We like to go out of Sawbill but have explored the areas east, NE and west pretty thoroughly. Considering going straight north, but a little concerned about the 460 rod portage north of Alton and Kelso, going from Lujenida to Zenith. Has anybody ever done that one, and if so, can you comment on it? Thanks.

from my trip report....

"480 rods! Its turns out to be a very tough up and down struggle. Just when it looks like I'm in for some level ground...boom! Another uphill. This theme repeats its self over and over and over on this portage. I’m able to take the gear pack across the mile and a half non-stop . The canoe/food pack carry is another matter. On three different occasions I have to drop the canoe and pack to take a break. The pack straps and portage pads are really killing my shoulders. A portage this long is as much of a mental challenge as it is a physical one. At some point while carrying the canoe and food I decide to stop looking so far ahead. I pretty much carry head down now...only viewing about forty feet of the trail at a time. It helps to not know what's in store for me. The torture ends after two hours and twenty six minutes. Glad it’s over."

LOL. Sounds like a ringing endorsement, kanoes....

its worth it. just so you can say you did. :)

I've been doing the outdoors stuff for decades... long past the point of undue suffering just so I could say I did it... pain is overrated. : ) Actually, I don't mind a challenge, but I'm with my daughter and the trip I'm looking at would require doing this portage both ways. So I thinking looking for an alternate route in that area might be the best course of action.

I always leapfrog the portage. just take your time the ups are not too steep, just a long slog. Water might be an issue so stock up at the beginning. Stop and eat a snack if you wish.
Once you get across you'll have left all the crowds behind. Be prepared for solitude.
An alternate route would be from Sawbill take the Lady Chain, up to Malberg and up the Louse River. You can then come back that portage relatively light and it's mostly downhill.

Did it 2006, solo, double-portaging, but I was LUCKY. First I was going downhill from Zenith and second, there had been about 4 inches of rain the night before. (Runoff washed out a section of road between Tofte and Sawgill Lake!)There was ankle deep water running down the trail at one point, and the "stream" around which you portage was so full that I was able to put in and paddle down to where I could almost do a "liftover" to Luji. My notes said "I’ll have a reason to come back -- to see how bad it is after a dry spell." Have not made it back, yet. I guessed that the extra water HALVED the carry. By the way, Luji/Kelso is a really neat area worth the work, in my opinion.

If you go, look for the unusual
glacial erratic
(or the result of some heavy lifting) on Lujenida.

--Goose

It is not really that bad of a portage, just long and hilly. The trip is worth it see the small but beautiful Zenith Lake. Be sure to check out the airplane wreck if you get there.

I've done that portage three times. There are some ups and downs, but overall it's not a real noteworthy portage other than the length. Footing is pretty good throughout. It is easier going from Zenith to Lujenida than the other way around.

I don't remember that portage being tough, just long, but after reading kanoes post I thought I'd better check my journals. Unfortunately I didn't note any ease or difficulty of the portage just time. Each time took me 2.5 hours to complete. I assume I leapfrogged it.

qualifier...out of shape smoker. maybe thats why i considered it pretty tough. :)