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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Crane Lake to Grand Portage
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| sedges |
The big lakes toward the end - Gunflint, South, Mountain and Moose have no islands to get shelter from the wind. Knife Lake should probably be on this list, too. Be careful of being caught out far from shore in a blow. The farther east you travel the closer you get to Lake Superior the more you get fast, unexpected weather changes. Other big lakes like LLC, Basswood and Saganaga have more situations where you can use the shelter of islands and bays to make safe progress on a breezy day. Make wise, safe decisions and enjoy your wonderful adventure! |
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| MNGreene |
straighthairedcurly: "1) Water level makes a big difference. Even a small change from 100 cfs to 150 cfs can change it from a long walk to mostly runnable. I can only speak to the low end since my only 2 times on the Pigeon were in early September. In 2022, it was too low (about 100 cfs) to paddle English rapids (portage no longer exists) so I walked/dragged my canoe through. ... Given that you are going in July, the odds are good that the Pigeon will be high enough to run some/all of the rapids. If you have to walk/drag, it can be a 1.5 mile slog. I have a slight modification to SHC's directions on the Fowl portage. At the top of the hill, the portage (lightly used) is a 90 degree right turn and the scenic overlook trail (very heavily used) goes straight. Turning away from the most used trail is unlike any other portage I have seen. Beware, some people have been known to portage their canoe and gear up to the scenic overlook. The trip up and down fully loaded is not that pleasant. Not that I would know ;). One other thing. If you take your water straight from the lake or even if you filter, I suggest hydrating well on South Fowl or before. The water in the Pigeon can be silty. |
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| chrisknopf |
I have the following questions: 1. What advice do you have for paddling the Pigeon River in July? I have read recommendations that the river is best paddled between 100 and 500 cfs. I will be a Kevlar canoe, most likely a Northwind 17. 2. Is the English Portage still usable? I saw some posts where this portage has been abandoned. 3. I would like to camp along the Pigeon River and get up in the morning to complete the portage. Is there a campsite along the river? I have seen some references to a campsite, but I would like confirmation. Thank you and I welcome any additional thoughts that anyone has on this. |
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| straighthairedcurly |
2) English portage no longer exists. But there is a portage around Partridge Falls that doesn't show on the map. It is a little tricky to find your first time. Need to enter into the stream that comes in on the right side before the river turns to the left for the falls (you will be able to hear the falls). The portage is on the bank of the stream just after you enter. It follows an ATV trail past the falls overlook. Then start watching for the path that takes you downhill to the river a ways after the overlook. 3) You can camp at Fort Charlotte. The tent platforms are free to reserve. Fort Charlotte camping It is a cool place with lots of historical signage. Other notes: From South Fowl Lake, use the portage on the Canadian side. Just past the island with a cabin is a small bay where the portage starts. Go up the steep hill to a split in the trail and then take the path to the right. The path to the left will end up at an overlook, NOT the river. Be warned, the last time I counted the tree trunks to step over, it was 120. If it has been rainy, the path will also get very muddy as you near the end. Have a great trip! |
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| straighthairedcurly |
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| GopherAdventure |
Tony |
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| chrisknopf |
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| Bearpaulsen |
Hawthorns are thick at the Pigeon end of the portage from South Fowl. With the mud and endless deadfall, this portage took us the same amount of time as the Long Portage from Rose to Watap. The only good water on the Grand Portage is about halfway along the trail. |