worse than others."

It was September 29 2022 I had my problems. The forest service is well aware of the problems as well as the local outfitters. As of last October (2023) a sign was still posted at the East Bearskin landing. I keep a daily journal for myself and could send you what I wrote back then. It was quite an adventure. Shoot me a request at my yahoo address."

There is a retired outfitter that used to say most bears are nothing to worry about, but once in a while there is a naughty bear. This one sounds like it falls under naughty bear.

This one has come up on here over the last couple of years with stories of not being able to scare it away and ripped up packs found in the woods, outfitters have heard many stories from customers, and I heard a story about it from this fall on the Tumblehome podcast about a group staying up all night because there was nothing they could do to get it to leave.

Respect the wind. In 2021, we had to water rescue a father son duo both in solo canoes with kayak paddles. Both tipped over. Both had their life jackets strapped to their seats. They had little gear as they were out for just one night. After this, they had less gear but kept their lives .

We had to spend one day in camp ourselves to reduce the risk of travel on those windy narrow lakes.

Some of the portages are steep climbs.

We used EP 62.