Clearwater Lake Loop

Overview

The Clearwater Lake Loop begins and ends at Entry Point 84 on the Snake River, reached by way of Bald Eagle Lake in the Kawishiwi area. From Bald Eagle Lake the route heads east through Gull Lake, Pietro Lake, and Camdre Lake to Clearwater Lake, then returns by a different path through Turtle Lake, closing the loop without retracing water.

Three of the loop's five portages carry real weight: the carries from Camdre into Clearwater, from Clearwater into Turtle, and from Turtle back to Bald Eagle Lake are all individually rated difficult, while the two earlier portages, Gull to Pietro and Pietro to Camdre, stay short and moderate. Camdre Lake itself is a small, boggy pass-through partway along the route rather than a stopping point. Clearwater Lake, at the loop's far point, is the destination that gives the route its name.

This loop suits groups ready for a harder return leg after an easy start, since the difficulty concentrates in the back half of the trip rather than spreading evenly. Bald Eagle Lake, close to the landing, carries enough campsites for a first or last night without pushing straight into the harder carries, while Clearwater and Turtle Lakes both hold camps further along the loop, giving the route room for either a 3 or 4 day trip.

Route Highlights

• Three consecutive difficult-rated portages carry the loop's return leg: Camdre to Clearwater, Clearwater to Turtle, and Turtle back to Bald Eagle Lake
• Clearwater Lake, the loop's namesake and far point, reached past Camdre Lake's boggy pass-through
• Bald Eagle Lake's campsites near the landing, giving groups room for a night before or after the loop's harder carries