CLOVE LAKE CAMPSITES: Campsite 1: (#438) - North end of the lake Campsite 2: (#440) - East side of the lake next to the Pine River portage (it's actually connected to the portage)
Campsite 3: (#439) - Southwest part of lake near the Larch Lake portage
Clove Lake has clear water and is surrounded by high ridges and hills, making it very scenic. The lake is easily reached by an approximately one hour paddle (with lots of beaver dams) down Larch Creek and then across relatively small Larch Lake. There is only one permit allowed per day through the Larch Creek Entry Point, so Clove Lake often has available campsites. The campsite on the north end of the lake has a fantastic sand beach. The campsite just north of the mouth of Larch Creek on the western shoreline has fabulous views. The western campsite on Pine Island isn't as spectacular, but is still a good campsite.
The American side (west side) of Clove Lake was burned by the 2007 Ham Lake Fire. Most of the Canadian side escaped the wrath of this huge fire.
Water enters Clove Lake from the Pine River on the east side of the lake through two channels on the north and south sides of Pine Island. Clove Lake is where the Pine River has its mouths. Larch Creek flows into the southwest part of Clove Lake. Larch Creek also has its mouth at Clove Lake. The Granite River flows out of the north end of Clove Lake over a pretty set of rapids.
A couple of day trips you could do if base camping on Clove Lake would be up the Pine River heading south (the Pine River flows north) to Little Rock Falls. Going north there are some scenic rapids along the portage between Clove Lake at the start of the Granite River. Further north, the Granite River flows through narrow rocky gorges.
Fishing is so-so in Clove Lake with the usual northern pike, smallmouth bass and walleye present.
The portage from Larch Lake to Clove Lake is flat, short and easy to walk. The portage across Pine Island into the Pine River on the east side of the lake is longer, but also very easy. The short portage into the Granite River at the north end of the lake is a bit rocky, but the views of the rapids make up for it.
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PADDLING FROM THE LARCH LAKE (LARCH CREEK) PORTAGE TO BWCA CAMPSITE 438
Canoeing from the mouth of Larch Creek to the excellent campsite on the north end of Clove Lake. Visit BWCA Campsite 438 -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM BWCA CAMPSITE 438 TO THE GRANITE RIVER PORTAGE
Leave the campsite and follow the shore southeast. Keeping following the shoreline a it bends around towards the north east as you enter a narrow channel. The shoreline on the right is Canada. The channel briefly widens a bit and then narrows again as you approach the Granite River portage. The portage is on the left (American side), just above the head of the rapids. Portage to the Granite River -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE GRANITE RIVER PORTAGE TO BWCA CAMPSITE 440/PINE RIVER PORTAGE
Paddle through the narrow northeastern arm of Clove Lake towards the southwest. As you enter the main part of Clove Lake, turn south and follow the eastern shoreline (left side). The east shoreline is Canada. When you see a boulder field along the shoreline (23:50 mark in video), you are actually looking at the mouth of the Pine River, but there is no visible water because of near drought-like conditions. Just a short distance south of the Pine River's mouth you will come to the campsite. The campsite is actually located on Pine Island, a large island formed by two channels of the Pine River. The campsite is right next to the Pine Portage which connects Clove Lake and the Pine River. Visit BWCA Campsite 440 -or- Portage to the Pine River -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
PADDLING FROM THE BWCA CAMPSITE 440/PINE RIVER PORTAGE TO THE LARCH LAKE/LARCH CREEK PORTAGE
Canoeing almost due west across Clove Lake to the mouth of Larch Creek. Portage to Larch Lake -or- Explore Another Route **********************************************END OF ROUTE***********************************************
