Ok I have heard a lot about this portage. Just how rough is it? Scale 1-10. I'm 60 years old in good health but have had two back surgeries ten years ago and have some nerve damage in my right leg. Too much to consider? (I can still carry a 50 lb pack fine)

It's not bad...just a little long and some elevation to climb. I'd give it a 6 out of 10 for a BWCA portage.

BeaV: "It's not bad...just a little long and some elevation to climb. I'd give it a 6 out of 10 for a BWCA portage."

Thanks

There is modest elevation gain on both sides but it's not extreme. We did the portage a couple of times, with gear and just day-tripping, and it is pretty straightforward. I'd agree with BeaV - 6/10.

Read the portage reviews on this site. This portage has several reviews.

Up hill both ways. Beautiful hike.

I've only taken that portage on a day trip. I don't remember anything about it. I only remember portages if they're really difficult or really picturesque.

flytyer: "Up hill both ways. Beautiful hike."

Agree. I double portage most of the time. It gives me the opportunity to take it all in.

If you haven't seen them already???

Map section comments on Ensign to Vera portage

TuscaroraBorealis: " If you haven't seen them already???

Map section comments on Ensign to Vera portage "

Thank you, looks like a little difference of opinions

preacherdave: "

TuscaroraBorealis: " If you haven't seen them already???


Map section comments on Ensign to Vera portage "

Thank you, looks like a little difference of opinions"

Agree there appears to be very different opinions on the portage. I wonder how much weather might play a role in the various perspectives. We were there in excellent weather, noticed the elevation on both ends, but didn't think it was that strenous. I still say 6/10 from my memory.

Hopefully you have enough info to give it a go and that it goes well for you.

Given your mitigating circumstances it is a 7-8...maybe more. Three years ago, at 67 and in excellent condition relative to my age, I carried a big pack and did fine...but it was all that I wanted.

Are you staying on Vera-additional plans???

outsidethebox: "Given your mitigating circumstances it is a 7-8...maybe more. Three years ago, at 67 and in excellent condition relative to my age, I carried a big pack and did fine...but it was all that I wanted.

Are you staying on Vera-additional plans???"

Not sure about our plans yet. Heading in May 21 with a tow. Just considering Ensign then into Vera and maybe over to Ima and out through Snowbank. Other idea was SAK. Thoughts?

When I and my son took our 1st trip, this was our first real portage, not counting the couple little hops into ensign. We had heard it was a beast and when we got done we both went "that's it?".

It's a double hill, you go up, down, and back up both ways. But the trail is good and easy to follow. If it's wet from rain you'll need to be very careful. If it's dry it's not bad at all.

Make sure you stop at the top of the hill and look around. It's quite the view. I even had a little cell service and made a surprise call to my wife.

For trip suggestions, the area is beautiful, you can't really go wrong. The water in SAK is unbelievable clear. Eddy falls is well worth the trip as well.

preacherdave: "

outsidethebox: "Given your mitigating circumstances it is a 7-8...maybe more. Three years ago, at 67 and in excellent condition relative to my age, I carried a big pack and did fine...but it was all that I wanted.


Are you staying on Vera-additional plans???"

Not sure about our plans yet. Heading in May 21 with a tow. Just considering Ensign then into Vera and maybe over to Ima and out through Snowbank. Other idea was SAK. Thoughts?"

That is quite the trip. This is about knowing yourself-what your capabilities are. As I like to say, the human's two greatest weaknesses are our inability to self-assess and our ability to rationalize. If you can do this then you should. However...

It’s been quite awhile since I’ve been on that portage, I’d Agree with the 6/10 rating. Also remember finding the portage with quite a diverse amount of stuff to look at. Some sort of scrubby oak trees with branches sturdy enough to hold human weight :)

We hiked it one day without gear to see what it was like. There are areas to watch your footing but the portage is worth it to spend some time on Vera lake. The water is such an amazing color. Pretty sure there are wolves in the area judging by all the scat in our campsite.

Good luck with your trip and be safe!

outsidethebox: "

preacherdave: "

outsidethebox: "Given your mitigating circumstances it is a 7-8...maybe more. Three years ago, at 67 and in excellent condition relative to my age, I carried a big pack and did fine...but it was all that I wanted.



Are you staying on Vera-additional plans???"

Not sure about our plans yet. Heading in May 21 with a tow. Just considering Ensign then into Vera and maybe over to Ima and out through Snowbank. Other idea was SAK. Thoughts?"

That is quite the trip. This is about knowing yourself-what your capabilities are. As I like to say, the human's two greatest weaknesses are our inability to self-assess and our ability to rationalize. If you can do this then you should. However..."

Yeah I was doing to much thinking out loud. If we looped out at Snowbank we would skip the jaunt into Vera.

Mocha: "It’s been quite awhile since I’ve been on that portage, I’d Agree with the 6/10 rating. Also remember finding the portage with quite a diverse amount of stuff to look at. Some sort of scrubby oak trees with branches sturdy enough to hold human weight :)


We hiked it one day without gear to see what it was like. There are areas to watch your footing but the portage is worth it to spend some time on Vera lake. The water is such an amazing color. Pretty sure there are wolves in the area judging by all the scat in our campsite.


Good luck with your trip and be safe!"

Thanks, leaning towards this route

Mocha: "It’s been quite awhile since I’ve been on that portage, I’d Agree with the 6/10 rating. Also remember finding the portage with quite a diverse amount of stuff to look at. Some sort of scrubby oak trees with branches sturdy enough to hold human weight :)


We hiked it one day without gear to see what it was like. There are areas to watch your footing but the portage is worth it to spend some time on Vera lake. The water is such an amazing color. Pretty sure there are wolves in the area judging by all the scat in our campsite.


Good luck with your trip and be safe!"

Thanks, leaning towards this route

I took a day trip to Vera last Sep. Took my wife (65) myself (67) and our two companions (ten years younger). The man (who runs about 10 miles a day) said it was a bitch. The woman who is fit, said it was hard.
The two men carried Kevlar Champlains and the women just carried paddles and a small day pack.
The difficulty IMHO is not the elevation change, it is the large rocks along the trail. Sometimes you have to step up maybe12-18 inches. My wife literally had to crawl over one rock. The path in those areas is narrow and no way to find a slope to walk up and around the rocks. That being said, I did it but it was a close call. When I come upon one of those large step situations, I bounce the canoe off my shoulders so that as the canoe is in the air, I make the step...otherwise, my knees are just not strong enough. Gonna be working on that issue over the next six months.
Vera as absolutely beautiful BTW.

I did it once and that was enough for me. Vera is a beautiful crystal clear lake however.

Agree with the 6.0 rating, although as with any portage a lot depends on conditions. If things are wet after a long rain it can increase the difficulty. Vera is worth the trip.

The portage is absolutely gorgeous, though you pay for the view haha. If taken slow, it may be manageable. If it is wet, I'd be very cautious as it is a lot of smooth rock. Vera is a very pretty lake & less traveled (I crossed it a few times last year & only saw one group s starting the portage as I was competing it). It's not near as difficult as Knife to Vera...