Have done each of those areas last summer and the summer before that.  The only beaver dam problem I know is from the unnamed heading north into Kahs.  The first few hundred yards heads through some shin-deep muck through the meadow/swamp on the east side. 

I noticed at least a couple more beaver dams heading from North Bay into Isabella.  I left PP as a solo that morning and by the time I got to Isabella I was quite beat...never made it through Side till the next day.

That 3-portage creek route from Side to Sarah is more scenic and easier in my view than the tough up and over portage into Sarah. 

The portage from Point to Isabella is a 24 rod portage that is fairly straightforward.  There's some nice smallie action in Point btw.

I've stayed at the campsite RC on Sarah.  Very nice and good windbreak from a west or north wind.    My favorite site on McIntyre is LH.  Good views to the east, great sunrise in the morning, laker fishing as you head north from camp, and a message cache to the north in the woods.

Hope this helps you out.

The northern end o fthe portage from Point to a nonamer east of Side is a swamp for perhaps the last 100 meters. So, if you are going that direction, its probably easier to do the extra port into Isabella before turning west into that lake.  (BTW:  That nonamer has lakers along the SE shore.)

dd

Good information. Thanks Solus & Prouboy.
I'll probably take the route through Isabella, just because Isabella creek is so pretty. I seem to recall the portage north out of Isabella to the unnamed lake starts out with a steep and rocky climb. Good for the circulation!
Happy paddling everyone!
WiF
PS anyone else have comments, or favorite sites on Sarah or McIntyre area...

The beaver dam break was in the pond at the south end of the Kahshahpiwi portage. It's been a while since I've done the other portages, I remember sections  as somewhat difficult due to lack of traffic more than anything else

I've taken the Isabella route over to Sarah within the last couple years, and have had no problems.  I can't comment on the Nest/Point route as I've never taken it. 

The portage from Side to Sarah is a real pain, IMO, but at least it's the last one.  And arriving on Sarah, one of the prettiest lakes in the QP, makes all the work worthwhile!

Good luck.

prouboy

I am thinking of taking the route around White Island in North Bay, north through Nest, Point, Side, and then into Sarah. Haven't been through there in more than 10 yrs and I recall reading about a beaver dam break that caused a problem. Anyone know the condition of the portages along this route? Will going through Isabella avoid the problem?

Haven't posted here in a long time, but have enjoyed lurking and reading the threads.
Thanks in advance,
WiF