How are the portages?

Any issues/suggestions?

I haven't been through since last fall, but normally no problem, pretty easy.

As of about ten days ago, the entrance (from Townline Lake) to the portage to Lake Polly was completely underwater. At that time, thigh-deep water covered the first hundred or so yards of the portage, making loading and unloading a real challenge. Expect to get very wet and muddy, and if there are multiple groups stacked up there, expect to wait quite a while, as only one canoe could access the portage at a time (one canoe leaving OR entering the portage) on the day we were there. Things may have improved if water levels have receded at all, though.

Doing this route next week. Is it possible to bypass the portages and take the Kawishiwi River all the way to Polly given that water levels are so high?

We asked our outfitter about that and were told it would be a fool's errand. Even if the water is high enough to paddle through most areas, the number of beaver dams, etc. that one would have to go around would make it a very difficult journey.

The portages are easy, other than the mud pit at the landing to leave Townline Lake.

quote ABisbee: "Doing this route next week. Is it possible to bypass the portages and take the Kawishiwi River all the way to Polly given that water levels are so high?"

The general consensus of those who have tried is NO, unless you want to do a lot more work with all the blowdown from the Pagami Fire that blocks it. The portages are not that bad, even if there's a little mud - don't jump out of the frying pan into the fire! :)

Good to know.

Looks like we have our work cut out for us.

Thanks for the reply's

I've been in #37 several times. I wouldn't really worry too much about it, you just have to deal with the conditions when you get there. It's not that bad - you may also get to skip one or more short portages by floating over a beaver dam (you never know when there's going to be a new one of those). You may also have a new beaver dam to lift over/bushwhack around. Both were the case for me last fall. When the water's too low on the river, you have longer slogs through mud on some of the portages (I've had that on previous trips), so it's six of one and a half dozen of the other. If you want a reference, it takes me about 4 hours, maybe a tad more, double portaging to reach the N end of Polly (that's 9 miles).

Did Malberg to Kawishiwi today. We were light coming out and single portaged with two adults and three 11-13yo kids. All done and loaded in the pouring rain in about 6 hours. We are no heros, but did have good paddling conditions and spirits for the most part.

Portages are as advertised above. There are three pull over dams to avoid portaging coming out of Kiwishiwi. The Townline landing is muddy, but better than last year at this time. We even met some folks there and it wasn't a big deal, just a do-si-do. You will be wet and muddy up to your knees. There are a few downed trees to step over but nothing out of the ordinary.

If I'm not mistaken, there is a short portage not shown on the map around a large beaver damn just south/west of Kawasachong. It's short, like 2 rods, but it's a mess. I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm off on that...

The 185 rod portage is long, but not hard. The blue berries are out on the following 86 rod portage. Polly to Malberg is pretty easy after that.

Enjoy your paddle!

quote Cadiman: "If I'm not mistaken, there is a short portage not shown on the map around a large beaver damn just south/west of Kawasachong. It's short, like 2 rods, but it's a mess. I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm off on that..."

Yeah, that's the way it was last fall, but it sounds maybe a little messier. On the plus side it was no worse than the short portage I got to skip by just paddling over one beaver dam.

All great information and thank you everyone, me and my two kids will be heading up on Sunday morning. I was planning on a 4 hour trip from #37 to Malberg but I will adjust planning. Good to know about the blueberries, Im normally a spring/fall tripper and don't get many these days. Happy Trails

Have a good trip, nineteepack! I think we chatted briefly on Jerry Lake (off of Crooked) in Sept. 2015.