Any feedback on this portage? Looks long and steep.

Tia

That's a pretty accurate assessment.

It’s a bad one. There are worse, but not many.

But.....it is good trail bed. Not rocky or rooty. Couple boardwalks in the low spots.

I just day tripped from canoe to the Falls. Could not imagine carrying a pack and canoe up that trail.



View at the top was pretty though.

I don't recall the trail itself being bad but it is up or downhill most of the way with many switch backs

Just got back from there this weekend! We went in East Bearskin and exited on Clearwater. The portage from Canoe to Pine (keep going left to continue on up to Johnson Falls) was pretty bad for us. The day we did it , we had a sunny and probably 80 degree day with little to no wind which contributed to my view, lol Coming out of Canoe, the portage is mostly uphill, there are some level and good spots, but the start will really get your heart going. Plus we had a lot of rain which gave the portage some really nice shoe sucker mud holes. It's fairly long and has it's share of rocky areas but I don't remember any trees down over that portage, it's doable, just take it easy and you should be fine! It is well worth the effort as Johnson falls is impressive! Finally got one more of my bucket list places in the BWCAW checked off. The two portages going into Clearwater are also not to be taken lightly either, maybe not as hard (Depending on direction of travel) but still not "easy". I would highly recommend doing whatever portages you chose to get in to see Johnson Falls - so worth it! Really COLD water swimming under the falls though, so be ready for that. We spent about 4 hours there, had a no cook lunch and really enjoyed it.

I think the only part of the portage that makes it difficult is the length. If you can move at a moderate pace and are in decent shape, it's mostly just a long walk in the woods. I've done it 4 or 5 times and it gets easier and shorter every time.

be sure to check out the colossal cedar tree just downstream from the lower falls.

Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions. I've been to Johnson Falls from Pine... trail is to the right, west and wiggles about. The maps show one line for portage, no real line for trail to Falls. So is the portage to the left or off the teail to Falls? I don't recall seeing a spur. I've been up past the Falls to the "hanging" lake is that also the portage? I didn't cross the water at the headwaters. Thanks again. Might give it a go next summer.

VaderStrom: "I think the only part of the portage that makes it difficult is the length. If you can move at a moderate pace and are in decent shape, it's mostly just a long walk in the woods. I've done it 4 or 5 times and it gets easier and shorter every time."

Also my memory of it. Walked it with a day pack as a day trip to visit Johnson Falls. I was 65 yrs old at the time and camped on Alder. A wide, rolling ups and downs but nothing severe in climbs that I recall. About mid-way, greeted a grandpa with two kids in tow headed to Canoe Lake. Kids were about 6 & 8 yrs old.
If I was trekking this portage with load of packs & canoe I think I'd remember it a bit differently. :)
edit: path to the falls approaching from Canoe is off to left. woodsy, well-worn path w/wet spots eventually meander left to the Falls. would require an effort to get it wrong.

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Allyson: "Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions. I've been to Johnson Falls from Pine... trail is to the right, west and wiggles about. The maps show one line for portage, no real line for trail to Falls. So is the portage to the left or off the teail to Falls? I don't recall seeing a spur. I've been up past the Falls to the "hanging" lake is that also the portage? I didn't cross the water at the headwaters. Thanks again. Might give it a go next summer."

I've done it a couple of times. It does get the heart pumping.

Oops, a little HTML quote bracket problem here.

That's better...

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IndyScouters: "

Allyson: "Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions. I've been to Johnson Falls from Pine... trail is to the right, west and wiggles about. The maps show one line for portage, no real line for trail to Falls. So is the portage to the left or off the teail to Falls? I don't recall seeing a spur. I've been up past the Falls to the "hanging" lake is that also the portage? I didn't cross the water at the headwaters. Thanks again. Might give it a go next summer." "

Sorry for the repeat! I didn't see Schweady's endquote fix.