BWCA Burntside-Crab portage with kids Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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CoffeeInTheWoods
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05/11/2019 07:01AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Anyone got experience taking kids across the Burntside-Crab portage with kids? I'll be taking my daughters (13 and 10) on that route in August. They're old enough to haul a decent load, but we'll definitely be double-portaging. Had to switch plans and they wound up on the trip with the long portage. What should I expect? They're pretty tough, but this will be by far their longest portage.

Any campsite recommendations on Crab or Cummings with great swimming? (That's the priority with these two.)
 
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05/11/2019 07:48AM  
It is long but not super hard. A few ups and downs but nothing that your kids shouldn’t be able to tackle. There is one low spot in the middle that can get pretty wet if there has been a lot of rain. I have never stayed on Crab only Cummings. The far northeast site is big and has a trail you can walk. I never did any swimming there but did see a group swimming there last fall.The northeast island site is great.The peninsula site in the middle looks nice and might be a good spot for swimming but I haven’t stayed at it. It is a beautiful lake with great bass fishing that usually isn’t crowded.
05/11/2019 09:05AM  
No experience with kids, but I entered there about 12 years ago (after the re-route). Aside from being long (you'll walk over 3 miles), it's not hard - easy landings, good trail, mostly level or very gradual climb.
TuscaroraBorealis
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05/11/2019 01:20PM  
Agree with what's been said, and will add the Burntside end has some boulders on the trail but nothing that should be cause for serious alarm. Once you get past the low spot near mid trail, the back half (on the Crab end) is really a quite pleasant trail and ends at a beach.

Aurora was only 4 when we did it and she had no problems.

Trip report

I highly recommend Crab lake site #312
The Great Outdoors
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05/11/2019 01:51PM  
The Portage to Crab used to be a road years ago, used for logging and by Toimi Ahola, a cabin owner. He drove his "DUCK" across it, then entered Crab Lake and continued on to his property which was about halfway down the lake on the left side!
I've walked it hundreds of times over the years, but never since the portage entrance on Burntside was moved about 1/4 mile south to where it now is.
After the creek/beaver pond wet spot in the middle, very easy to walk.
treehorn
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05/13/2019 09:05AM  
Just prepare them by warning them how long it will actually take, and don't overload them with gear. It is not a terribly difficult portage, but if they're carrying more than they're comfortable with, it will wear on them. Have them bring water and a snack for the walk back.

I've only done the portage once and we were sharing it with two other family groups...both were arguing and complaining amongst each other, with the kids wanting to throw in the towel, etc. I think it's tough because it's the very first portage of the trip, so you don't really have your process down yet or know what you can comfortably carry.

The first island you get to on Cummings is an excellent site. Swimming is not ideal from there, but certainly doable. There are a bunch of boulders near the shore that you have to slip-slide on as you enter and exit the water, and getting out was tricky every time. Can't speak to any other sites in the area.
 
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