On my last venture into the park which had Irregular lake as the destination via a southern run I was dissuaded from attempting it with advice and admonishments from Marten as well as several others........the route hadn't been cleared and was clogged with blowdown. At first I was stubborn and unwittingly proclaimed that i would "just cut my way through". My detractors were quite insistent however and prevailed.

I ended up getting to Irregular by a more conventional and more travelled path which looped north through Mexican Hat/Beamish. That trip was simply awesome and it is due in large part to those which had advised me. I certainly owe them a debt of gratitude.

This trip, Lund to Musclow, seems pretty straightforward.........but "you don't know what you don't know" as the saying goes. I see I will have to deal with a bit of a bog into Knox which probably won't be so bad in August.

Anything else I should be advised of?

Base camping on Musclow for an extended period of time. As per my custom I will be spending some time "refining" my campsite. I spent a 1.5 days working on the 5 star campsite on Agean which from my perspective was one of the nicest I had ever been to in spite of all the blowdown (which is now located behind the site ;-)

Any advice is appreciated as well as suggestions as to a potential base camp on Musclow.

By the lack of responses we can suppose that few paddlers venture up to Musclow. I did once just to touch the top of WCPP and after going up to the top of the lake I retreated closer to the portage to the Bloodvein system. I made my camp on a big rock at WGS84 15U 365968 5694298. As you near Musclow it is on the left just before the large waters of the lake. I do not recall it being a regular camp but my notes say it had a great view but the downside that a hard west wind off the lake would blow you off the rock. I know groups have flown in and fished all week on Musclow so there has to me some spots there. There is a boat cache there and some of the lodge guest from the Bloodvein spend some time in there. If you find a spot that is used for shore lunches I would advise to seek a less used campspot with less bear bait spread around.

Hiya Marten
Yup I was figuring no news is good news. I am assuming the Bloodvein run is well used and fairly straightforward.

Thanks for the heads up on the campsite. I just may employ that and use it to scout out a more permanent home for the 2 weeks or so I plan to be there.

Not so glad to hear of a boat cache. At least there is no cabins on the lake.....correct? Part of the reason I choose it as a destination lake. Oh well, Irregular had a boat cache and it was never used the week I was there.

Now if I can just keep my arrival secret with the local fish population. They can be hard to catch when they are quivering with fear under weeds and rocks. (Where is an "eye roll" emotive when you need it ;-)

There are no cabins on the lake. Good luck.

Musclow is a wonderful lake...we have camped on a large rock, that s just west of the entrance to the lake as one travels up the Musclow River...this has become a fisherman's noon lunch place...several islands that sit in the middle of the lake may offer a place to camp...however, think about caribou and the offspring that may be on the islands in the early part of the canoeing season...an old camp did exist where the river enters the lake from the northeast/Robert and Job Lakes...up the lake on the west shore is a boat cache which offers places to camp...the east side of Musclow holds a ring of islands...which as the summer warms gets a good weed growth and holds walleye...we have caught nice fish trolling across the lake with rapallas...using single barbless hooks for easier release/works for us...the views are wonderful, the stretch looking north is a great reminder of the "bigness" of this country...leave some tobacco on the shore for the old lady/the wind so she is kind to you...we've spent several days watching the swells on the lake...the southwest corner, does offer some flat rock and depending on tree tip overs, one could find a place to camp...a great spot to spend several days just paddling along the shoreline: fishing, exploring, and watching for animals...good luck and enjoy this wonderful lake...

On my trip last year I camped on Barclay and that evening took a trip up the Musclow River to the portage into Musclow. I had some really good fishing at the bottom of the rapids out of Musclow. It wasn't a big area but I caught about 15 walleyes in a row, all nice sized and one 35" northern. Also coming back that evening I saw 2 moose. In hindsight I really wished I had taken another day to take it to the entry point as long as I was that close.

Hey thanks for weighing in.......just stokes the fires even a bit more. Planning on being at Musclow for a few weeks. I will size up the fishing and then try and put in a camp if a location offers all the desirable aspects. I will be bringing my big silky saw and I'm not afraid of some hard work so maybe I will notch out a place I can call my own.

Initially I had intended on traveling to Job and base camping but it appears that it may be a fly in destination complete with cabin?

That ring of islands along the eastern shore has my attention as it would be a wind break. On the other hand the western shore would be in the lee of prevailing westerlies. I will likely be in every nook and cranny before its all over as I am not one to spend all day hanging in camp. August is just around the corner.........should be the best trip yet.

Almost go time.......

No fires I hope.

I have decided to troll my way around Sabourin and into Thicketwood before dropping down on my way back to see some different scenery and sample those waters. Maybe stay a night on each.

I probably have to much fishin equipment (ya think). I am finding out that food for 25 days has some weight to it as well. I will be tripling 3 fairly heavy loads. Not so much worried about getting it across but this will certainly be the heaviest load the little solo has seen (Bell Merlin). She does better with a load but there probably is a point where the weight becomes counterproductive.

