Enter at Fall Lake, travel through Newton Lake and into Pipestone Bay of Basswood. Bringing up a group of 1st timers, so that doesn't seem like too hard of travel. Any spots to check out in the area?

How is the portage from Fall into Newton/Newton Falls? Same with portage from Newton into Pipestone Bay? Looks like those are connected by water, but are they totally unnavigable?

Also, how is the wildlife? I was thinking a big bear rug would be nice to have to lay on and stargaze...

Two easy portages. Can use portage wheels on both of them. The first portage is around a dam, the second around Pipestone Falls. They are NOT navagible. Good fishing in Pipestone bay, lots of boat & motor noise & traffic.

Yes both very easy...could almost drive a car over them. I usually dont fish Fall or Newton lake. But just start fishing the shoreline below Pipestone Falls. Lots of boats and lots of people but the fishing is great.

There is a small shortcut from Newton to Pipestone. You can get to it if the water is high enough. You go alittle past the landing on the right theres a small trail. Very rocky for BWCA, but almost a normal portage for Quetico.

Explore a bit further...go into Jackfish Bay and up to Basswood Falls. Take lunch, raingear regardless of the weather, and start early.

Very easy paddle from Fall to Pipestone. As mentioned above, the portages are necessary. Fishing below Newton Falls is pretty good but I never found much around Pipestone Falls that was very deep to hold fish later in the year. Nice campsite directly across from the Newton-Pipestone portage, but you will see a lot of people. Picture of Pipestone Falls..

JD

I have made this trip about 10 times, sometimes with 1st timers and some with wives. All the things the guys before me have told you is right on the money. I prefer to go up to Lewis Narrows near the northern part of Pipestone for some deeper water and good campsites. Easy trip generally around 3 1/2 hours up to the Narrows area, if you stay near Pipestone Falls probably 2 hours or less. One last thing, I always thought about fishing Newton but never have and as we were paddling out last year we watched an older guy bring in about a 7 pound walleye near the last bend before you hit Newton Falls coming back in. Newton may be worth a try if you can get a campsite, but there will be boat traffic.