How hard is this portage, don't really want over work the wife, plan on just taking are time, want to make a loop threw this area.

IMHO it's one of the toughest maintained portages in the BWCA.

Is it really steep when going down to Pine, and are there a lot of rocks?

housty-

I day tripped it from Canoe several years ago with just a light pack. It took me close to 25 minutes to walk it. This is my memory of it:

It is every bit of the 270 rods listed, maybe more. It has more elevation gain than any other portage I've done and I don't shy away from those. It's not quite as tough as "The Wall" from Muskeg to Kiskadinna. I would put it in the same category as Fente to Hub and Zenith to Lujenida, although that one is a bit longer.

It starts with a steep, moderately long climb straight up the hill from Canoe. There are one or two similar descents and climbs between there and the final descent. Somewhere in there is a boardwalk. The descent to Pine (around 200 feet ? - check the map contour lines) is so long and steep that the trail switchbacks, which makes it not too bad there. That part of the trail has good tread, as does most of it really. The landing on each side is easy.

Thanks boonie.

I agree one if not the toughest portage I've ever done

If we don't go back to Mudro in the fall - we plan to take a loop that includes this epic portage. I haven't done it yet but I heard its a mother trucker.

Wouldn't recommend it unless you packed light and have a kevlar boat. It's easily a mile long and pretty steadily gains elevation from Pine to Canoe. Also has bogs with boardwalks that didn't extend all the way past the water and like 3 or 4 downed trees when were on it last year. It's a fantastic day hike (Johnson falls is awesome) but man that thing would be a killer to portage.. especially if you double portage.