Looking at heading north of Kelso this year and I was wondering if it is feasible to get from Sawbill to Dent in one day. We can paddle all day so that isn't a big factor. Also not too worried about long portages as long as they are in good condition. So what I need to know for this route is how the portages from Kelso to Zenith and from Zenith to Duck are.

We will be heading north, so Zenith to Duck seems to be downhill if I'm reading the topo correctly. The 444 seems good for the first half then up and down on the second half. Am I out of my mind to think we can make it to Dent in one day?

I think I’ve read this year that the portage between Lujenida and Zenith still has a flooded-out spot that can be difficult to maneuver around. At least it was three years ago when I was there. Otherwise it is long but not difficult.

You are right that the portage from Zenith to Duck is down hill, but is not difficult at all going south either. The portage from Duck to Hug is a tricky “pull over”. Hug to Mesaba is pretty easy.

I have not been on the other two on the way to Dent. That said, I wouldn’t want to go all the way to Dent in a day. Maybe stay at Mesaba. It is gorgeous. At least in the fall it is.

Edit: Day 5 of the new trip report by Hooky shows the flooded out section on the Lujenida to Zenith portage.

inspector13: "I think I’ve read this year that the portage between Lujenida and Zenith still has a flooded-out spot that can be difficult to maneuver around. At least it was three years ago when I was there. Otherwise it is long but not difficult.

Edit: Day 5 of the new trip report by Hooky shows the flooded out section on the Lujenida to Zenith portage."

I noticed this took place in May. Is that flooded portion like that all summer? I usually go in late June so things aren't usually that flooded.

Maybe I'll look at going the other way on that loop and stay the first night at Wine. The plan would be one night on Dent, Wine, and then Kelso/Alton on the way out. Maybe Wine, Dent then Kelso/Alton would be easier. Either way the day between Wine and Dent is supposed to be the easy day to fish and explore. And being closer to the EP is good for me since I always drive straight home to the Mankato area.

A1t2o: "I noticed this took place in May. Is that flooded portion like that all summer?"

It was flooded when I was there three years ago at the end of September. As far as I remember it is that way because of beaver activity.

Happy New Year!

That would be a long day if you weren't single portaging. I don't think I could do it. Sawbill to Wine was an 8 hour day for me double portaging.

Here's what the portage looked like last May. I'm told it's looked like that for the last couple of years.

inspector13: "

A1t2o: "I noticed this took place in May. Is that flooded portion like that all summer?"

It was flooded when I was there three years ago at the end of September. As far as I remember it is that way because of beaver activity.


Happy New Year!"

Ah, that explains it. Did you walk through with all your gear or float the canoe across with everything?

A1t2o: "

inspector13: "

A1t2o: "I noticed this took place in May. Is that flooded portion like that all summer?"

It was flooded when I was there three years ago at the end of September. As far as I remember it is that way because of beaver activity.



Happy New Year!"

Ah, that explains it. Did you walk through with all your gear or float the canoe across with everything?"

We did that portage last August going south and a couple sections are flooded. The worst was around knee deep. Not worth putting the canoe in the water for either section. The water was too brackish to see the bottom so we had had to shuffle along. Fortunately we were doing 1 trip portages.

As I recall, a couple of those last portages between Mesaba and Dent were fairly tough. Factoring in all the other portages you'll have to do just to get to that point; I'd say getting to Dent on day one would be a tall order.

Here's a trip from several years back where we did all those portages. NOT in one day. :)

It could be done, but it would be a very long day. I did a looped route through that area in Sept 2016. My first night was on Zenith (I stopped there early). My second night was on Dent, but I took the Frederick, Wine, Poe, Louse River Route.

The flooded out area on the Lujenida portage wasn't a big deal, but I double portaged that trail because I was doing a solo trip. Took me 2 hrs. It wasn't overly difficult, just long, as you probably know. The portage from Mesaba to the no-name pond is very steep, but short. The paddle through the pond was very overgrown and a bit messy with willow (or alders). Otherwise, my feeling is all of the portages are mostly moderate all the way to Dent - unless you head south from Dent through Wine, etc. The portages along the Louse River between Dent - Poe were some of the most overgrown, messy portages, I've ever done in my 20 years of doing the BWCA. Not hilly, but they felt like a total bushwack.

Campsite on east side of Dent where I stayed, is very nice, I casually looked for the other site but never saw it. I ran into another couple on a day-trip who said the same thing.

Photo is from my site on Dent Lake.

Went the other way 2 years ago from Dent to Sawbill in a day. With a kid and single portaged. Zenith is long and yes, wet in that low spot. Otherwise, not "hard". Have water if it is hot.

Dent is a nice lake. I thought the paddle into the upper Kelso R was interesting with some odd route finding. Not impossible, just interesting.


John