Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Entry Point of the Week: EP 62 Clearwater
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Spartan2 |
DuluthisHome: " Can you actually paddle to the shore below and find the trail to climb to the top? If so, send me details. Beautiful area and lake. Check out the historic Clearwater Lodge too...you wont be disappointed. " Yes, you can paddle up to the shore and find the trail to climb to the top. We did it in 1996, and last summer Spartan1 did the climb with our 16-year-old granddaughter. She is the one who took the "view" photo in my post. |
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thegildedgopher |
And you can see the spot we caught this Laker from in Spartan2's photo from atop the palisades!!! |
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cyclones30 |
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bposteve |
Agree with comments above in this thread that the topography here is really stunning. |
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Speckled |
Johnson Falls is worth the paddle and hike. Note: There's a second larger falls further up the trail. Many people stop at the first one only the first one. This part of the BWCA is the only area I've ever had trouble finding a campsite. It's happened twice in four trips. One trip in particular, we paddled through a total of 4 different lakes and past 17 campsites to find them all taken. We then stopped to ponder our options, after floating about 15 minutes, we heard the unmistakable sound of aluminum on rock. We paddled back to the last campsite to find the group packed and heading out. It was a relief. The other time was very similiar, multiple lakes, all sites taken, eventually we came across an open one and snagged it. These trips were during a busy time, last weekend in August and mid month September. |
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schweady |
We stayed in the bunkhouse at Clearwater Lodge, and it was not our favorite. Noisy neighbors, a tendency toward a lack of privacy, and a feeling that the staff was less attentive to the needs of their bunkhouse guests than those at the lodge. However, sitting on the lodge porch and enjoying the lake view was a delight enjoyed by all of us. We also enjoyed breakfast in the lodge dining room before heading out, and that was quite good. Our research led us to believe that we wanted to base on one of the 3 easternmost sites, but they were all occupied, so we backtracked to site #681, just the third one in out of the seven on the lake. As it turned out, it was an excellent spot. It is situated in a small bay and faces east, so it is a bit off the beaten track. Plus, that bay was home to a loon couple that was constantly out teaching their young... a real pleasure to sit by the fire and watch, intimately learning every behavior. Two day trips were on the schedule during the two full days we stayed. The first day's trip was to Johnson Falls, about a 6 mile, 3 hour one-way trip through Caribou, Little Caribou, and Pine Lakes. One the second day, we paddled over to the Mountain Lake portage and took the hike to both the west and east overlooks. On both days, we encountered the infamous Westerly Winds of Clearwater, and it was a pretty good effort paddling back to camp; about 3 hours and 45 minutes coming back from the falls. I'm sure that we will return, as it is a great basecamp choice for aging paddlers such as ourselves. |
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JD |
We also took a tow from Clearwater Lodge to the West Pike portage just to make the most of our short trip, but because we left early and couldn't reach them, we paddled back with a stiff tailwind and got to enjoy the scenery. Clearwater is honestly a beautiful lake and I wouldn't mind base camping there for a few days hunting down lake trout every day and sitting by a fire every night. I have every intention of going back. |
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mooseplums |
On a fall solo a few years ago, I heard a commotion in the woods along the shore lots of crashing and grunting. I began doing a grunt call for a few minutes. The woods got quiet for a few moments so I gave another grunt in cupped hands. All of a sudden, crashing headed through the woods, soon a moose appeared onto the lakeshore.. Very cool area, with lots of trip possibilities. |
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adam |
This weeks focus is Entry Point 62 - Clearwater Lake. Take a few minutes to explore trip reports and maps, or reply with your perspective on the Clearwater Lake EP. If you haven't done so, take a minute to rate campsites and portages or post photos, places of interest, wildlife sitings, etc on the map. EP 62 Trip Reports EP 62 Map |
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Spartan1 |
Spartan2: "DuluthisHome: " Can you actually paddle to the shore below and find the trail to climb to the top? If so, send me details. Beautiful area and lake. Check out the historic Clearwater Lodge too...you wont be disappointed. " From another thread. Just before you get to the talus by the shore. Might have to look a bit, not too obvious from a distance. Very little room at the landing, may have to tie the canoe while climbing, Neil |
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Spartan2 |
Johnson Falls is a great place to stop. The upper falls are lovely: But the lower ones are the most photographed. I understand that a lot of people swim in the pool under this waterfall, but we never were bold enough to try it. The Palisades are striking. If you have time, find the trail at the bottom of the biggest one and make the climb up to the top. The view is a stunning one Some of my favorite lakes and sites are in this area, accessed by Clearwater Entry Point. Pine Lake, John Lake, Mountain Lake, Little Caribou (there is a unique campsite on LC--the only one), and Caribou. To top that off, Clearwater Lodge is a historic treasure. They have outfitting there, and bunkhouses, plus some great little B&B rooms in the beautiful old lodge (with a yummy breakfast), or even a group of outstanding cabins right on the lake. |
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DuluthisHome |
We got to take a few hours kayaking 1/2 the lake up to the base of the Palisades. Can you actually paddle to the shore below and find the trail to climb to the top? If so, send me details. Beautiful area and lake. Check out the historic Clearwater Lodge too...you wont be disappointed. Sorry, I don't have any insight about portages or campsites, but someday we'll get to explore more! Paddle On!! |
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straighthairedcurly |
Note that the north-south portages in this area are steep up, then steep down. Portages oriented east-west tend to be pretty flat. |