I'm planning a day trip while we're in the area this week (entering at E Bearskin #64) and I'm wondering if the path to Johnson Falls is in decent shape after all the storms this summer?

My friend was there with her two young kids mid-July and they didn't go down to the falls because of the condition of the trail.

Mocha made it sound like a crew was going to be working on it at some point however.... ??

Thanks, Lindsey. Do you know if they actually went there and saw it first hand or did they hear that it was impassible and not even go up there?

I'm worried that since it's not an actual portage, that it might have been skipped by the crews. Plus the fact that another big storm hit in July might have diverted some of the resources.

If we can't reach the falls it would be really disappointing since it's really the main reason we chose that route this year :(

On July 20th we were on Pine and went to Johnson Falls. At that time it was very muddy and there were many trees down that had to be climbed over. It was not the easiest trail but not the worst either- mostly tree trunks to climb over, not the brushy tops to fight through. We only got to the lower portion, did not try to get to the upper because of time.

We met a couple who walked over from Canoe, and they said they were glad they did not try to bring the canoe across.

Early the next morning the last storm went through. We were on Caribou at the time, and I would guess the winds were similar at Johnson Falls. So my guess would be that a few more trees are down at the falls. I have not heard about cleanup on that trail. Maybe you could try calling Clearwater Lodge. A lot of people go thru there to the falls.

quote caribouluvr: "Thanks, Lindsey. Do you know if they actually went there and saw it first hand or did they hear that it was impassible and not even go up there?


I'm worried that since it's not an actual portage, that it might have been skipped by the crews. Plus the fact that another big storm hit in July might have diverted some of the resources.


If we can't reach the falls it would be really disappointing since it's really the main reason we chose that route this year :("

They also went in on E.Bearskin, camped at Canoe, then made their way up to Little Caribou/Caribou via Pine Portage, so they passed it, and decided not do do it. They also said the portage from Canoe/Caribou/Little Caribou was slow going.

Again they had 3-5 year olds with them.... so perhaps if it was just them they would have gone? My guess is that they didn't go down there b/c of the age of their kids.

I was there last week. The portage trail from Alder to Caribou is clear now after some big poplar trees were cut away. The trail to the falls has some trees to navigate over, but it was pretty easy. the water temp at the falls is worth the hike; great swimming hole! Bring drinking water for the hike back up to Alder; that is the exhausting part:)

headed up there the 27th or 28th.......looking forward to it! Been a few years since I was there and the "fam" has never seen it.

Okay just got out and we easily made it to the falls on Thursday. It was amazing! The swimming hole in the lower falls is incredible. The trail is pretty much as 4keys described, just some trunks to climb over. Thanks!