On the 10 rod portage from Ruby Lake to Hustler on EP #14, I noticed that on each side of the portage in a couple feet of water are what look to be large log ladders and also some large planks. They appear to be very old and I'm wondering if anyone knows if they are something from the logging days or if there was a resort on the lake back in the day and possibly a dock.

Also on Ruby Lake on the west end was a large sawed off log sticking up from the lake bottom that was about 4 feet underwater. It might just be an old submerged log from the logging days but perhaps it was an old dock too? Just curious.

one of my old maps shows old homesteads on Ramshead and on Big Moose (both used to be great northern lakes btw). That area is not marked with anything on my map, but my guess is that there was a cabin located on that portage. There looks like a spot where a cabin could have stood. It also appears there could have been a dock at the portage from Hustler to Oyster as well.

Interesting. I always assumed that they were remnants from the days the Forest Service put a lot more work into the "development"---ie portage signs, canoe rests, etc. I could very well be wrong.

Where can I get these old maps that show homesteads, etc? Sounds interesting.

I think Marsonite is correct. I have seen these things in other places from time to time as well. I noticed one I think on both sides of the portage between Karl and Lower George earlier this summer. I suspect they were canoe landings from the days of portage rests and picnic tables in campsites. Easier to flip into the water than dismantle.
This photo is from the Ruby/Hustler portage, but I can't recall which side. Seems I have usually seen them on both sides of a portage.

Old "crib docks".....made from timbers and filled with rocks. Boats would be stationed at them on the far side of your route. Drive up, park your boat, portage your motor across to the next boat, repeat. Do it all in reverse on your way out. They can be found in various places where old boat routes existed.

cowdoc: "Old "crib docks".....made from timbers and filled with rocks. Boats would be stationed at them on the far side of your route. Drive up, park your boat, portage your motor across to the next boat, repeat. Do it all in reverse on your way out. They can be found in various places where old boat routes existed."

agree

prizes14: "Where can I get these old maps that show homesteads, etc? Sounds interesting."

I use these historical maps, though I don't know what they have for the BWCA. The arcgis maps let you adjust the transparency of the historic maps so you can compare to modern maps.
Historic USGS Topo Maps
David Rumsey Historical Maps