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boonie
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I was also going to suggest just staying on Sawbill (or Kelso) if you find a site. You have good day trip options from there - Kelso River for the dolmen, Alton, Smoke, etc. I stayed on site 912 there and 924 on Burnt while doing the Baker-Cherokee-Sawbill-Baker loop. Smoke may have been full when I went through . . .
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Traveler
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I spent 4 nights at site 916 on the north end of Sawbill. Loved it.
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bottomtothetap
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I'm going to second what Michwall2 said about staying on Sawbill.
We entered there once with many of the same questions you have and hit the water with a plan to go over to Smoke/Burnt/Fire. We ended up staying on Sawbill at one site for the entire three nights of our trip. Sawbill was nice, the fishing was OK (hooked into a HUGE northern that I got to the canoe and had a hand on before it just bent the hook out of it's mouth with one shake of his big head and was gone) there was plentiful wildlife (including otters) and the lack of any portages was relaxing.
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landoftheskytintedwater
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I'd just let the wind forecast help you make your decision. IMO, the campsites are nicer between the north end of Sawbill and Alton than going east, plus less portaging. Once on Alton, you could hike the portages for day trips or paddle up to Kelso (could also do that if you are on Sawbill).
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joeandali
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You really can't go wrong with any of those choices. I enjoyed my stay on Kelso. We stayed on a nice site on the northern end (not the northern most site) and felt like we had the lake to ourselves.
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LobTrees
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Getting very excited for an upcoming four night trip. I am an experienced BWCA paddler. The balance of the crew is my wife and nine year old son who have one trip, and my 68 year old father with one trip. I want to stay relatively close to Sawbill so we easily adjust for weather conditions.
Here is my debate: Do I go to Alton/possibly Kelso or do I head east to Smoke/Burnt? I have passed through Alton, but never camped. Advantages are short, easy portages. Disadvantage is bigger water so wind and waves may be more challenging. I have never been to Smoke/Burnt.
I’m not concerned with managing the few portages, but they are. Fewer campsites so concerned about availability as well. I also don’t know how the fishing is over there, but would like to throw a few in the pan. Not serious fisherman in our crowd so just pulling out some panfish or a few pike is adequate (we do eat pike, it’s really good).
Looking for any insights you all may have to help guide me. Ultimately will depend on the forecast but you don’t know what you don’t know so here I am asking.
Thanks all.
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Michwall2
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First, don't discount staying on Sawbill. The northern end of Sawbill can get you away from the crowds. Sawbill has a great fishery. With the narrows on Sawbill, it really acts like 3 smaller lakes. Only those headed to Cherokee or looking for a site themselves visit the very northern section of Sawbill.
My vote otherwise would be for the Smoke or Burnt direction. I have stayed on Burnt twice. There are very nice campsites there and the fishery is a good one.
If I were to stay on Alton, I think I would head to the southern reaches. It would give you some shelter from the wind. You are right to be concerned about the wind on Alton. I have spent more than one crossing bobbing like a cork out there.
Another destination I would consider is Beth Lake (go southwest out of Alton). It is a wonderful clear water lake with lots of smb. Campsites can be at a premium here though. Again, you would have to be willing to risk crossing Alton. The earlier in the day the better.
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