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 Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Quetico Forum Antoine to Sturgeon Narrows portage Reply
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| Previous Messages: | |
| Author | Message Text |
| Sylbill |
06/07/2017 08:28PM Thanks for everyone's replies. We will be going in less than two months from now. I'll post an update when we get back. |
| PineKnot |
05/22/2017 06:10PM Have done the portage between Antoine and the Narrows a couple times in the past few years....a bit mucky on the Antoine end, some vertical climb, but nothing other than being a long portage....and the fishing in the Narrows for smallies is great....let alone the grand slam fishing on Antoine.... |
| Wally13 |
05/20/2017 11:33AM Hoaf, Thanks for the Antoine to Sturgeon Narrows portage update. I will be coming into Ram to Antoine the last week of June. May give the Antoine to Sturgeon Narrows portage a try as well. "Tight Lines" |
| Hoaf |
05/20/2017 09:51AM Passed through Antoine and into Sturgeon Narrows by way of Deux Rivieres / Sturgeon / Ram 2 weeks ago on May 2nd. 3 easy pullovers on the Deux, but of course the water was fairly high from snow /rain the prior day & week.  The portage from Sturgeon into Ram has that mild uphill to start but was quick and pretty unremarkable. No trees down, all clear. From Ram into Antoine as mentioned can be muddy, and when I came through this time had the usual ankle-high muck primarily in the beginning half. For early spring that's expected and was not a challenge at all. It will dry out as the summer progresses. HighNDry covered the portage from Antoine into Sturgeon Narrows really well, but I can update on current conditions as I'm sure I was the first since last fall. There were two large pines down across the trail about 30 yards in, one requiring a slight detour but not a problem at all. I'm guessing those may be cleared by the time you arrive. Next comes the two mildy steep climbs out of the Antoine basin that require attention to your footing, particularly when it's wet, but again nothing severe. It was slick and the rock footholds were loose, so had to be careful there. The remainder of the portage was surprisingly clear, but there was a fair number of small (less than wrist dia) pine down and quite a lot of alders/hazel/willow that were draped over the trail from the winter rain/ice/snow events as it descended into Sturgeon Narrows. I took care of those on my return for the second load with my Fanno (GREAT pruning saw). 2nd trip was a breeze. Personally, I really like that portage from Antoine into Sturgeon Narrows and routinely "detour" around the northern part of Sturgeon by going through Ram and Antoine. It's scenic and once you get past the initial climb out of Antoine (when going that direction), you're rewarded with an easy descent into the narrows and can enjoy the rest of the journey. Have fun! |
| carmike |
04/03/2017 10:10PM I remember one of the portages into/out of Ram being very, very muddy. No idea if that's common or not, but could've just been a wet time of year. Great info on the Antoine portage. Just some elevation...nothing too crazy. Now going from Sturgeon to Russel, *that* will give you a workout. :) |
| jdddl8 |
03/29/2017 09:54PM If you can get up the creek the portage is only 50 yards. It really depends on water levels in Sturgeon. |
| old_salt |
03/29/2017 03:44PM Not meaning to hijack thread, but I am also interested in the northern portages through Ram into Sturgeon? How about the stream? Thanks. |
| Wally13 |
03/29/2017 12:24PM Thanks for the info Terry. I was looking at the possibility of making this portage out of Antoine during a Sturgeon trip over the 4th of July. Maybe in the cards. |
| HighnDry |
03/29/2017 09:53AM I did it last May. It climbs gently from the southern-most bay for about the first 20 rods or so. However, you will hit at least 2 rather steep climbs that last crest out onto flat or gradually rising trail. After 20 or so minutes of climbing you will reach a clearing which is the height-of-land. Dump your first load here. It's a big, open, grassy site. It looks like this:  I'd suggest you carry your portage pack load up first so that you can break any overhanging hemlock and alder that are draping over the trail on your way down to get the boat. The height-of-land continues flat for 20 or so more rods and then gradually descends down towards to Sturgeon Narrows. I counted at least three blow downs, each about 12 to 16 inches in diameter. Two of them I hopped over. I had to scoot under the third one with the boat and the pack. It's a little but more brushy on the descent to the Narrows. It's not a big deal but I was soaked when I walked this. It was a rainy, misting day that turned into an outright downpour when I got my last load down the Narrows. It's a bit swampy and muddy at the put-in. It's a nice climb. Enjoy! |
| Sylbill |
03/26/2017 07:50PM Has anyone taken the portage from Antoine to Sturgeon Narrows lately? If so, what was it like? We plan on doing it in early August. Bill |
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