Is it reasonable to attempt going from EP 14 all the way to Fat Lake in one day? I'll be single portaging and I am a pretty strong paddler. I'm going to give the portage from Slim to Fat a try. If it's too hard to follow, I can back out and head around the horn through Steep. Anyone been this way, and have tips or recommendations to share? I'm planning on continuing from Fat and heading east through Finger and Pocket, then south through Ge Be and Oyster, then west through Hustler and back to the EP. It's a 5 day trip. Any tips would be greatly appreciated as this will be my first solo.

Personally, I would go around that portage from Slim/Fat unless it's cleared up a lot in recent years, but I doubt it. It's a tough portage to follow, but if you have a saw and the patience to walk it first without your canoe, you might be ok. I got turned around on it a couple years ago in April/May when it wasn't overgrown at all. If you do try it please post and let us know what kind of condition it is in. I hope its recovered or been cleared, but I'd for sure recommend walking it first to make sure you can find it all the way through. The start, as I found it, was just south of a small creek that runs into Slim. You'll want to climb the hill right away as much as possible and not cross the creek or swamps, keep them on your left.

quote VaderStrom: "Personally, I would go around that portage from Slim/Fat unless it's cleared up a lot in recent years, but I doubt it. It's a tough portage to follow, but if you have a saw and the patience to walk it first without your canoe, you might be ok. I got turned around on it a couple years ago in April/May when it wasn't overgrown at all. If you do try it please post and let us know what kind of condition it is in. I hope its recovered or been cleared, but I'd for sure recommend walking it first to make sure you can find it all the way through. The start, as I found it, was just south of a small creek that runs into Slim. You'll want to climb the hill right away as much as possible and not cross the creek or swamps, keep them on your left."

Thanks so much for the info. I was definitely planning on scouting that portage out of Slim before bringing the boat. I've heard it's tough to follow and can get pretty thick. I'll definitely keep my map and compass at the ready. I will be sure to report back on its condition in my trip report which I'll write promptly after my return. Thanks again.

I tried going that way on day 2 of a 2012 solo. I went with a pack on and turned around after 30 yards. It petered out and I didn't feel like struggling with all the blow down also. It would help to have a GPS and a saw and just take a small pack all the way through to see if you want to take the rest. I would definitely do this when your fresh and rested on day 2.

Some photos - start, middle, end - on a map on a web site that can't be named here - from someone who did this just a year ago. Looks like bushwhacking but apparently he made it.

I'd never heard of it when I did my loop through LISN many years ago. Steep was a nice little lake; I spent a night there. Any particular reason you want to skip it?

I did this same exact loop about 5 years ago. I started early the first day making it all the way to Thumb, and then bushwhacked into Contentment for the first night. I continued the loop and was back out in 3 days total. It can be done, just take your time on the Fat portage. This portage is a long gradual climb the entire way. There are a couple 90 degree corners so keep an eye out for those.

quote PortageKeeper: "I did this same exact loop about 5 years ago. I started early the first day making it all the way to Thumb, and then bushwhacked into Contentment for the first night. I continued the loop and was back out in 3 days total. It can be done, just take your time on the Fat portage. This portage is a long gradual climb the entire way. There are a couple 90 degree corners so keep an eye out for those."

Thanks so much PK! I really appreciate the input and all the hard work you do in the spring. Thank you so much. I've heard there's some tight turns on that portage. I'm hoping it's the only portage that I will have to double portage. I talked my wife into letting me stay an extra day, so I've got 5 days to do my loop which is nice because I'd like to layover somewhere, maybe Finger Lake. I'm intrigued by Contentment, looks like a real gem. I can't wait!

quote boonie: "I'd never heard of it when I did my loop through LISN many years ago. Steep was a nice little lake; I spent a night there. Any particular reason you want to skip it?"

I definitely don't have to do the shortcut, I just thought it would buy me some more time on Fat. I will definitely proceed with caution and head back around through Steep and Eugene if I feel like I'm getting turned around on the Slim-Fat portage.

In May BlueSkiesWI went from Slim-Fat-Eugene as part of his 9 day loop. I remember him saying it was tough, but he made it through. I know he had to use his saw to cut enough away to get the canoe through in places, and he did have to double portage. I'm sure he'd respond and give you more info, but he is in Utah for the summer and has very limited access to the Internet. I'm lucky to get a text once a week, and I'm his mom!

quote anthonyp007: "

quote boonie: "I'd never heard of it when I did my loop through LISN many years ago. Steep was a nice little lake; I spent a night there. Any particular reason you want to skip it?"

