I have been through some of the toughest portages (L-10) in the BW but this will be my first on Tusc. From what I have read it is fairly long but well traveled and not very difficult but then some other reviews are the complete opposite. I know people have different opinions but for those of you who have experienced a true L-10 you know what I mean.

How does this one rate?

Is it easier from one direction or the other?

Well-used, moderate difficulty (mostly because of length), some hilly sections. No big deal, unless you are new to portaging, unfit, or travel heavy.

quote arctic: "Well-used, moderate difficulty (mostly because of length), some hilly sections. No big deal, unless you are new to portaging, unfit, or travel heavy."

What Arctic said. Just don't strain your calf muscle like I did. That made for a long portage. Ouch.

can you explain "L-10"? level 10? if thats what you mean, where can i view this scale?

There are also a couple of rocky and root strewn sections. Not terrible but not a flat walk by any means.

quote kanoes: "can you explain "L-10"? level 10? if thats what you mean, where can i view this scale?"

Kanoes I have a book Exploring the Boundary Waters by Daniel Pauly
It's a pretty good resource of info and in his book he uses this scale for portages L-1 being the least and L-10 being the most difficult.

If you not familiar with this book I suggest you check it out, it comes in handy when planning trips. The book covers almost every route in the BW and breaks them down very well.

I suggest this book to anyone planning a BW adventure.

Do you mean, Tuscarora to Missing Link?

butthead

Not terrible portage, but, I would rather take it missing link to tuscarora than tuscarora to missing link.

L-10? good lord are we becoming like rock climbers now? save me. little old ladies in knickers could take this trail. it is long, and boring, that's about it.

quote deepwood: "Not terrible portage, but, I would rather take it missing link to tuscarora than tuscarora to missing link."

I agree, the climb at the start of the portage makes it harder going tusc to missing link.

quote jwartman59: "L-10? good lord are we becoming like rock climbers now? save me. little old ladies in knickers could take this trail. it is long, and boring, that's about it. "

jwartman59 this website rates all portages as well with a scale of 1-10
and they have it as a 9.

It sounds like this portage is fairly easy just long.

quote togue: "

quote deepwood: "Not terrible portage, but, I would rather take it missing link to tuscarora than tuscarora to missing link."

I agree, the climb at the start of the portage makes it harder going tusc to missing link."

deepwood, "hehe!" :p

I did this portage last year. I would not say it is difficult in terms of climbing or overly rocky, quite a smooth path for the most part. The difficulty is that it is annoyingly long and seems to never go in a straight line. Up, down, up, down, left, right, down, up, left... argh!

There are a few spots to rest on the side of the portage that I made use of. Unless you plan on staying the night on Tusc I recomend double portaging it. You can save some energy and the hike back to get your gear for round two is very senic.

It is a really cool portage. But when it is rainy and muddy, big stretches of it are slogging in knee high mud.

I love this portage- because it keeps most people away!

We will be taking it for this first time this year. After bushwhacking through a PMA in the heart of the blowdown I suspect we will view this as pretty easy.