BWCA McNiece Portage Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
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landoftheskytintedwater
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05/31/2016 11:06AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I had read past reports about the Kahs-McNiece portage and, to some extent, was expecting anything condition-wise on my trip that ended yesterday, but I have to admit it met and exceeded my worst expectations.

In addition to being tick-infested, there are probably three blow-downs that required the canoe being put down, and other 3-4 that could be slid over or climbed over with the canoe.

The only part of the portage that was fine is the first 10-15 rods starting from Kahs before the sheer rock face decline.

Anyway, just a word of warning. It's passable but it sucks.

 
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Jackfish
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05/31/2016 12:19PM  
We did that portage in 2003 and it still stands out in my memory as a tough one. Long, windy, up & down rock faces and around 2/3 of a mile. I sure liked McNiece Lake though. :)

What evidence was there of the fire they had in that area a few years ago?
landoftheskytintedwater
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05/31/2016 01:59PM  
I've been trying to figure out all the fire history. If I'm correct, most of McNiece burned in 2007-ish. A lot of the big white pines survived. There are pockets on the east side of the lake by the eastern campsite that were totally unscathed but the rest of the lake was hit. I think the west side and portage burned again in 2011 when there was the Kahshahpiwi fire.

The portage has clearly been cleared since both fires, but it appeared it hasn't gotten any maintenance in at least a year.

05/31/2016 03:28PM  
Come with me as I take the portage in Sept. 2011 just before the fire came through. Excuse my lame commentary. It does show the very steep section and also the rock face.

McNiece to Kahsh portage

 
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