Done lots of trips with standard gear; requiring double portages.
We also backpack, so this year we want to try something different, go ultralight-ish and extend the miles a bit; and single portage. We have been most everywhere except far west, and far east, i.e. man chain (of the group only I have been there but 1984, same trip started Louisa to Kawnipi). So man chain is where we were thinking for the first leg.

How long to travel with single portaging (for simplicity d/n include all the lakes on the route)... Moose L parking lot, EP #62 carp lake, man chain, falls chain, Kawnipi, work over/down to Eag, Camel, Death March, return through Brent, Sarah, North Bay, Prairie, Moose. One lay-over day for weather.

Option would be after falls chain, Kawnipi; head up into McKenzie, and return, then out through McKewen to Louisa, Sunday and out. However, is it feasible to do McKenzie, creek to Ferguson, over to Cache River, back to Kawnipi?

Thanks ahead of time.

I am always hesitant to give an estimate of time since every group travels very differently. One group I went with drove from the Twin Cities to Moose, checked in at Prairie and made it all the way to Sag-----in one day. Another group of older guys I go with moves every day but only travels for five hours or so a day.
With that said I would estimate about 9-10 days for an average group. But, again, it depends mostly on your group's experience, age, weather, conditioning, fishing interest and mostly desire to travel.

Either of your described trips could be done in 5-6 very long marathon days, but why? Make it 8-9 days, sight see, fish a bit, tell tales at the fire, have a sleep in day, get up early and catch fish for breakfast and have a nap. This wilderness is there for you to enjoy.

On a separate note, I like Ferguson, but beware the portage from there to the Cache River (see my past thread on Worst Portages in Quetico). This is a very nasty waist deep and long muck sucker.

quote Eyedocron: "This is a very nasty waist deep and long muck sucker."

That portage sounds fun. I'll have me some of that! LOL