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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Winter Camping and Activities :: Topper to South Portage
 
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arctic
02/04/2025 10:37AM
  
I've camped in winter on South and skied into North an beyond. It's a big drop down to South from Topper and a heckuva workout to get back up it with gear, but doable. Almost certainly, there is a broken trail, and hopefully it's not icy.

There will likely be snowmobile traffic on the Canadian side of South.
 
Pinetree
02/01/2025 10:37AM
  
LindenTree: "I have done it a couple times and only in the summer. I really can't imagine pulling a sled with much of any weight, down and back up that portage into South Lake. It was a doozy, steep and long. The BWCA Rangers I was with were also cursing that portage into South Lake. Stairway portage was a cake walk compared to the portage into South."


Depending on the winter the portage down to south can get real Icey.
 
OgimaaBines
01/08/2025 03:52PM
  
Gadfly: "I have stay on topper and day fished south a few different times with a hot tent and it would be pretty tough pulling a sled up that hill. I did see a group of about 4 do it one year but I think they double portaged essentially. If you are in good shape and pack really light I am sure it is doable but I have never tried. "
Yeah, For winter camping I tend not to do the ultralight approach. Plus I'll be solo, so I'm leaning towards doing what you did and packing my day fishing gear down in a portage pack. Topper is a pretty lake as well. Thanks y'all!
 
OgimaaBines
01/03/2025 11:38PM
  
I'm thinking of going to South Lake this winter by way of Mayhew Road>Topper>South. That portage from Topper to South appears a doozy, though I've not been on it. I've been in to Topper by way of the Border Route Trail during the summer but didn't explore this portage.

It sounds like some people might use it for day fishing in winter. I'd be looking to break the toboggan up on this portage and bring things down on 2-3 seperate trips. I like to hot-tent so will have a stove and a tipi tent. I've also got some Sherpa snow claw snowshoes with excellent traction for the hills. I've considered staying on Topper, and day tripping down to South with just my fishing gear, but I'd really like to get my full setup down there and have that big hill as a backdrop and check out the Height of Land portage in the wintertime.

Has anyone been in here in the winter? Thoughts on feasibility with a lot of snow?
 
Gadfly
01/10/2025 02:06PM
  
Yes, it is one of my favorite lakes. One year we spent 4 nights on there and only saw one person going for a ski the entire trip. The next time we went stayed there we saw multiple groups going down to South Lake for day trips and 2 other groups camping on Topper. The one night it was very cold and calm and we could easily hear conversations going on across the lake.
 
LindenTree
01/19/2025 10:42AM
  
I have done it a couple times and only in the summer. I really can't imagine pulling a sled with much of any weight, down and back up that portage into South Lake. It was a doozy, steep and long. The BWCA Rangers I was with were also cursing that portage into South Lake. Stairway portage was a cake walk compared to the portage into South.
 
Gadfly
01/06/2025 11:53AM
  
I have stay on topper and day fished south a few different times with a hot tent and it would be pretty tough pulling a sled up that hill. I did see a group of about 4 do it one year but I think they double portaged essentially. If you are in good shape and pack really light I am sure it is doable but I have never tried.
 
Minnesotian
01/04/2025 04:51PM
  

Haven't been to South in the winter, but I did stay at there during the summer about 12 years ago when hiking the Border Route.


From Topper to South campsite via the Border Route is about 6.5 miles.


I don't remember anything specific about the trail from the campsite on South back up to the Border Route other then the fact I clearly remember saying to myself I never want to do this again. It was steep, rocky, and seemed to go on longer then the map said.


Having stayed at the South campsite and then the Topper campsite the next night, my hiking parter and I agreed the Topper site was much better. Additionally, you may want to do some research into the fish speices of Topper Lake (hint, hint.)


Overall, I would say it is feasible, but it will be a long day from Topper down to South campsite and you will be cursing beinging one ounce of extra gear. If you go, watch the forecast with a hawk's eye and if there is any amout of snow predicited for when you go, I recommed staying on Topper.


You also might want to hear from TuscaroraBorealis. He has a trip report from the winter for that route upto Sock Lake. https://bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=trip.report_view&sel_trp_id=4833
 
OgimaaBines
01/04/2025 09:14PM
  
Thanks MN! I appreciate the info and the find on Tusca's trip report. My wife and I camped at the site just off the portage on the east side of South. I was excited about the laker fishing but we got windbound SO we bushwacked to the campsite you referenced and did that long uphill to the BRT and the overlooks above Rat. Now that you mention it, that does put it into perspective. Them brookies are fun as well. Topper is looking better and better, and as you said, the weather may take the choice out of my hands anyway. Thanks again
 
OgimaaBines
02/13/2025 02:44PM
  
arctic: "I've camped in winter on South and skied into North an beyond. It's a big drop down to South from Topper and a heckuva workout to get back up it with gear, but doable. Almost certainly, there is a broken trail, and hopefully it's not icy.


There will likely be snowmobile traffic on the Canadian side of South."


Understood. I may still make my way down there but I'll see what the conditions are on the portage down. Heading in late next week so hopefully there's some traffic and a broken trail. I'd enjoy South, but Topper will be good as well. Thanks everyone!