So maybe this info is on the site somewhere but my searches did not find it.

I will be going between LLC and Iron. Understand there are portage options on both sides.

But I won't be in a hurry that day, and will want to spend some time around the falls (US side only...)

The question is: Can a guy who is traveling solo/light find a route along the border, rock-hopping past those Bottle River rapids & going thru Bottle Lake - and not taking either the longer US portage or the Bottle Portage?

The only thing I saw was that the channel at the east end of Bottle Lake is usually not navigable and must be lined or portaged.

Can you? Sure, but it wouldn't be the slightest amount of enjoyable. See the photo of the lower section of rapids just before it enters LLC.

Take the bottle portage.

That is a really nice photo, s23!!

Agree with taking the bottle portage....it's not difficult, just make sure to take the fork leading to higher ground (away from the river)....

Bottle portage was a little muddy but no big deal last time I was through there. The river is narrow, rocky, and not paddle-able in places. You'd be hopping around on rocks with all your stuff. Cool area to explore (but better be on the US side for that) but I wouldn't try to travel down the river.

sns: "So maybe this info is on the site somewhere but my searches did not find it.

I will be going between LLC and Iron. Understand there are portage options on both sides.

But I won't be in a hurry that day, and will want to spend some time around the falls (US side only...)

The question is: Can a guy who is traveling solo/light find a route along the border, rock-hopping past those Bottle River rapids & going thru Bottle Lake - and not taking either the longer US portage or the Bottle Portage?

The only thing I saw was that the channel at the eas
t end of Bottle Lake is usually not navigable and must be lined or portaged."

Yep. I have done it, and enjoyed it. It was a little challenging, but doable if you aren't in a hurry. It was was quite scenic.

Thanks for the thoughts, all...

I'm planning on poking around and killing a few hours around the rapids and Bottle Lake. Will play it by ear.

siusaluki23: "Can you? Sure, but it wouldn't be the slightest amount of enjoyable. See the photo of the lower section of rapids just before it enters LLC.


Take the bottle portage. "

If you are going in the late summer/fall, that section will be very low and would be much more difficult. This picture is from late may/early June with high water levels.

Early June...here's hoping for rain!

sns: "Early June...here's hoping for rain!"

I did it in May, sometime around fishing opener. In some sections lower water might give you the opportunity to get in the water and do some lining, which would be easier then a bushwhack portage.

I portaged a MN3 through there, and I'm sure your solo canoe would be easier to push through the bush. To be honest, I naively went there assuming there would be at least a trace of old portages that would make it easier. It was a couple hours of work, but there was some really nice scenery, and no people, of course. I recall there being a lot of eagles in the trees along the river, which made me wonder if there was some sort of fish migration going on.