Hi, I'm wondering what the portage is like at the start of this EP. I tried the google maps feature from this website, but for some reason, while I can see the campsites and fishing spots, the portages for this area are not showing up.

Anyone been on it? I did find one report online about it elsewhere, but it was from 1996. Hoping for slightly newer information. :)

Also, can anyone comment on the parking situation at this EP?

Thanks!

Nola,

I hiked the portage late august 2010, no gear or anything. it's a mile, there is some up and down but I thought it was a really nice 1 mile portage.

there is room for 2 or 3 cars to park at the entry. a boardwalk leads from the parking area through a wet area, then it's kinda dense forest, passes a nice big pond, then downhill to Morgan. very nice sandy landing.



the landing is sparkly sand and you can walk a ways out to set and load your canoe in the water.

The portage is long, just over a mile. It is a pretty decent trail as far as the portage is concerned. There are a couple of planks in the swamp (at the beginning by the e.p.) to walk over and then a few ups and downs. It passes a pretty pond where you could see moose. When you pass the pond there is a section of the trail where you cross a small creek that flows out of the pond. Just take it slow and watch your footing in the creek.

I thought it was a nice walk in the woods compared to the Rum to little trout portage and the little trout to Misquah portage that we crossed at the beginning of our trip. Then again, we were considerably lighter at that point as we were portaging out and ending our trip at the Morgan lake entry point.

Last spring we left one vehicle at Ram e.p. And another at Morgan. I think there is parking for 3 or four vehicles off the forest road and we had a trailer on the vehicle we left at this e.p.

I used this entry two Septembers ago so I could come out the South Brule River and walk to my car at the end of the trip. Parking was ok for 4-5 cars, The portage in was pretty average, just a bit long. Stayed on Lux Lake the first night, but can't really remember the sites specifics but know I had no complaints. The portages into Vista were short, nothing really difficult. The only problem will be getting a campsite on Vista if you want to stay there, the southernmost is a beauty, and gets alot of use, the one halfway up the lake on the west side has a really steep climb up to the site. If you are thinking of going down to Misquah it is a very small site with poor tent pads--one is rough and sloping, the other is right up against the fire grate. Not a family or child-friendly site. West shore is burned, but it is a traffic free site if you want that.

Cold May 2010. I remember it rained for two days strait and it started as we embarked on this EP portage. Fire ban was posted so we struggled the second day to warm up. Not realizing the ban was lifted that day:) It was long walk. We were heavy as it was the beginning of a trip. It is a beautiful walk in the woods. Even with the rain coming down and surviving several "heart attacks" on the way.
I see you are familiar with the area, so the distance is the only obstacle to wrestle with. Rest of the way to Gaskin was a smooth sailing.

May 2011, Approx. 2/3 of the way down the portage is the most impressive beaver dam that I've ever seen.
The portage is like the others have said, it's long, quite a few ups and downs, and parking for 3 maybe 4 cars.

I was there last year, like everyone else has said it is about a mile long with a few ups and downs but not to difficult. the parking area could fit three cars but i don't think you would ever have a problem with parking, it did not look like heavily used.

My trip report captain Morgan' is from the fall of 2010 @ should provide some answers. Its also discussed in the campsites @ portages forum.

quote TuscaroraBorealis: "My trip report captain Morgan' is from the fall of 2010 @ should provide some answers. Its also discussed in the campsites @ portages forum."

TB-- glad to see you back on!!

I have been over that portage many times and agree with the opinions here. Long but not a ridiculous amount of elevation changes and a fairly good path since they added the planks at the road side. It has been a long time since I have taken it and I am amazed at the photos of the pond in the middle. We used to stop there for a breather and gaze out over a completely dry valley full of marsh grass. Never seen any surface water in there. Still always thought it was a nice view and a good spot to see a moose. Wonder what happened...just wetter years since I have been there?

quote WhiteWolf: "

quote TuscaroraBorealis: "My trip report captain Morgan' is from the fall of 2010 @ should provide some answers. Its also discussed in the campsites @ portages forum."

TB-- glad to see you back on!!"

+1 You seemed to disappear and I hoped it was nothing bad.

quote boonie: "

quote WhiteWolf: "

quote TuscaroraBorealis: "My trip report captain Morgan' is from the fall of 2010 @ should provide some answers. Its also discussed in the campsites @ portages forum."

TB-- glad to see you back on!!"

+1 You seemed to disappear and I hoped it was nothing bad."

Thanks!

just no home internet since last summer. So my visits have greatly diminished, but I do check in on my phone occasionally. Though its a PITA to comment from the phone.

Yeah, I know TB - I don't type well on a keyboard, much less my I-phone :). Glad to hear you and yours are fine, although I miss your posts.

I was going to go in that EP, but was forced to change to East Bearskin due to the Pagami Creek fire closures.