I've been looking to explore some more remote regions in BW. Off the beaten path. One spot I've got my eye on is Barto Lake, accessible by Barto Creek via the Louse River. It's directly north of Grace Lake, west of Alton, but you have to take Barto Creek east of Malberg Lake to get there. In my 1976 version of A Paddlers Guide To BWCA by Duncanson, it shows 8 portages from Louse River to Barto Lake. No portages are shown on my McKenzie map of the area. Barto Lake is 20' deep on lakefinder, so may hold fish, but no fish info was given. Barto is my mother's maiden name and it does look remote, so I am interested. Looks like a good bushwack. Any help? Another spot is Sunday Lake north of Beartrap. This is probably more familiar. Barto Lake is calling me though. Thanks.

Barto Lake Bushwhack Report

It does look like a fun and challenging trip. solitude guaranteed. Good luck with it.

I have paddled part way down Barto creek . It was an easy paddle for about a half mile before we turned back to the Louse river. I would like to go further someday. The louse river is a very nice journey , but it is best if you go down stresm from Wine or Dent lakes. If you go to Barto I would like to hear about it. tg

from the Sawbill Outfitter website:

Barto Day Trip

(it's down the page a ways -- the entry for 7/3/05)

Thanks guys. Great info. I'm doing this. It's time for a more challenging trip and this looks perfect. I am going to start at EP37 Kawishiwi Lake (so I can get another EP notch) to Malberg, follow Hexnymph's route to Barto Lake and then Sawbill Outfitters' route out to Sawbill. Hats off to Hexnymph for a great trip and report. This is exactly what I am looking for. Eglath-Thanks for sharing. That filled in perfectly. I admire your tripping style from your reports. Bumabu-Thanks again-I know I probably could have searched Barto Lake and found the trip report, but now and can say hi and I trust little Buummer is doing well. I also trust you went with my suggestion and named him William. Just kidding. Cheers.

;) Have fun or at least do your best to maintain sanity. We caught bluegill from shore but our efforts were somewhat limited.

Hex

hexy-from your report it sounds like you fish alot and have fun doing it. I'm going to fish more when travelling. And a travelling I will go. Thanks again for the inspiration. This is gonna get done.

Zarek Andres it was, William didn't make the final cut! Have a good trip, What time of year you planning on doing it?

Make sure you follow PMA rules if you plan on camping. I'm not sure about Barto, but Sunday Lake is in a PMA.

Beartrap Creek to Sunday Lake and then north is the easiest PMA location I've traveled through. I did it solo last September. I really enjoyed that trip. Heard a lot of wolves and even saw one.

B-Little Z-Very nice. Going next spring as soon as my son is through with his senior year. As early as possible, which is probably 1st or 2nd week in June. A fall trip looks tough to do this year.

Did you ever take this trip Owl?