We were attempting a 3 1/2 day trip from Gunflint lake to Saganaga. Grandpa has 56 years of BWCA canoeing experience. We found the portages difficult to find. A tree was covering pine portage. We camped on Clove Lake. We portaged over what appeared to be a dry river bed where there should normally be a Rapids. Then we were looking for swamp portage. The water level seemed very low and we couldn't find a credible portage. Not knowing the route well, we were concerned about going further, so decided to go back out the way we came. It was a hard decision for Grandpa who has never in 56 years failed to finish a trip. However given the age and strength of the group it was the right decision. Working our way back across the same portages and up the rapids was a bit of a challenge and strong winds from the south on Magnetic & Gunflint lake was a tough finish. Grandpa did a great job with his 80 pound granddaughter! We are still wondering where we went wrong or if a fast drop in the water level made this highly touted trip more difficult. Any thoughts?