Click to View the Full Thread

Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Winter Camping and Activities :: south lake trip
 
Author Message Text
jwartman59
08/28/2014 11:07AM
 
this portage is unlike any other (that i know of) in the bwca. it is extremely steep. portaging a canoe down it required that a person assisted the canoe carrier. pulling a sled down it would be very difficult, but if you are in the mood for a challenge, this is a real opportunity. using ropes and pulleys i am certain that it could be done but if you lost control of the sled be prepared for it to take off down the 30%+ slope. going back up with a sled would be a whole different matter.
 
walleye_hunter
08/28/2014 12:01PM
 
quote jwartman59: "this portage is unlike any other (that i know of) in the bwca. it is extremely steep." Clearwater to Rove is a close second. Both are babies compared to the portage to Diablo Lake in Steel River Provincial Park.
 
walleye_hunter
08/28/2014 09:00AM
 
That hill is a bugger but many people do it on day trips and with camping gear. I've done it once with camping gear and don't have any big plans on doing it again. Now when I fish South I just take my snowmobile down Gunflint and across North. South is a good lake and usually produces lots of lakers each day so it is a fun lake to fish. The average size usually isn't too bad either. I've always had better fishing on the east half of the lake.
 
williamevans
08/28/2014 10:41AM
 
Thanks alot Walleye_hunter ! It bums me out a bit that you have no plans to return to South. That tells me the trek is not too easy of a hike. We would be hot tenting so that hill is a concern no doubt. Grateful for the tips and Id love to hear a few more thoughts.
 
walleye_hunter
08/28/2014 11:31AM
 
quote williamevans: "Thanks alot Walleye_hunter ! It bums me out a bit that you have no plans to return to South. That tells me the trek is not too easy of a hike. We would be hot tenting so that hill is a concern no doubt. Grateful for the tips and Id love to hear a few more thoughts. "
I still fish South in the winter. Just access the lake a different way with my snowmobile. People do go up and down that hill in the winter on day trips and camping trips so it is doable and there will be a trail. Just make sure your water bottles are full before you start the trip home and stop at trail center for a burger and beer. You will have earned it.
 
williamevans
08/26/2014 05:24PM
 
What are peoples thoughts on snow shoeing /hiking into south lake through Topper as far as the level of difficulty? My boy and I are in reasonable shape but our downfall is that we like to fish and usually over pack on winter trips. The distance doesn't look to be to bad but that hill looks to be a killer according to the topo maps
 
PINETREE
08/30/2014 01:13AM
 
quote walleye_hunter: "quote jwartman59: "this portage is unlike any other (that i know of) in the bwca. it is extremely steep." Clearwater to Rove is a close second. Both are babies compared to the portage to Diablo Lake in Steel River Provincial Park. "


I think Clearwater to Rove is also a breadwalk compared to the South portage.
 
wvevans
08/30/2014 01:20PM
 
Thank you everyone very much. Maybe a better idea will be camp on topper and day trip to south for our 1ST winter trip. The way you guys are talking I'm kind of looking forward to seeing that hill for the first time. I couldn't imagine what it would be like taking a canoe up that hill the way you guys describe it.