I took the short ~26 rod portage from Isabella to unnamed lake last July and it was a challenge! It should have been quick and easy, but it had recently been impacted by wind damage, so there were lots of blown down trees. We had to climb over, under, and angle our canoe through a tangled mess. We notified the ranger at Prairie Portage on our final day. They were unaware.

We're looking at taking a similar route this year, but will definitely skip that portage if it has not been cleared yet. So, has anyone been this way since last July? How was it?

I wanted to post a picture of the portage in question, but I can't seem to figure out how, I apologize (this is my first post). The unnamed lake that I'm taking about is the one just north of Point Lake.

Thanks!
Eric

eric... welcome! we love photos. first of all, i believe you need to be signed in as a registered member to be able to post photos. it's relatively easy beyond that.

i've been on that portage but it was 7 years ago. there were trees down then, not as many, and we got the same response when sharing portage info with the rangers. don't let it discourage you from going that way again, just take some extra saws!

That area seemed to suffer some serious blow-down early last summer. I didn't take that precise portage, but did take one in July from Unnamed to Unnamed just north of there (it would be easier to talk about this if they would just give those damn lakes names!), and it was a mess. When I left the park I told the ranger about the bad conditions, and we looked at the portage clearing map - it had not been cleared yet that year. But if a portage is really bad they sometimes move it up in the schedule, so he sent a report to HQ. Unclear whether that got it cleared sooner or not.

Anyway, most Q portages are cleared once a year (some aren't, but they tend to be in less-used areas). So the ones where we encountered deadlfall were probably cleared later last summer. But then there was new winter deadfall this year. If you are really concerned bout it, contact the park headquarters to find out which portages will be cleared when you go in.

There was a major storm with high winds on July 21st last year that impacted some of the southern part of the park and resulted in the deaths of two campers in the Basswood Lake area (which is relatively close to the portage you mentioned).

I've been over the portage mentioned a time or two (and will take it in a couple of weeks). From past experiences, the trail itself was clear of debris on all of my previous crossings.

If it is time to eat, you might do a little trolling down the southeast shoreline of that nonamer below the portage for some eater sized lake trout. These are the pink flesh variety.

So, if you can wait until mid-July when I return I can give you some updated info on the portage. If you are interested just post something about July 15th to bump the thread up toward the top of the forum and I'll look for it when I'm back on station.

dd

Mocha.....thanks for your welcome & motivation. I've been stalking this site for a few years.

Ho Ho.....I may try to contact the park, I didn't know you could do that to ask about portage conditions.

dentondoc.....sounds like we may be going around the same time. My trip is from 7/3 - 7/11. So thanks for the offer, but it will be too late for you to help.

-Eric

EricD,

Last year I traveled that same portage, and it was hairy. The portage in question is indeed the 26 rod leading from unknown lake to Isabella. Luckily, I had contacted a good friend and well-known woodsman, Caboose, and he helped me navigate the area. Mudball and I are going to be in that area around that time, so if you need some help, let me know. Don't want to rupture a hernia out there!

-MB

quote EricD: "Ho Ho.....I may try to contact the park, I didn't know you could do that to ask about portage conditions."

Just to clarify - they have schedule for when they will clear different portages, so you can find out if it has been cleared this year or not. Which portages are being cleared when is also shown on a map at the ranger station where you get a permit. But if they have not cleared the portage yet, they problably won't be able to tell you what condition it's in (unless they've received a report about it). I've often taken portages that have not been cleared and they are still fine. On the other hand, even a portage that has been cleared can get new windfall on them. So the info whether or not it's been cleared can be helpful, but it's not the full story. For that, you just have to go.

quote EricD:"
dentondoc.....sounds like we may be going around the same time. My trip is from 7/3 - 7/11. So thanks for the offer, but it will be too late for you to help."

Oops! My bad. My Quetico trip is in JUNE not July.

dd

I'll be going through there, back June 11
Interesting area, lots to read about the portages from Isabella to Sarah.

Joe

This reminds me of my trip last year, our first time in Quetico, our first portage straight out of the plane that didn't even leave us on shore.

We landed on Basswood and headed towards Kett, and this is the portage to the unnamed lake between the two.

We didn't know what to expect, but reading now about the storm it makes sense, there was no way for someone to carry the canoe or packs without help from 2 or 3 in some areas, we had to be leapfrogging everything above, below, and around trees.







It was no biggie, just a psychological challenge.

Thankfully it got much better on the next portages and we even had lunch here about halfway to Sarah.

quote MooseBones:
"

Is that at Louisa Falls?
That's portaging the hard way.

quote ogarza: "This reminds me of my trip last year, our first time in Quetico, our first portage straight out of the plane that didn't even leave us on shore.


We landed on Basswood and headed towards Kett, and this is the portage to the unnamed lake between the two.


We didn't know what to expect, but reading now about the storm it makes sense, there was no way for someone to carry the canoe or packs without help from 2 or 3 in some areas, we had to be leapfrogging everything above, below, and around trees.








It was no biggie, just a psychological challenge.


Thankfully it got much better on the next portages and we even had lunch here about halfway to Sarah.
"

It's worse than that now! I was just through those portages last week.

Don't like to hear that! I'm heading through there June 2 and back out June 8 or so...
I carry a solo canoe through there, twice. While my 21 year old daughter is carrying the packs.

Maybe if there was a gentleman's rule that you cut ONE tree on every portage...in a month or less it would be clear. Maybe I'll bring my little pocket chain saw and take one on--never have tried that thing.

Joe

You'll both get through there without a problem. I took a 10in Corona Razor tooth tree saw and was able to cut enough to make it easier. It will need trail crew to pass through there though to clear out the 12+ stuff but in the meantime just take it slow.

It's really only one dry swamp area where that above photo is taken that presents a bit of a labyrinth to navigate. I carried my solo boat through and then my portage packs and cut as I went.

quote Stumpy: "

quote MooseBones:
"

Is that at Louisa Falls?
That's portaging the hard way."

Stumpy: Yes, that was Louisa. It was sketchy at times, but it was well worth the effort. Not sure I would want to do it if it was raining, though.

-MB