The Portage between Weird Lake and the Temperance River

Click on the photos below to see the full resolution image - Use your browsers back button to close photo and return to this page.

Portaging Direction: From Temperance River to Weird Lake

The start of this portage is hard to see as you approach it from above the rapids. The landing is sort of hidden by tall grass and you may begin to wonder if you missed the portage, because the rapids you see ahead will start to make your eyes a little bigger. If you hug the right side of the Temperance River, the portage is just above the start of the rapids, but you won't see it until you are pretty close to it. It is possible to pull up in the tall grass and trudge through it to the portage too, keeping farther back from the head of the rapids, but this will be more work of course. The start of the portage is rocky, but footing is reasonable.

This portage descends a total of 13 feet along its 80 rods. Except for the beginning near the Temperance River end of the portage, there are few obstacles. The section near the Temperance River is rocky and muddy all at once.

Weird Lake offers a smooth, nearly beach-like experience for a portage landing.

Now that you've made it over the portage, visit: WEIRD LAKE

Portaging Direction: From Weird Lake to the Temperance River

Yep, pretty easy huh?

This portage runs slightly uphill (about 13 feet of elevation gain total) from Weird Lake to the Temperance River. The portage has few obstructions along its length. Just as you get to the end of the portage near the Temperance River, there is some water and rocks to step through.

You can't see this portage if coming down the Temperance River since that grass and brush just left of center screen your view until you get around them. You will see the rapids though. The pullout is just before the water starts to pick up speed. When leaving this portage if heading up the Temperance River, cast off from that little "bay" on the left and hug the left shore until you get a few strokes behind you. The rapids start just to your right, almost at your feet.

Now that you've made it over the portage, visit: TEMPERANCE RIVER

Return to the BWCA Portage List