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Author	Message Text
ScottMacFish	01/26/2018 02:13PM   Hello All, I received some great information on entry points 68, 69 and 70 in my last note, so now I have a follow up question Have any of you taken both routes into West Pike or better asked what s your opinion on tang the 3/4 mile portage with over 300 feet in elevation versus 2 portages that are a combined 30% longer but basically flat? Remember this is with my 12 year old daughter and may have my 8 year old son with us this year - we did the "nasty long uphill" portage last year - thinking the other way in may be easier! Anyone have some first hand knowledge of both routes? As always thanks for any feedback!!!!
Bannock	01/26/2018 10:01PM   tree: "i'd take john to east pike then to west pike. the portages are medium long but very lovely. another option is to enter clearwater and do one portage to west pike. also a very lovely portage." +1
Grizzlyman	01/27/2018 10:12AM   +1 on John. John is a nice little lake- a pretty paddle and is BWCA- McFarland is not. Both are good though. Maybe take one In and one out.
tree	01/26/2018 02:58PM   i'd take john to east pike then to west pike. the portages are medium long but very lovely. another option is to enter clearwater and do one portage to west pike. also a very lovely portage.
carmike	01/29/2018 08:30PM   As others have said, I think John is preferable. The portage is easier than the one from McFarland into East Pike.
bposteve	01/30/2018 10:26AM   If your main concern is getting to West Pike I'd enter at Clearwater. It's a longish, but very easy portage and you'll get there much quicker. As an added bonus you can grab burgers, malts, and beers at Trail Center when you exit. If you do want to go through the Arrowhead side there is technically no permit to enter from McFarland to East Pike. I know there is supposed to be a portage there (never seen it myself) but the only entry point you can get a permit to enter from McFarland is to Pine lake. You could also go that route-Pine to West Pike. It's a long portage, but just fine if it's the only permit you can grab for your date.