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Boundary Waters Quetico ForumListening Point - General Discussion What is your favorite portage ?
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10/31/2009 02:51PM
My favorite portage in NOT the second one between Lake Four and Hudson Lake. That's right, the one that's marked 25 rods on the map but is actually 52 rods (per my GPS) of rocks and roots.
I enjoyed the 140-rod stroll from Disappointment to Snowbank.
I can't think of a favorite, but I remember being delighted to find the portage at the north end of Lake Gebeonequet. Borrowing from that trip report (August 2008 - my first BWCA trip):
The Fisher map shows the portage at the top of Lake Gebe about 100 yards SE of where it actually is. Believing the map, I bushwhack parallel to the shore for about a half hour, trying to intersect the portage trail. There seem to be a lot of little dead-end trails, but we'd met people who had come south through that portage so it doesn't make sense that the portage would be obscure. Finally I remember that the portages have been next to the "rapids" and decide to check it out (the GPS shows the portage in exactly the right spot, but up to now I've assumed the map was right). As we approach the portage we see a couple who have just emerged, ready to shove off on Lake Gebe. duh....
While crashing around in the underbrush looking for the portage trail, I find a section of what I guess is a moose's backbone, then a skull. This is the closest we come to large wildlife:
I enjoyed the 140-rod stroll from Disappointment to Snowbank.
I can't think of a favorite, but I remember being delighted to find the portage at the north end of Lake Gebeonequet. Borrowing from that trip report (August 2008 - my first BWCA trip):
The Fisher map shows the portage at the top of Lake Gebe about 100 yards SE of where it actually is. Believing the map, I bushwhack parallel to the shore for about a half hour, trying to intersect the portage trail. There seem to be a lot of little dead-end trails, but we'd met people who had come south through that portage so it doesn't make sense that the portage would be obscure. Finally I remember that the portages have been next to the "rapids" and decide to check it out (the GPS shows the portage in exactly the right spot, but up to now I've assumed the map was right). As we approach the portage we see a couple who have just emerged, ready to shove off on Lake Gebe. duh....
While crashing around in the underbrush looking for the portage trail, I find a section of what I guess is a moose's backbone, then a skull. This is the closest we come to large wildlife:
11/01/2009 08:00AM
Kashipiwi to Yum Yum.
Has everything a portage should have. Scenery, rocks, cliffs adversity---a real character builder. BUT the real reason why is it brings back good memories. It was the first time we were away from our son Chase for more than a few days and I was really missing that little one year old. As I was climbing one of the many hills on that portage and getting quite tired, Sara looked back and said, "C is for cookie, that's good enough for me, YUM YUM YUM YUM." That was Chase's favorite song at that moment in time. Probably sounds stupid to everyone else, but it made me laugh. Anytime we were getting tired that dumb cookie song came out :) It was really fun.
one of the views towards the end of Yum Yum
T
Has everything a portage should have. Scenery, rocks, cliffs adversity---a real character builder. BUT the real reason why is it brings back good memories. It was the first time we were away from our son Chase for more than a few days and I was really missing that little one year old. As I was climbing one of the many hills on that portage and getting quite tired, Sara looked back and said, "C is for cookie, that's good enough for me, YUM YUM YUM YUM." That was Chase's favorite song at that moment in time. Probably sounds stupid to everyone else, but it made me laugh. Anytime we were getting tired that dumb cookie song came out :) It was really fun.
one of the views towards the end of Yum Yum
T
11/01/2009 10:43AM
This is a neat thread. It is interesting to know others' views of portaging, and to have people mention familiar ones, too. Arkansasman/Bruce, I was pleased to remember Pocket-Finger because I recall stopping to set up the tripod and photograph the little cascade along the way. Such a pretty spot!
I didn't write anything to make me specifically remember the 200 rod portage to Beartrack except that it seemed long (200 rods tends to seem long to me whenever) and wasn't too difficult, but for us what made that one memorable was that we saw a loon's nest on the little island below the high rock at the Beartrack end and I got my first photo of loon eggs.
I didn't write anything to make me specifically remember the 200 rod portage to Beartrack except that it seemed long (200 rods tends to seem long to me whenever) and wasn't too difficult, but for us what made that one memorable was that we saw a loon's nest on the little island below the high rock at the Beartrack end and I got my first photo of loon eggs.
11/06/2009 09:56AM
I Heart Portages!
It's hard to pick a favorite, I love all of them. But if I have to choose my mind gravitates to the more challenging ones, and like TimA, I think of Yum Yum with special fondness. Not only is it a great portage, but it was there in 2003 in the pouring rain that it occurred to me "I wish I had a cabin somewhere around here." :-)
Inspiration Point -
It's hard to pick a favorite, I love all of them. But if I have to choose my mind gravitates to the more challenging ones, and like TimA, I think of Yum Yum with special fondness. Not only is it a great portage, but it was there in 2003 in the pouring rain that it occurred to me "I wish I had a cabin somewhere around here." :-)
Inspiration Point -
11/09/2009 01:48PM
So many I enjoyed & so many I hated (at the time anyway).
But the Elm Portage on Little Indian Sioux is a favorite, so is the "Yellow Brick Road" to Quetico southside.
