I'm planning a trip in late Aug. from Mudro thru Horse, Horse River, Crooked, out Friday bay, thru Papoose, Wagosh, Gun, Fourtown.
Any insight into water levels in Horse river? fishing? portages?
Thanks!

Portages-

Mudro to Sandpit has a real tough downhill just before you get to Sandpit. Sandpit to TCM and TCM to Horse are both easy as can be and wide. They are across old railroad beds.

Horse river might be getting low with the lack of rain. I have not been there since last year so can't say for sure. Plan on extra portages and some lining-pulling of canoes in shallow rocky areas.

Portages around Basswood Falls are not too bad.

Be careful between Wednesday and Thursday Bay through the narrows-lots of current flow through here and may surprise you and spin you around if you aren't prepared. Be sure to see the pictos on Crooked Lake after you pass the falls.

There is an old car along the Canadian Shore north of Friday bay. It is in a narrow section between an island that is shaped like an "L" on its side and the Canadian shore. You can see it from the water-go see it if you have time.

Friday Bay to Papoose Creek is a little tough at first but easy after the uphill.

Wagosh to Gun is long but not tough and a wide path to follow.

All portages between Gun and Fourtown are easy. A couple of possibly tough landings but pretty easy.

The three portages Fourtown to Mudro are probably the toughest of the trip. First one not bad, middle on the toughest, last one a little harder than the first. Picket Creek may require some walking near the end, but the last portage is a piece of cake as you will remember from entering.

Fourtown also has an old truck back in the woods north east of the three campsites at the southern part of the lake. There is small bay with some pilings filled with boulders. Back in the woods after you cross a big field is the truck, some iron beds and other artifacts.

Have fun and hopefully someone can fill in the blanks regarding the fishing and water levels.

Thanks for the great input, bogwalker.

We're planning a Friday - Monday trip (1/2 day paddling on both Fri and Mon; full days on Sat-Sun).

The plan is to head N through Horse, West on Crooked, then South through Friday bay and Gun Lake area (counter-clockwise, so to speak), thinking we'd be going with the current in Horse river. Of course, we'll risk heading into Westerly winds on Crooked.

What has been your experience with the current & wind on these lakes? And have you taken the reverse route of what I've outlined above?

Thanks!!!

I have been the entire route but never in one trip.

You will be going with what current there is on Horse-you really do not have too much big water outside of your time on Crooked which can be bad if it is windy.

I have taken Horse Lake and River up to the Falls and I have come from Iron and then down through Friday bay and Wagosh, Gun, Fourtown and out Mudro on a different trip. So although I have never doen the trip completely-I have taken the entire thing. You are going with any current until you get down from Friday Bay into Papoose Creek, but that current is so imperceptable that it does not matter much.

Lots to see and do along this route. Basswood Falls, Pictos on Crooked, Car at Cadillac Narrows on Crooked, Truck at SE end of Fourtown. Have fun and enjoy the trip.

Hey RedCanoe...
I've done that trip as Bog has.... parts of it in two different trips... I agree with the advice on the portages except my expeirence on the the Gun--Wagosh (THIS YEAR) was considered our worst because it was SO d--med hot....

I thought the Fourtown to Mudro 3 were alot easier ...probably because we did them early in the morning and on our last day....so....although you hate for your trip to end, you are at the same time, anticipating the return home, and things might seem better...

The year I was on the Horse River it was low (the end of July) but regardless, a GOOD trip...

I love the Crooked and Basswood Falls area....and Chainsaw Sisters Saloon is a GREAT end...
Sounds like a lot of paddling and covering alot of ground... may the Gods be with you...for good weather and good times....
Have fun and good luck

Woodpecker

RedCanoe, I called Chainsaw Sisters Saloon this past Thursday and was told that the water level is down about two feet on the Horse River. I will be going in on 8/14. I will write an update on 8/22.

I just got back from a trip from entry 16 Nina Moose river up through Agnes to Iron, Crooked, Horse River through Fourtown and out Mudro. The water is way...down, probably two feet. I would avoid the Horse River. We had to get out and pick up our canoes about 8 times over boulders. If your planning on fishing hit up Wheelbarrow Falls. My brother and I fished it for 10 mins and already had a handful of bass and a northern.

If you go in or out through Mudro be prepared to drag or portage your canoe for a bit. I had to get out and pull my canoe the last 200 yards before Chain Saw Sisters.