Howdy folks, been awhile since I visited here.

My last (27th) BWCA trip was in spring 2011...

(yes, I know; a long time, but I've had many other fabulous vacations since then including a 2 week RV trip to the CA coast with my wife and dogs for our 25th anniversary, a trip to Banff, Idaho/Wyoming for hot springs, Madeline Island, etc.)

...8 weeks after my last knee surgery (soccer injury). I did fine on the 2011 trip - 30+ portages on a big loop: Sag through Ester/Cherry/Hanson/S Arm Knife/Ogish/ out on Seagull. My soccer playing days are over and I'm concerned now that my 54 y/o soccer knees can't tackle some of the up/down portages my experience tells me are out there.

I've never done a solo trip and have considered the Bower Trout to Swan trip as a good solo intro. My question is: are the portages along this route generally flat or are there hills to climb? Seems like a river route, hence typically flat portages, but I also know that area to be pretty hilly.

Thinking of a fall trip. Thanks in advance for any prior knowledge you can impart.

I have gone into Bower Trout on a day trip and it is very flat. They all look flat on the topo map with Bower Trout to Marshall having small elevation gain - take a look for yourself.

I have been from Bower Trout to Brule and beyond on my first trip to the BW. The portages were easy. Even the mile one from Swan to Vernon is mostly flat. Enjoy your trip!

My first portaging trip in BW was Bower Trout to Ram Lake. I don't remember any difficulty to Swan Lake. Now Misquah to Little Trout, that was a honey.

As others have said, I think you'll be alright. I think the spot you'd run into trouble would be the Vernon-Brule bay portage. It's a tough up hill to Brule but, it doesn't sound like you're going that far. Although, if you're up for it? I'd recommend checking out the beautiful waterfall along that trail. It can be reached from the Vernon lake campsite near there as well.

Thanks, everyone, for your helpful comments. Yes Warhawk, I'm aware of the route from Little Trout up through Vista - one of my earliest trips was through there, I think once was enough! :)

TuscaroraBorealis, I was only planning to go as far as Swan and exit how I entered. 4 or 5 day trip. I very much appreciate your suggestion, sounds like a great day trip option!

I had the family in at Swan for a week. The last night it rained hard and the portages were wet. I told everyone to be careful as everything is slippery. I should have heeded my own advice as I slipped on a mossy rock while carrying the canoe on one of the portages headed back to Bower Trout. I hit my shin so hard that I first thought I broke my leg, but upon closer examination, I ripped a hole in my shin down to the bone. The hole was about quarter size on the surface and about a dime size portion of bone was visible. Funny thing was, it barely bled.

Ouch! Proof that even flat portages can be dangerous