I guess I will find out as I have no time for a test run. Just ease along I suppose.

On our month-longs we've found that food is between ? and ½ the weight we carry and we carry a lot of extra stuff. The only solution that I've been able to come up with is dehydrating our food. That has made a huge difference over the years. Take it easy and slow MT, you're going to need your back and your body for the entire trip (and the duration :>)

Have a great time. Last year I did my first long (30 day) solo and, yes, the food weight certainly does add up. I also was triple portaging but it wasn't too bad since most of the portages in that area are mercifully short. The odd mile long portages (Knox) got a little old after 5 trips though.

I loved being out for such a long time. Enjoy yourself!

What entry point are you using?

Alan

My 25 day trip has suddenly become a bit closer to 20 days. The wife wants to go to "marriage encounter" sponsored by our church. To decline might put me into a position where I would actually NEED to go vs. just having a good time. I have nicknamed such events "Husband School". I have done them twice before and they are a good thing with excellent speakers and generally a good time (unless of course your relationship is in crisis).

Yup I will just poke along. Probably no fishing until I get there (Focus lad) and then troll my way through those 2 big lakes on the way back. This is much needed as I feel I am on the verge of a mental deteroriation (lots pf folks would say that happened long ago ;-)..........hard work 7 days a week for months and months and months on end has started to catch up with me. I hate to admit it but my knee and hip has been giving me some "issues" as well. Goes away with some stretching however which is a good thing.

Hopefully the world will still be here when I get back. Things have gone off the rails have they not?

Oh, going in at Lund which seems most practical logistically.

Enjoy your trip!

Just take your time and use your head on the first stretch of the Knox Lake portage. If it's been as wet there as it has in northern Minnesota it could be messy. Or you could pull your stuff through some of it in your canoe. Wear gloves... :). Lots of big water after that . Have fun.

When I did the Knox portage last year I was able to pull over the beaver dam at the main landing and maybe 50-75 yards below that was another landing. Not a huge savings but the 50 yards you skip is soupy so every little bit helps.

Alan

quote Alan Gage: "When I did the Knox portage last year I was able to pull over the beaver dam at the main landing and maybe 50-75 yards below that was another landing. Not a huge savings but the 50 yards you skip is soupy so every little bit helps.


Alan"

I did the same! (and it did help :)

A bit of a snafu last night as I was transferring portage trails from the WCPP "adventure" map to my 3 topo maps.

I have 2 of these park service "adventure" maps. One is several years older than the other. The older version does not include the road to Lund. The newer version is sitting in my shop back in Florida.

So when I started transposing the portages it was a glaring problem that no road to Lund was shown. "How the heck did I miss that" I wondered. So of course I started tackling the problem and immediately went to getting a charter and dropping into the lake the same morning. How sweet would that be?

Not so keen on the whole "no retreat" however and learned a tough lesson back several years ago after Harlan dropped me off at Leano. After I went down I realized I would be unable to self rescue.

After some Internet research I now understand that there is a road to Lund. Somewhat Curious as to the condition of the road.

MT, It's a paved road for the first couple of miles and then will turn to dirt and gravel. The logging companies are up thre and they keep it in fairly good shape. Have your GPS handy or keep your map out s the road forks a couple of times and narrows down to branches slapping your side mirrors as you get closer. The last. mile or so thete is a small sign on the left to point you in the right directiom and the road gets rough after this if I remember correctly. Slow down from 35 to about 10 in here and look for tbe large turnout and park sign on your right. I'm sure folks such as Marten and nctry can give you better intel. Harlan has it memorized and will give you a handwritten map with directions if you ask nicely :)

Last year I was told by Claire that the road to Lund is fine except for the last couple miles; where you should have a 4x4. I didn't so went in at Johnson instead.

Alan

quote Alan Gage: "Last year I was told by Claire that the road to Lund is fine except for the last couple miles; where you should have a 4x4. I didn't so went in at Johnson instead.


Alan"

Well not exactly what I had hoped to hear. I have some clearance but a long wheel base......dual axle but not 4 wheel drive. The bummer is when you get in, decide you would rather not, and there is no place to turn around......my vehicle is not so easy to back up.

I suppose I will just have to go and see for myself.

Well not exactly what I had hoped to hear. I have some clearance but a long wheel base......dual axle but not 4 wheel drive. The bummer is when you get in, decide you would rather not, and there is no place to turn around......my vehicle is not so easy to back up.


I suppose I will just have to go and see for myself. "

You can call Claire at the park office and she'll be happy to give you an up to date report. Maybe she'll tell you good ground clearance would be good enough.

I considered portaging in the last mile or two if the road was too rough but Claire said there was nowhere alongside the road to park. If worse comes to worse the drive to Johnson is an easy one, the lakes you'll paddle through are nice ones, and it only adds a couple days.

