Does anyone know how bad the campsites on lakes 2 and 3 are affected by the Pagami Creek fire? It looks on the map like lake 3 is totally burned on all sides, lake 2 partially burned on the southeast side. Is it worth camping there or not?

Campsite status map campsites

Just came from the Isabella lake area and there was actually more areas of green than I thought. The numbered lake chain?

Some sites are a total loss & closed, but they did a great job saving most of the sites. I stayed on a site on Lake 3 last year & all areas around the back side of camp were burned, but while sitting in camp looking around, you would never know a fire went through. The south end is the worst.

Something that I get out of burnt areas is that I see things a long ways away from the shore,like unique rock formations etc.. Also interesting looking at and trying to figure out why some areas burnt,and some did not?

While were at it has anybody seen the Wilder lakes and was that a complete burn or partial around those lakes. Was some nice big pines around that area.

I'm going into this area over Memorial Day. I will try to post some pictures when I get back on Tuesday the 28th.

quote Brent: "I'm going into this area over Memorial Day. I will try to post some pictures when I get back on Tuesday the 28th."

That would be awesome - have a great trip!

quote PINETREE: "Something that I get out of burnt areas is that I see things a long ways away from the shore,like unique rock formations etc.. Also interesting looking at and trying to figure out why some areas burnt,and some did not?


While were at it has anybody seen the Wilder lakes and was that a complete burn or partial around those lakes. Was some nice big pines around that area."

When we paddled past the USFS had signs posted on the creek leading to N. Wilder saying the area was closed to travel. Don't know if that has changed, but I would be willing to bet there are no longer campsites left. That area was some of the hardest hit we seen.

Thanks,I see from last fall 2012 map campsites were all closed on the Wilder lakes.
Maybe this spring they will reopen. I know on Isabella lake most of the closed campsites from last fall were to reopen shortly this spring.

Heading that same way this weekend. Will pack a camera.

How are the island sites on Lake 3? Did they get hammered as well, or did the fire more or less stay contained to the mainland?

Check the maps as they do indicate what is open and what is not. I camped on the two sites coming out of Lake 2 into Lake 3 in October, 2012. I would prefer the first of the two. Only the southern end of Lake 3 had major burn, most of the campsites were saved with burn area often close. The site I preferred has several years of good firewood within a short walk. See photo.
I agree with PINETREE that looking back into the burnt areas things sure look different. I had the sense mother nature lost her clothes. Some nice things to see, but some of the other, too.

quote PINETREE: "Thanks,I see from last fall 2012 map campsites were all closed on the Wilder lakes.
Maybe this spring they will reopen. I know on Isabella lake most of the closed campsites from last fall were to reopen shortly this spring."

The FS told me that there is one campsite on each of those lakes southeast of Lake Three (& up to south of Hudson) that have been opened so far.

quote VoyageurNorth: "

quote PINETREE: "Thanks,I see from last fall 2012 map campsites were all closed on the Wilder lakes.
Maybe this spring they will reopen. I know on Isabella lake most of the closed campsites from last fall were to reopen shortly this spring."

The FS told me that there is one campsite on each of those lakes southeast of Lake Three (& up to south of Hudson) that have been opened so far."

Thanks for the info,
I know they wanted to get into some of those and other areas early this spring and open campsites,but iceout was so late.
Like late last fall I seen new latrines sitting at the campsites on the Island river waiting to get installed.

I just got back today from Insula. Yesterday I ran into 4 Forest Service Employees who were out getting those sites back up and running. I ran into them on Hudson lake but I'm assuming they were replacing Latrines on the numbered lakes as well. I think there are more open sites than the non updated USFS webpage shows.

Thanks for posting that. I'll check with Becca (Ely FS) on Monday and see what the news is.