I definitely don't have to do the shortcut, I just thought it would buy me some more time on Fat. I will definitely proceed with caution and head back around through Steep and Eugene if I feel like I'm getting turned around on the Slim-Fat portage. "

I assumed you were trying to cut distance and time with only 5 days, and it'll probably cut out about 4 miles and some time, if it's not too difficult. The portage to Steep is steep, btw. It's a nice loop, you'll enjoy it. Finger is a nice lake. Are you are planning to stay on Fat. . . ?

If you stay on finger consider the less used northern site on the big island. The site is small but good landing and really nice views of the lake and sunset compared to the southern island site which is very big and nice and much used. I stayed there on a solo in 2012.

quote boonie: "

quote anthonyp007: "

quote boonie: "I'd never heard of it when I did my loop through LISN many years ago. Steep was a nice little lake; I spent a night there. Any particular reason you want to skip it?"

I definitely don't have to do the shortcut, I just thought it would buy me some more time on Fat. I will definitely proceed with caution and head back around through Steep and Eugene if I feel like I'm getting turned around on the Slim-Fat portage. "

I assumed you were trying to cut distance and time with only 5 days, and it'll probably cut out about 4 miles and some time, if it's not too difficult. The portage to Steep is steep, btw. It's a nice loop, you'll enjoy it. Finger is a nice lake. Are you are planning to stay on Fat. . . ? "

I was planning to camp first night on Fat, if it was open. I heard the clarity of the water on Fat is astonishing.

quote anthonyp007: "

quote boonie: "

quote anthonyp007: "

quote boonie: "I'd never heard of it when I did my loop through LISN many years ago. Steep was a nice little lake; I spent a night there. Any particular reason you want to skip it?"

I definitely don't have to do the shortcut, I just thought it would buy me some more time on Fat. I will definitely proceed with caution and head back around through Steep and Eugene if I feel like I'm getting turned around on the Slim-Fat portage. "

I assumed you were trying to cut distance and time with only 5 days, and it'll probably cut out about 4 miles and some time, if it's not too difficult. The portage to Steep is steep, btw. It's a nice loop, you'll enjoy it. Finger is a nice lake. Are you are planning to stay on Fat. . . ? "

I was planning to camp first night on Fat, if it was open. I heard the clarity of the water on Fat is astonishing. "

Are you planning to do any Laker fishing on Fat? I'd love to hear how it goes.

I thought I'd check back and let all of you know how things went in regards to the Slim-Fat portage and conditions. I have a trip report posted as well if you'd like to check that out.

I hit the trail at EP 14 at 5:30 am and made it to Fat Lake by 11:30, using the Slim to Fat portage. Once on Slim, I hugged the eastern shoreline keeping a close eye out for the trail. It was tough to spot, but once I spotted it it was even harder to land because there were two downed pines blocking the "landing" which wasn't much of a landing at all. This was the only portage that I doubled in my entire trip because I didn't want to lose the trail. I have to say it was pretty easy to follow the trail. I had my map and compass with me just in case I got turned around, but I made it to Fat in about 20 minutes or so. I went back for the canoe and only encountered a couple of tight spots along the route. Fat Lake blew me away with the water clarity and I caught my first Laker within 2 hours of getting there! I would stay on Fat again in a heartbeat. I had run into a family heading out on the portage from Little Loon to Slim at the 10ish that first morning and I didn't see anyone for the next 3 days until I got to Oyster. I had every lake I visited to myself until Oyster. What a trip! I'm taking my son on his first trip in October with my dad and I've decided EP 14 will be our entry. There's more I want to see! Thanks for all of the suggestions and input. Can't wait for another solo opportunity.

I have done it in one day solo, but it's a workout for this old fat man. That's taking the old portage. The worst part is getting started on that last portage. After you get going, it's not bad - usually. I have gone through snow before with running water. Not much fun.

It's always been in May when I have done it.

One of my most memorable moments on Fat was the first time there with my son. Once there the clouds turning black and trying to get my hammock /camp set up. Ethan has to start fishing and after the 3rd Laker he had on I said screw it and started fishing as well. We had a blast followed by eating cold spam sandwiches under the CCS tarp that was set waist high in a down pour. True father /son moment.