Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Skipper Portage ep 49
|
Author | Message Text | ||
treehorn |
So I guess I'm unclear about what you're asking. Are you asking about that specific portage from Skipper to Poplar? Or a particular loop, and which direction you should go? |
||
housty9 |
Krien2731:I've done that portage and going down was better then carrying gear and canoe up it, might have to save this route for another solo, girlfriend may not like that one. |
||
housty9 |
|
||
TuscaroraBorealis |
|
||
nofish |
There are advantages and disadvantages to doing the it either way. Portage to start your trip - heading west. Pros - legs are fresh and you're eager to start your trip so your mind will be in the best place. Cons - food pack is the heaviest its going to get and you'll be heading west into the prevailing winds (Although who knows what wind you'll actually get) Portage at the end of your trip - heading east. Pros - lighter food pack and you'll have prevailing winds at your back (although who knows what wind you'll actually get). Cons - You'll have already traveled a good distance and likely be tired and depending on how the prior days go you may want to be done and now you've got the longest portage of the trip to deal with. Could be in the worst place mentally. Personally I like doing that portage on the front end when I'm fresh and excited. The lakes heading toward Long Island are long and skinny so if you get any sort of north or south wind you can hug either shoreline for some relief making a head wind less of an issue. Only a true west wind would be a big headache. |
||
sunnybear09 |
The portage into Kiskadinna is brutal. I have done it twice, last time in June. From there on it is fairly easy with lots of site choices on thru Omega and Henson , but the campsites on Pillsbury are both minimal in size and quality. You then have two portages of a third of a mile each to get to Meeds. The portage out of Meeds seems to go forever--then you hit the Banadad Trail and realize you are only a third of the way out. And it is fairly steep in places. Both times I have taken this route I have wished I made the decision to go from Pillsbury to Allen to Horsehoe to Caribou to Lizz to Poplar instead. They are shorter and relatively flat and the total portage distance is less. These are popular lakes and you will meet people. It depends on your condition when you get there. I came out last June trying to beat a severe thunderstorm from Pillsbury thru Meeds to Poplar, hoping to make time, but failed anyway and had a terrorstricken paddle down Poplar to the landing. I should have taken the easy route and will next time if there is one. In short, both of the long portages are tough, the route is tough, but you will be largely alone if you can go early or late in the season. I have only met one other group on the portages, a first-time young couple going in to Meeds last year when I was coming out. It is a less-traveled route to be sure! |
||
housty9 |
treehorn: "EP 49 goes east to west from Poplar to Skipper, and doesn't really give you any option to start heading back west until you've made a circle out to Long Island, etc.Is it better going East or West,making a loop, starting at Mead's or skipper, I know on the bottom part West of Mead's there's some or one step hill heading to Long Island, |
||
Krien2731 |
I would rather take the long portage from Poplar to Skipper with an empty pack--however then I would have to do the God &@#* portage from Kiskadinna into Muskeg again and I won't ever take that trip again. Loved the area, but nearly shot myself to put myself out of my misery on that portage. Steep, buggy and every time I thought I was past the worst part, another steep climb/descent appeared in front of me. I would extend my trip another day or two and go all the way down to Cherokee and Brule, then back up through Winchell and out the way I mentioned above in order to avoid that one portage. As far as East to West or West to East--check the weather, or hope to just get lucky like I did. |