It sounds like the portage leaving South Fowl Lake on the Canadian side of the Pigeon River is tree covered and will not be so easy to traverse for a short legged person like me. I am working on July 2026 plans for a solo paddle that includes going down river to Partridge Falls. Can anyone tell me answers to these questions? Note: I am looking at multiple maps both paper and digital but would prefer the wisdom of someone who has been there.

1. Is the 320 rd portage on the Canadian side of the river the only option?
2. Can you get around the dam and paddle the river below the dam?
3. It looks pretty steep, is there a trail to get up the bank of the west side of the dam?
4. If you can get up the west side of the bank, could you get to the Border Route Trail and would that trail be any more clear of downed trees (I purchased the BRT Giide and Map)?
5. Has anyone driven to Partridge Falls? I understand the road is best for ATVs but we will be in a pick up truck.

Thanks for your input!!

Just do the Canadian side. I have done it 3 times and while it is long and not well maintained, it is well used.

Tips:
1) Find the start of the portage in a bay after you've passed the little cabin on the island.
2) The start is very steep.
3) At the top of the hill, take a RIGHT. Do NOT continue straight or you will be hiking to the overlook.
4) There were about 120 logs to step over or slide under. But it is very doable. Nice easy landing at the Pigeon River.

Wise words and the conclusion I was coming too as well. Thanks for your input.

Yep, take the portage. Lots of downed trees, but I’ve done worse portages. The tricky part is to hang that right at the fork in the trail, I didn’t and it took me a good 50 meters of steep incline to realize I had screwed up. I set the canoe and pack down and continued to the top of the overlook and it was well worth it, gorgeous. Enjoy the Pigeon River, it’s beautiful.

Tony

I took my canoe all the way to the top of the overlook. Don’t do that. It is a sharp right hand turn to stay on the portage.

MagicPaddler: "I took my canoe all the way to the top of the overlook. Don’t do that. It is a sharp right hand turn to stay on the portage."

Yep, that tale is told as a warning to all new Border Route Challengers!! LOL!

You can drive to Partridge Falls in a pick up - or at least could in 2015. One of the Border Route Challenges I did ( I believe in 2015) there were parents with kids taking in the Falls which was surprising to us as we checked out the Falls and continued on. Google reviews say it can be done in Subaru Outback- though they wish they had higher clearance. But I can say for certain - in 2015- there was people there that didn't hike or canoe there- as I saw their truck and was obvious how they arrived.

Another thing on the Pigeon River- old maps in the English Rapids area show a portage going to the NE and then E and back SE to circumvent the English Rapids.
It doesn't exist anymore as far as 99% of people I know that I have done this route in the past 11 years. Do not waste you time looking for it. But would be nice if it did exist - as in low waters- that part of the English Rapids is not fun -- at least in a tandem. ( depends I guess? what you want in fun?) In a solo- you may have enough water to clear the most difficult spots.
July imo would be better for higher water compared to the 5 times I've been through in late Aug or early Sept.
BeaV or Kendra on here will have much more to say about it.

Check out Google Earth for photos of vehicles @ the Helicopter base ,Partridge Falls, Fort Charlotte back country campgrounds you can see photos from as early as 2025 so it should be doable. The Old Pigeon River Bridge may still accessible by vehicle as well . I used to fish the inflow of the Arrow River which has a decent pool but the tick population has exploded in that area so I stopped in 2012? Very pretty area very well known but lots of shallow water below Fort Charlotte and rocky portages with sharp slippery rocks. While fishing at the South Fowl Dam on the May Long in 1985 a group of canoeist coming out were carrying a woman out with a broken leg. The spring is probably the best time with high water levels to help you down stream not sure what the cell service is like in this area probably a sat phone would help if someone is going to meet you at a pick up point and for checking in.