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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Portaging to Pietro Lake
 
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tomke17
01/21/2020 12:08AM
 
My dad and I did this loop when he was 68. (3 years ago) it was challenging, especially the wind on the big lakes and the portage from bald eagle to gull. There is really only one ok campsite on pietro. It is the furthest to the west. It is a little swampy and has no mature trees due to the pagami fire. If you can camp on the island on gull you might be better off. That was our plan but it was taken. Let me know if you have more questions.
 
billconner
01/16/2020 05:54AM
 
I've been through it a couple of times in last 5 or 6 years, and believe the two western most are open. Call USFS to be sure. The ones on Gull and Clearwater are open.


I would think leaving 33 early and double portaging you'd be there soon after noon. It's a kind of long slog from Bald Eagle to Gull but maybe 45 minutes to an hour double.
 
Dupper
01/15/2020 08:36PM
 
My group is considering Pietro Lake as an option for this years trip. We are at least average paddlers and and mostly around 50 years old and some not in great shape. We are wondering what the trek from entry point 33 to Pietro is like? Rough portages? I read on one post it takes around 4-5 hours to make it to Pietro. Have any of you had a similar experience of this time frame? I forget the entry point but last year we went up the Nina Moose river through Agnes to Boulder Bay LLC. Do any of you know how the trip to Pietro compares to this? Any info on this is much appreciated as we have very little time to make a decision before permits open. Thanks!
 
Dupper
01/15/2020 09:07PM
 
Also, will this be the best route to get to Pietro Lake?
 
Dupper
01/16/2020 04:58AM
 
Do you know if the campsites have all been rebuilt?
 
tumblehome
01/15/2020 10:29PM
 
Keep in mind that the entire perimeter of this lake burned out about 10 years ago. It was a gorgeous lake before the turtle lake fire. It will be again in the future.
Tom
 
DougD
01/16/2020 09:26PM
 
From the time we step out of our car to landing at a campsite on Pietro is usually 6 hours. This is with double portages.