I have been reading on the maps section about the Cross Bay to Snipe portage at the Cross Bay end. I am confused about the problem caused by the beaver dam. Does the dam cause low water at the portage end? (Lots of mud to get to deep enough water?) Or is the problem that the dam has caused high water at the portage end? Flooded the portage end causing problems launching from a much smaller portage end and/or a rock garden that can't be paddled?

My wife and I traveled this portage in both 2018 and 2019. Both times were the first few days of August. This portage seemed uneventful for us. I believe there was an easy pullover a beaver dam. You paddle thru a channel of reeds and lily pads, but was easy paddling. On both our trips this portage was traveled and easily forgotten. Thinking back, other portages are memories you will never forget. This portage was just a 43 rod portage on our trip.

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it - I know you've done far more problematic ones :)

We are entering through Missing Link for a 4 night 5 day trip to Lizz Lake exit. I was through there once about 15 years ago now and didn't remember there being a beaver dam, but all things BW change. I have a newbie along and didn't want any big surprises.

Thank you.

Boonie - I don't remember reading about your trip this year. Are you/Did you get one in?

I had planned a WCPP trip, but gave up recently and have a Sept permit for BW.

In 2018 my wife and I did your trip in reverse. 2019 started thru Meeds. Awesome area. Portage between Long Island Lake and Muskeg is a beaver dam mess. A flooded boulder field. Then the portage from Muskeg to Kiskadina “The Wall” will be your longest and most challenging - it is called “The Wall” for a reason. Have a great trip. Jealous as we had to skip a trip this year but will be back in 2021.

Definitely worry way more about Long Island to Muskeg than Snipe to Cross Bay! :)

boonie: "Definitely worry way more about Long Island to Muskeg than Snipe to Cross Bay! :)"

I have come through that area going west before. But it sounds like it is more of a mess now than before. I am hoping with lower water levels some of that will be less problematic.

It was 2012 when I went through from Long Island to Muskeg. It doesn't sound like it's improved, but I don't know if it's worse.

Look in my 2012 photo album on the 2nd page for some pictures. I paddled a short distance up the creek, saw some "canoe graffiti" on a rock on the left and got out to check for the portage although it was blocked by deadfall. There was a portage there, a boulder garden with deadfall, then it was over the bank to the creek at the bottom of the beaver dam and over that.

I don't know if people just aren't finding the portage or what. Look at OTH's photo on the portage comments here for a picture of the landing rock. Good luck.

I notice anything challenging when we did it in the summer of 2019. Of course, everything seemed easy after coming out of the Hairy Lake PMA.

Interesting discussion. I was last through there five or six years ago. I had to cross a couple of dams and the portage was about knee deep in water, so I was actually able to paddle a ways up what had been part of the portage. Once I started walking, I had to shuffle my feet to avoid stepping off the boardwalk section!