Looking for variations to an expected route out of Beaverhouse first days of Sept. and this portage is not mentioned in the Beymer route book. Has anyone used this portage? Recently? It shows on the Crismar map as traversing swamplands. Thanks for your help, Sunnybear.

I did it years ago. It was fairly long, but I don't recall it as being hellacious.

The PP description of this portage is not very pleasant. Says it starts at the Yeh end with a false portage north of the real one, then muck bog with trees laid over the swamp on which to climb, then a steep climb, then a steep down slope that you have to pass equipment down, then fords a stream, then another climb. Sounds a lot like the Yum Yum Portage, although things are in a different order.

My crew went through Lonely two years ago from north to south, so we did not personally experience this one. The reviewer said the only nice thing about this portage was that you could then brag that you had done it.

We did the Yeh to Lonely portage in 2010. Knowing that it was on our route, I did a fair amount of research trying to learn about this alleged portage from hell. I read about the swamps, the length, etc. that are mentioned above, but nothing had been recent.

I'll jump to the end of the story.

We found the "old" start of the portage and started down a jumbled up trail, complete with swamp, until we realized that this wasn't the portage. We got back in the canoes and paddled maybe 50 more yards around the corner to the REAL landing and proceeded to complete the portage with little to no extra effort, other than the time it took to do the length - almost a mile.

Yes, there is a swamp near the beginning, but the logs to get through were not tough to cross. Once we were past that section, it was literally a walk on a normal everyday trail. No joke. And the landing on the Lonely end was flat and spacious. Pretty nice place to take a break.

Jackfish what did you think of the steep part? Descriptions say something about a large step requiring handing equipment up or down. I am going solo so I am curious as I don't want to have to drag my carbonfiber canoe. 2 1/2 feet is probably the largest step height my knees can handle with a load.

Jim,
I don't recall a rock face like that on this portage. I'll have to ask my buddy to see if he does. Later in the trip, we did the Staircase Portage between Sturgeon and Russell. That one I remember clearly. LOL

In the past the "false" portage was (sometimes) marked with crossed logs at the entrance.

For me, the best way to Lonely is through Jesse, Elizabeth, Walter. Love those lakes! --Goose

I agree with you, OGG, that is a beautiful string of lakes. We had a great crew, including OldFingers57, my son, and the fine fellow who flew all the way from Israel to join us again 2 years ago. Took 3 days going from Nym through the lakes you named, then a layover day on Russell and a day trip to Splitrock Falls. Going in at Nym this weekend. Full crew of 8 and probably headed to Buckingham.

quote OldGreyGoose: "In the past the "false" portage was (sometimes) marked with crossed logs at the entrance.

For me, the best way to Lonely is through Jesse, Elizabeth, Walter. Love those lakes! --Goose"

I've changed my Fall trip to include these very lakes. Saving the Falls chain for the Spring and higher water flow. Going to try and tackle the Lonely/Yeh and Badwater portages in one trip while I'm still young. Funny how the definition of "young" and "old" change as we age!

quote AmarilloJim: "Going to try and tackle the Lonely/Yeh and Badwater portages in one trip while I'm still young."

Be sure to give us an update (and opinion) on both portages.

Just got back and didn't think this was too bad of a portage at all. Can see where it would have been tough before the corduroy was put in though. Both rock faces were relatively easy as one had a side path around it and the other had some natural steps to it. Didn't make the Badwater portage as I had an unplanned weather layover and had to make a slight trip alteration.

We wound up doing our route south instead of north, out thru Jean, Bentpine, Burntside, Trail, Your, finally out Badwater to West Bay. I have to say it was the easiest mile-long portage I have traversed. No serious ups or downs, wet spots were doable--most had corduroy or poles. Ranger crew had just been thru and freshened the encroaching vegetation. The landing at Badwater was easy and large, the one at WB was easy but shallow.