Looking to go early October this fall for first time to Winchell, looking at Portage 534 it appears long and less than desirable. With the low water levels and dry season is there any insight as to the portage this year from Brule to Winchell?

Thinking of EP 41 to save us drive time otherwise if portage 534 is as bad as it reads and looks online well head from the north to poplar and hit Winchell from the north.



portage 534

I have only done it in the spring (2019), so others might have better info, but I would say this: It's longish, and probably at least a bit muddy at the south end, but it's also nice and flat and not that bad overall. Definitely a great option to get to Winchell if you want to avoid driving up the Gunflint Trail.

I was able to paddle the pond north of Mulligan, some of the portage reviews on this website say they had to portage all the way from Mulligan to Wanihigan. That might be more likely this time of year, which would add to the portage length but also eliminate some loading and unloading of the boats.

Also: one of the factors that could make this portage miserable (and lead to bad reviews) is bugs, which won't be an issue for you in October.

The route thru the Cones and Cliff is nice. Cliff Lake is quite scenic.

sedges: "The route thru the Cones and Cliff is nice. Cliff Lake is quite scenic."

This is what I would do.

straighthairedcurly: "

sedges: "The route thru the Cones and Cliff is nice. Cliff Lake is quite scenic."

This is what I would do."

I'll echo this- that area is beautiful and the portages aren't total mudpits like 534.

WhitePine1: "

straighthairedcurly: "

sedges: "The route thru the Cones and Cliff is nice. Cliff Lake is quite scenic."

This is what I would do."

I'll echo this- that area is beautiful and the portages aren't total mudpits like 534. "

Personally, I'd go one way on the way in, and the other way on the way out.

sedges: "The route thru the Cones and Cliff is nice. Cliff Lake is quite scenic."

+2

The Cone Lakes are lovely with easy portages. The only portage of any difficulty is the North Cone to Cliff. I remember it has being somewhat rocky and narrow. (But doesn't that describe most portages?)

Call a couple of outfitters and ask, but I would bet this is the route they suggest.

Depending on water levels, the first Cone portage can be waded up the gravelly-bottomed creek, the second can be paddled or waded if there are no trees fallen in it. The third I unloaded packs and then slid the canoe through. North Cone to Cliff is long, but dry and rather pretty as I recall. This was a mid-July trip eight years ago. Things can change a lot in that time.