This is my first time posting, but I can't tell you how much I appreciate this site...a lot of great information!

I just finished building a Cedar Strip Canoe and I am itching to get it up to the BWCA. I haven't been up for about 19 years, so it has been a while! I am planning on taking my wife (her first trip) and our dog. We would like to see Johnson Falls. EP 64 (East Bearskin) is full for when we want to go in July, but I can get a reservation for EP 62 (Clearwater). We are going for 3 nights and we plan on base camping and doing some day trips.

But I have a couple of questions:

1. How difficult is the portage between Clearwater and Caribou?
2. Are there decent campsites in this area? A lot of people mention the campsite on Little Caribou, but assuming this is full, are other sites in this area decent?
3. Will this be a good experience for my newbie wife?

Any advice and suggestions would be appreciated!

portage info

Portage is a little tricky....read the comments. Caribou has good sites. It's easy in/out to Little Caribou if site is full. Pretty little portage to Pine. Some nice sites on Pine but bigger water to paddle. Decent hike up to Johnson Falls but worth the effort. Pine to Canoe portage is good trail but long and hilly. Canoe has couple good sites as does Crystal and Pierz. Alder has good sites and you could loop back through East Bearskin, Moon, Deer if need be....those portages aren't bad. You may need all the options cuz this is a busy area during peak of summer.

Con, you don't say when you are going. Caribou is a very nice lake, pretty and with good fishing. It is also an easy daytrip to Johnson Falls which are definitely worth it. If you could get the site on Little Caribou you will be lucky but good sites on Caribou as well.

The portage from Clearwater to Caribou is a challenge but nothing terrible. There are a couple turnoffs that you want to get right, other than that just plan on a long walk through the woods.

Here is a trip report from the area which shows some Caribou Lake scenery as well as Johnson Falls, and info on how we did not make the right turns on the portage.

Clearwater, Caribou and beyond

Think you will enjoy it.

That is an excellent entry...very informative!

We have an EP reservation for July 6th.