I have a group of probably 6 guys that are interested in doing a 4 day loop this fall. We are fine with a couple long portages at the beginning if that will help with the solitude. We are looking for scenery and unique areas. Any suggestions?

The third week of September 2003, my group of 6 went from Round lake through Brant to Gillis, the little Saganaga and then back to Tuscarora lake. I wanted to to do the route backwards and we had an extra few days. If I was going to do it in four days I would go in reverse and down Tuscarora portage on the first day.

Except for 2 groups on Gillis lake and having one group pass our site on Little Sag, we had a lot of solitude on the trip.

I have done the same loop, but in July and we rarely had solitude. If you go after Labor Day you should be fine.

If you take the route going in Tuscarora first make sure the last day you get to Bat early as there are no more campsites between Bat and Brant. With only 3 sites on Brant you run the risk of getting there and having no sites leaving yourself no option but to head out early. If it is mid-late September you may have no problem, but if you try for Bat, and all those sites are filled you can go back to Gillis where you certainly should find one. Its about 4 hours from Bat to Round and the exit. Lots of portaging with little paddling that last day.

Thanks for the suggestions. One of the others in the group asked if we could do a loop out of the Mudro entry. I think we will end up going up the horse river and around through Friday Bay and down again. I was wondering if it makes much difference which direction we go? Should we go up the Horse or up through Boot? Also wondering if there are any campsites that anybody would highly recommend on that route. If we have 4 days for this loop is that enough time to spend one day relaxing? or will we need to keep moving at a pretty good pace?

The loop can be done in three but that is aggressive. I would go up Horse and come out through Fourtown to avoid the Sandpit to Mudro portage going the tougher way, plus you'll be travelling with the Horse river current going that way.

day 1 Mudro to Wednesday Bay Crooked Lake. Fairly long day and you run the risk of lots of campsites being used. If water levels are low I might stop on Horse lake Day 1 to avoid your first day and all the work Horse River might be and then getting to Basswood Falls and no campsites. Don't forget the pictos on Crooked and Cadillac narrows at the top of Friday Bay

Day 2 Friday Bay Crooked lake-a short day but after day 1 you will appreciate it. If you have a little more energy try to get to Wagosh Lake. Nice quiet lake but the campsite will be pretty cozy for a party of 6. If you stop on Horse day 1 get to Thursday or Friday Bay today.

Day 3 Head for Fourtown and go north when you get to the main part of the lake. Nice sites and quiet up at that end compared to the south end. Take the afternoon to explore the artifacts and old truck at the south end.

Day 4 out.

For a 4 day loop with layover get to Wednesday Bay day 1, Friday Bay or Wagosh for camp 2 and then exit from Wagosh or Friday Bay. The first and last days will be the longest.