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Blatz
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Often the topography will give you signs. Low areas at the ends of lakes, opening in the trees, ect ect
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MikeinMpls
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If you're unsure of where the portage is, "aim" for a spot obviously above or below where you think it is. Then follow the shore until you find it.
Also, portages often follow unnavigable creeks or streams. There often is a "dip" in the treeline at these spots. This can make the portage be seen from further out in the water, looking at the shore.
Mike
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RTurner
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Thank everyone.
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VoyageurNorth
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johndku: "Pay close attention to your maps, you shouldn't have any trouble. However, if using an outfitter, ask them if the maps are 100% correct, once in a great while there's a slight error on them, such as what side of a rapid the portage is on, etc., but usually nothing major. "
Asking the outfitters (such as ourselves) is helpful. We know many of the incorrect areas of maps but some we do not. John & I always bring two sets of maps, one McKenzie and one Fisher (or sometimes a Voyageur series) so we can always check between the two types, it does help.
A few of the McKenzie maps are not updated for the campsites closed from the Pagami Fire. The one not updated is the "specialty" map which shows Lake One & Snowbank, map named Disappointment I believe it is Map 118.
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Savage Voyageur
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If you have a GPS with mapping feature chip like Garmin BWCA, you can just follow the moving map. It’s kind of cheating, my maps usually never leave the bottom of my pack. This chip from Garmin has every campsite and portage in it.
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HighnDry
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RTurner: "Thank everyone. "
Algonquin might be the only park in Ontario where portages and campsites are marked with signs. I certainly haven't visited them all but Wabakimi, QPP, and WCPP do not have anything beyond the occasional hash mark on a tree to locate portages. Campsites are generally whatever looks flat with perhaps a fire ring of rocks evident (there are maps of campsites available from each park).
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mirth
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There are no markers at all. Most of the time they're pretty obvious if you know what you're looking for. Campsites can sometime be harder to spot if there's no obvious canoe landing or the fire grate area is hidden from the water.
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minnmike
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No, there are no signs in the BWCA other than a sign to let you know you are entering the park. Most portages and camp sites are self evident, but some do require some searching.
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billconner
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I just keep track of where I am on a map to find these. Campsites ate almost always obvious (well, I recall one I never found in an hour of searching) and most portages but sometimes a portage is hiding. I followed the treelines and looks for the"hole" in the trees. Up closer, look for aluminum on rocks. No aluminum, probably is not the portage.
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johndku
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Pay close attention to your maps, you shouldn't have any trouble. However, if using an outfitter, ask them if the maps are 100% correct, once in a great while there's a slight error on them, such as what side of a rapid the portage is on, etc., but usually nothing major.
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RTurner
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Are the portage trails and campsites in the BW marked with signs similarly to those in Algonquin? thanks,RT
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