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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Quetico Afficionados :: Darky to Bottle portage- how many hours?
 
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dentondoc
04/09/2013 08:42PM
 
Last year, we made Bottle by 10:00 with a herd of other folks. We didn't make any effort to get ahead of them but still had lunch at the beginning of Curtain Falls portage. Traveling solo, double portaging, we called it good at Middle Roland by around 2:30 in the afternoon. Weren't in any hurry.


So, yes. You could make it to Darky in a day if you've got the bit in your teeth.


dd

 
timatkn
04/09/2013 08:30PM
 
IN 2007 we put in at Bottle at 10:00 AM, stopped at Rebecca, had lunch near Curtain, fished our way up Argo, then were camped on Darky by 5:30.


Single portages--fully loaded first day--fishing and site seeing along the way--good weather. Could be done faster than what we did I am sure but hopefully gives ya an idea.


T
 
walllee
04/08/2013 10:33AM
 
How many hours will it take me to get from Darky to Bottle portage?I know wind and weather will play a role. We will be double portaging also.
 
old_salt
04/08/2013 10:44AM
 
If you're looking to exit park to catch a tow, it would be quicker to follow Darky River and exit at Black Robe. When we go from Bottle to Darky, we usually overnight on Middle Roland or Argo.
 
Whitepine
04/08/2013 12:04PM
 
We would double/triple portage from Bottle to Argo in about 6 hours going over the hill from Sunday Bay. Figure another 1.5-2 or so down Argo to Darky. We travel heavy on the way in, and it is mostly uphill. Would say you are around 8 hours or so on the high end, 6 on the low end. Single portaging on the way out, we could make it in 3.5 hours from the middle of Argo to LLC.


I agree with old_salt, it would be quicker to exit at Black Robe via the river.
 
bojibob
04/08/2013 01:10PM
 
That is about a 13.5 mile trek with 7 portages. I'm sure it doable but it would be such a shame to blow through that part of Quetico. I think the Roland Chain, Curtain Falls, Rebecca Falls are worth spending some time.


I'm not sure what your total trip route is but that area is one of my favorite areas of all of Quetico and we recommend you consider taking a couple of days to get through it as a minimum. You won't regret it



 
OldGreyGoose
04/08/2013 02:06PM
 
Agree with Darky to Black Robe option. Took us about 5 "easy" hours from Darky to Minn via the river. (River was "full" and we walked through one spot where a portage is sometimes needed. We camped on Minn. Allow another 2 hours from Minn to BR. The river was very enjoyable. --Goose