Alan

I made it in a CRV last year. Just sayin.

I wouldn't worry. Magicpaddler was back there high and dry was high and dry back there I made it back there. Just might have to be careful. I wouldn't hesitate to go in there with my little two wheel drive truck again.

I will do just what I always do when things get dicey.......just close my eyes and punch it!

Almost go time. Can you say "to much stuff"?

I pared down some fishing stuff (to make room for "other" fishing stuff)............added a couple of rods and another reel but I did drop some clothing options. Still......I wish I had a Prism instead of my beloved Merlin. Little bigger boat would be nice especially on all the big water.

As per my custom I will ease around the shoreline in most conditions. I like the feel of the land slipping away and "reading" the water for rocks and such keeps me engaged. Plus lots better chance of seeing wildlife by paddling around the shoreline. Of course this adds considerable distance but if I have a strong point it is my paddling endurance.

In a remote corner of the left side of my brain I am entertaining the concept of "quadruple portaging" for the first couple of days. Seems foreign and oddly disturbing. I had just come to grips with the idea of tripling and now this. I used to hump prodigious loads on the trap line back in the day and have always been nonchalant about carrying big loads.......but that was then and this is now. Why take a chance especially right out of the chute?

"TOO MUCH STUFF!"

Food for that long, even if most is lightweight dehydrated food, is a load itself. I'll offer up our motto from a couple of years ago - eat the heavy food first ;)

Do what you gotta do and have a good trip. I'm looking forward to the trip report and pictures.

Have a great trip MT! WCPP is an awesome place, hope to get back there next summer. Looking forward to your fishing report.

Have a great trip MT. My wife and I are leaving on Tuesday and will be putting in northeast of you on Thursday. Be sure to stay up and catch the Perseid Meteor shower peaking between August 11 and August 13. Look to the northeast between 2 am and 4 am for the best show.

Between 2 and 4 a.m.? For crying out loud! The troubling part is I know I would dig on it if I set my clock. Besides.....rumor has it I am supposed to do some night fishing on this trip. I know you will be out there Kerry with your new wonderful photo equipment. Please share in case I sleep through it.

Sitting here in the parking lot of the Chocalate Moose in International Falls and just finished a cup of "to go" chili. I had to beg the wait staff to snatch a cup since they had just closed. It went rather well with the 2 bottles of Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA. Hey, I'm on vacation! Man they are proud of their chili.....$7.......can you say "ouch". Good thing I finagled extra crackers.

Will crash right here and in a good position to be on the water sometime in the afternoon. Almost time to get serious......should be a blast.

Hey all
Back at the Chocalate Moose all in one piece. Trip was flat out amazing and it was all I could of hoped for (well except for no big walleye but that's another story :-)

I hope your summer paddling experiences were likewise.

Cheers

quote mastertangler: "Hey all
Back at the Chocalate Moose all in one piece. Trip was flat out amazing and it was all I could of hoped for (well except for no big walleye but that's another story :-)


I hope your summer paddling experiences were likewise.


Cheers"

Glad to hear that your trip went well!

Hey Marten
You were influential in a way you might not of envisioned when you mentioned a big flat rock at the Musclow River. I think you were talking about where the river enters the lake but it planted a seed in the back of my mind and when I had a hard time finding a decent site to stay at for a couple weeks I decided to evaluate another chunk of real estate where the river leaves the lake. Long story short I put in a camp where none had previously existed and probably have close to 4 or 5 full days on it. Lots of work but I would rate it 4 star everything considered. Anyway, it was quite satisfying and would be a big reason for me to return.......it is an ideal location to base camp and fish the lake from. I was so pleased I made a short video and will share it when time permits. Musclow was easily the finest of the various lakes I passed through on this trip, definitely a destination lake (especially if you like catching LOTS of walleye) and enjoy beautiful sunsets!

Welcome home Mt. Looking forward to hearing about your trip.

MT,
It sounds to me like we used the same rock near the exit out to the Bloodvein. When I flopped down there I had just put in my longest paddle ever and pulled out early the next morning. Glad to know it is a real camp now. I was on Walking Stick 8-1to 8-5 so was not too far from you. Looking forward to more on your trip.

Ha! So it was the some place! When I passed it on the way in I was not impressed and spent the night on a 1 star where the fish camp guys have shore lunch (a no-no) but I was desperate. The wind came up in the morning and in the process of paddling to lee to gain the western shoreline I passed back by it and decided to get out and give it a bit harder look.

Marten, Your casual mention of that rock really sort of "made" my trip in more ways than you can imagine. The fishing off that rock was excellent and putting the camp in when wind bound gave me a real feeling of accomplishment. Much like you get, I'm sure, when you put a portage or new route in. Very satisfying!

Thanks to all for the support! I will probably get started on the TR before long. It is a novel and any who actually read the entire thing will gets points to spend at MT Enterprises on-line web site.