Hey All,

So I am still working on a late May trip using the Trout Lake EP as I don't have much choice for EP's for a last minute trip. My question is, If I go into Pine Lake from Trout, can I use Buck creek to get to Buck Lake, is it passable, has anyone done it in the last year or two?

TIA - appreciative of any and all info.

Just looking at satellite map, going to guess the answer is no. The portages go along Pine Creek and then branch off to Chad Lake and then Buck. Not to say you shouldn't do it that way. Up to you if you want to risk having to do the portage into Pine first, try the creek and then have to double back and do it the "official" way :)

As I mentioned on another post a week or so ago, I went in EP1 last May. As I was researching routes a year ago, I was wondering this same question. My conclusion in looking at pictures and trip reports that others had posted was that it is possible to get to Buck from Pine Lake via Buck Creek, but it looked very difficult to do so. The other complication I had was that I didn't get to the EP until about noon and I wanted to get as far in as I could that first day. So I didn't want to get caught up the creek (so to speak) at the end of the day.

So I chose what I thought was the less risky path and went to Buck via Pine Creek and Chad Lake. The portage between Pine Creek and Chad and then Chad to Buck aren't easy, either, but I knew they were passable and I also liked that I could stop for the day on Chad (which I ended up doing).

FYI, I had an awesome trip and was glad I checked out this section of the BWCA. It has its drawbacks (having to get across Vermilion and/or Burntside just to get there), but I thought the lakes were scenic and mostly lesser traveled than a lot of the popular BWCA routes. I'd definitely like to go back in there someday.

I have did it in reverse once. I went from Buck, Pine using Buck Creek. It was an adventure for sure, I wouldn’t do it again. If there is low water at the time you attempt it, it would not be fun.

You will hate life if you try to do it loaded down. We stayed on pine and did it for a day trip, and it took quite a few hours each way. Was a fun memory, but I can’t imagine doing it with packs

Thanks for the reply

Thanks for the reply and the insight into the area. I have done a good number of trips into the BWCA and did not think I could go this spring, so I did not get a permit. The need to get in there is too strong, so EP 1 is available, and I am going. The area is new to me, and I love that it may be a little less travelled than other areas. Thanks again for your note and the information.

Thanks for the first-hand info. It is very much appreciated.

Thanks for the note, you are right about the downside.

Agree with other posts. Doable but not worth trying to do the "shortcut" fully loaded. A while back my buddy and I camped on Pine and did a day trip down Pine Creek > Chad > Buck > Western > Glenmore. We thought it might be easier to just head back to Pine on Glenmore Creek for a nice loop. We were sorely mistaken.

I paddled the creek in 2022. Or so.
high water. early June
I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Had to get out a few times and push through brush/wood. I'm a big fan of the bushwack

halvorsonchristopher: "I paddled the creek in 2022. Or so.
high water. early June
I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Had to get out a few times and push through brush/wood. I'm a big fan of the bushwack"

Haha, your pictures are the ones I mentioned in my post a few weeks ago. They were part of the reason I decided to try EP1 in the first place and the Buck Creek pictures were part of the reason I decided to go the long way around to Buck Lake.

You have great pictures, by the way. When I think of new places to go in the BWCA, many times I see your pictures, campsite and portage comments from the same area and they are super helpful.