BWCA Horseshoe to Gaskin? Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
   Trip Planning Forum
      Horseshoe to Gaskin?     
 Forum Sponsor

Author

Text

Bigbriwi
distinguished member (106)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/27/2018 10:26PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Just curious what your guys opinion is. What is easier when going into Gaskin from Horseshoe? The one long portage or the multiple short portages?

Heading in next week.
Thanks
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next
TipsyPaddler
distinguished member (315)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/28/2018 06:31AM  
I prefer the one long portage. Landing/UnLoading then Loading/Launching the canoe is a challenging part of my canoe trips and where most of my mishaps and frustrations seem to occur.

I did that route in June. I recall the three short portages were in total a little longer than the single long one from Horseshoe to east end of Gaskin. That combined with the above mentioned loading/unloading rigamaroll made it an easy choice for the single longer one. It was a pretty easy 90-100 rod portage.

08/28/2018 06:37AM  
I think the 1 long one is much easier than doing the 3 short ones. Loading/unloading the canoe 2 times is much better than having to do it 6 times. Also, the total length of the 3 short ones is close to the 1 long one.

If I remember correctly the 3 short ones have some boulders/tricky stepping and a couple of steep parts.
08/28/2018 06:51AM  
Definitely the longer single portage. As Ducks mentioned, the three portage’s are rocky and the landings are a pain.
IndyScouters
member (41)member
  
08/28/2018 08:14AM  
I did a small loop trip from Horseshoe to Gaskin and back one morning with my brother early in June before we headed into Gaskin later that day as a group. I can say the 102 Rod portage was the best option for us. It isn't that bad at all, some rocks and elevation changes but nothing like what you will experience on the shorter three portages and the time you lose loading/unloading at each stop. Coming from Gaskin back into Horseshoe on the three portage trip there are two take outs that you can get the canoes out but have to navigate a pretty steep boulder or path that is easier to have two people get the canoe down the portage a bit before you get going. also on the last portage getting back to Horseshoe you will have to navigate a couple of blown down trees, one it is easier to just climb over the other you will have to go under (Unless you are REALLY TALL, lol. Either way will work, it just depends on what you are trying to accomplish - I like portaging, so the 102 rod lets me get a rhythm, but the shorter ones provided a bit more challenge. Gaskin is a beautiful Lake, one of my favorites and the fishing in June was pretty good as well. Have fun and enjoy it.
Here are some Gaskin lake photos.





Bigbriwi
distinguished member (106)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/28/2018 09:44AM  
Thanks Guys, I just remember doing the portage from Mudro to Fourtown last year which is about the same length and it practically killed me!!!

08/28/2018 11:39AM  
When water levels are pretty high the portage from Horseshoe to Allen is a creek and it's full of holes.
08/28/2018 11:58AM  
Bigbriwi: "Thanks Guys, I just remember doing the portage from Mudro to Fourtown last year which is about the same length and it practically killed me!!!


"


I remember the Mudro to Fourtown portage to be more difficult than the Horseshoe to Gaskin.
Northwoodsman
distinguished member(2059)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/30/2018 07:35AM  
Thanks Bigbriwi for posting and thanks for all the responses. I'm going this route in two weeks. Last year we did the one long portage, this year we were going to do the 3 shorter ones. Based on your responses, we are going to stick with the one long one.
Bumstead
distinguished member (332)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
08/31/2018 01:51PM  
From jump to gaskin ends in quite a decent....probably 15' down a very steep slope, but not unmanageable. Jump is a cool little lake.
 
Reply    Reply with Quote    Print Top Bottom Previous Next
Trip Planning Sponsor:
Sawbill Canoe Outfitters