I just did the Devil's Cascade portage from Pauness to Loon & the view of the Cascade was SOOOO gorgeous that this one is now included too.
I also enjoy the portage north of the Horse River. One mile long but the view of the waterfall area is beautiful & since most of the portage is rock ledge, not bad for walking.
Oops, also really like the portage around Curtain Falls, another nice walk.
Gotta stop typing, now they are all coming back to me & I'd be here all day! :-)
But the Elm Portage on Little Indian Sioux is a favorite, so is the "Yellow Brick Road" to Quetico southside.
I just did the Devil's Cascade portage from Pauness to Loon & the view of the Cascade was SOOOO gorgeous that this one is now included too.
I also enjoy the portage north of the Horse River. One mile long but the view of the waterfall area is beautiful & since most of the portage is rock ledge, not bad for walking.
Oops, also really like the portage around Curtain Falls, another nice walk.
Gotta stop typing, now they are all coming back to me & I'd be here all day! :-)
12/08/2010 06:39PM
I too always liked the Stairway Portage for the waterfall and the views of Rose and the cliffs over on Arrow. But my "Favorite" would have to be the little portage from Kingfisher to Ogish. Pretty little stream beween the two lakes and fairly flat and short with pines and always a white throated sparrow to sing to me when I've taken this portage. TW
12/08/2010 06:57PM
quote ozarkpaddler: "I too always liked the Stairway Portage for the waterfall and the views of Rose and the cliffs over on Arrow. But my "Favorite" would have to be the little portage from Kingfisher to Ogish. Pretty little stream beween the two lakes and fairly flat and short with pines and always a white throated sparrow to sing to me when I've taken this portage. TW
Seems we're always gettin' wet on that one:)
12/09/2010 09:55AM
quote Amok: "Ok. Now I'm going to have to find that tree and get a pic. Hanson -> Knife? hmmmmmm..... when to do that one ... :)"
Enchanted forest is the best way I can describe that portage. Has an otherworldly feel to it. Especially by the cedars and the small waterfall.
12/09/2010 09:49PM
"Ok. Now I'm going to have to find that tree and get a pic. Hanson -> Knife? hmmmmmm..... when to do that one ... :)"
Enchanted forest is the best way I can describe that portage. Has an otherworldly feel to it. Especially by the cedars and the small waterfall.
Yup, that is another really pretty place. "Otherworldly feel" hits the nail on the head. This one is Hanson-Knife a couple decades ago.
04/20/2012 04:54AM
There is a portage in the WCPP that has a name, it is called,
The Enchanted Portage
It is as nice and flat, but long, about a 750 Meters.
It is one of the most pleasant place's I have been.
It is a nice trail, that is like a stroll in a park, only your the only one in the park. Lots of flowers, berries, open areas, woods, meadow;s it is very nice.
Here are some photo's....I remember it well
SunCatcher
The Enchanted Portage
It is as nice and flat, but long, about a 750 Meters.
It is one of the most pleasant place's I have been.
It is a nice trail, that is like a stroll in a park, only your the only one in the park. Lots of flowers, berries, open areas, woods, meadow;s it is very nice.
Here are some photo's....I remember it well
SunCatcher
04/21/2012 08:38PM
quote togue: "quote TuscaroraBorealis: "The hike up to Gogebic lake was quite memorable.
"
A favorite of mine also tusc. Read your trip report, it was awesome. "
Thank you!
More portages
04/22/2012 12:55AM
quote TuscaroraBorealis: "The hike up to Gogebic lake was quite memorable.
The last time I took that portage I was coming down from Gogebic. I slipped carrying a pack and my Alumacraft and damn near killed myself when the canoe slammed into the back of my neck. I have to get back there. I really love that lake...
08/02/2015 01:18PM
08/04/2015 07:38PM
quote egknuti: "Portage from Oyster Lake to Oyster Creek."
Oh yea fursure dat dere portage deres a good one oh yea with dem big ole pine trees and the like, jus makes a man feel a speshial sorta way dat one dere does. Shes a senic one dere forsure.
08/04/2015 08:14PM
quote starwatcher: "This October we when from Hanson to the South Arm of Knife. The portage is beautiful with huge cedar trees and a babbling brook. Really nice!
starwatcher"
My favorite too. Enchanted forest is right on, the landing on the Hanson side really sets the tone.
03/31/2016 12:06AM
quote sotaman: "I like the portage going from Seagull into Paulson AKA JAP. It is a long bear that is steap at times and really screws with your head becasue you see water a handfull of times and think you gotta be done but the trail keeps on going. What a treat then when you think you had it right around in the middle you are way down in the rocks and its dark and gloomie kinda how you are feeling at the time. But when you get the last twenty rods and can see over jap nothings is better then that. Also the camp site on the lake is increadible. "a couple of pics of the beaver pond about halfway up the portage to jap, 1997, but yes pre fire a very cool portage.
03/31/2016 12:18AM
quote TuscaroraBorealis: "The hike up to Gogebic lake was quite memorable.AH ! my 1st trip into gogebic 1990 portaging a coleman scanoe #98 , glad i was 30... but yes another cool portage, alittle bit of work. i remember a huge pine tree that was rotting out , left side of the portage as you started the incline, it was huge and wide. i wonder if its still standing ?
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