BWCA Portage from Kenny lake to McEwen Lake Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
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MarshallPrime
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04/15/2018 10:32PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Im wondering what the portage is like between these 2 lakes? It says 256 and one guide said not to use it but I read a post that said it wasnt that bad, but there was a little elevation change.

Thinking about hitting McEwen on our way out after Kawnipi heading toward silver falls.

Any info would be great.
Campsite thoughts on McEwen would also be cool, we've never been there.

thanks
 
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dentondoc
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04/16/2018 02:28AM  
It's a bit of a climb (understatement). But the real issue for some will be near the top of the assent, you will be very near a substantial, exposed drop off into the ravine below. If you happen to hit a window that is wet (and windy), I'd say go around and take the entrance through Wet Lake.

Since I've done places like Angel's Landing in Zion NP and been "ledged-up a few times in the Colorado mountains with a 1000+ foot drop beyond, it was kind of a "what ever" moment for me, but not all are bent that way.

Stayed on campsite 1T8 while on McEwen. Fairly descent campsite for a small group. Landing on the east side of the island. Nice Laker hole to the SE of the site, but we mostly caught smallmouth while there. I did a lunch stop at 1SU. It is a larger site, with a sandy beach landing (south end) on another island a bit further south. It is less protected, but has a larger tent pad capacity (although much of that section of island is slightly sloped to the south).

dd
04/16/2018 06:50AM  
I did it in Sept 2011 and remember it was long but not overly rugged. As you flatten out approaching Kenny you go over and around some boulders and downed trees. then walk through a gorgeous area of ferns. I remember thinking it appeared to look like something from the Jurassic age. At Kenny there are several different places to put in depending on water level. If it's high you save maybe 5 rods of portaging and put in at the creek (what I did).

You will be doing this coming the other way. McEwen has a beautiful site on southern tip of main island. 5 star.



04/16/2018 08:52AM  
Portage climbs to a high ridge and follows it alongside the valley that runs between Kenny and McEwan. Relatively steep climb up and steep descent down. Not sure why the portage wasn't routed in the valley which seems relatively dry and solid.

Northern half of McEwen burned hot about 15 years ago and is largely void of camps. Some nice camp sites in the southern half of the lake.
04/16/2018 09:45AM  
TomT: "...
You will be doing this coming the other way. McEwen has a beautiful site on southern tip of main island. 5 star.
"


Ah yes, The Hilton! A nice campsite indeed. Lake Trout to the south in 47' of water as I recall.
04/16/2018 10:16AM  
bobbernumber3: "
Ah yes, The Hilton! A nice campsite indeed. Lake Trout to the south in 47' of water as I recall."


I have to say that this site was more parking lot than Hilton as far as I was concerned.
MarshallPrime
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04/16/2018 11:27AM  
So we will be doing it going from Kenny heading west to McEwen. So that will be uphill from our start or not? Is one way easier than the other?
It sounds like there are differing opinions of this portage. It certainly isnt short and sounds like it has a lot of elevation change.
We are all men, ages 30,40,40,51. All in solid shape. We all have many portages in our past. We will have 2 Kevlar canoes and it will be toward the end of our trip so lighter packs.

Any other opinions would be great.
thanks for those of you that have shared.
04/16/2018 11:33AM  
Banksiana: "
bobbernumber3: "
Ah yes, The Hilton! A nice campsite indeed. Lake Trout to the south in 47' of water as I recall."



I have to say that this site was more parking lot than Hilton as far as I was concerned."


It's got a little sand beach. I remember going up the inclined hill directly behind the fire pit and tossing a tennis ball for my dog. She would get it and run it back up to me. That got her napping pretty quick.
04/16/2018 12:27PM  
Marshall-

The elevation change between McEwan and Kenny is minimal- the climbing on the portage is due to the routing of the trail and is similar in either direction.
04/16/2018 03:21PM  
Banksiana: "
bobbernumber3: "
Ah yes, The Hilton! A nice campsite indeed. Lake Trout to the south in 47' of water as I recall."



I have to say that this site was more parking lot than Hilton as far as I was concerned."


I think over-use and someone's "site improvements" have affected the Hilton's rating. Maybe now a Motel 6?
dentondoc
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04/16/2018 04:53PM  
MarshallPrime: "So we will be doing it going from Kenny heading west to McEwen. So that will be uphill from our start or not? Is one way easier than the other?
It sounds like there are differing opinions of this portage. It certainly isnt short and sounds like it has a lot of elevation change.
We are all men, ages 30,40,40,51. All in solid shape. We all have many portages in our past. We will have 2 Kevlar canoes and it will be toward the end of our trip so lighter packs. "

The portage (from Kenny) starts out reasonably flat, through wooded terrain. About 1/4th across, you start a climb over a ridge which becomes more sparsely covered with vegetation the higher you climb. My GPS software says its a 200 foot elevation gain to the top of the ridge, steeper on the Kenny side and more gradual on the McEwen side. (If I'd have guest about the elevation gain, I would have thought it less than 200, but there are a couple of spots near the top where you need to make sure you have your balance before taking the next step.)

I was already beyond 60 when I did it. It should be no problem for those in decent shape.

dd
MarshallPrime
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04/18/2018 02:07PM  
So those of you that have been to McEwen recently and know how the forest is growing back is it possible to make a new campsite on one of the northern Islands or peninsulas? Perhaps the trees are still to small to protect from wind, rain and sun. From what I have read the burn was in 2003 so 15 years...not sure but should be enough time for some of the soft wood trees to grown back decently.

Thoughts?
04/18/2018 03:20PM  
Went through late last August. We came from the south.....stayed at the Hilton, then went out through Wet the next morning. Thought that 1T9 on the point looked like a good site. 1TC back in the east little pocket bay didnt look too bad either. 1T8 is on too small an island.....room for a tent, and a fire and you'll have to piss elsewhere so you don't hit either. I dont recall 1T4 on the NW corner of the big island. Paddling east, the trees/brush look small and thick along the shore lines, so finding a clearing looked tough. I can't speak about the far north end. There is an island in the far east bay, before the portage to Wet, that looked like it had a campsite on it that is not marked on most maps. Looked neat from a distance, but we didnt paddle over to it.
 
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