The Unmarked Portage between Bald Eagle Lake and Gabbro Lake

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Many maps of this region of the BWCA do not show this portage. It is about 8 rods long and is just to the right of the rapids as you approach it from Gabbro Lake.

Portaging Direction: From Gabbro Lake to Bald Eagle Lake

A rather smooth landing on gravel and small rocks wedged between the flat platform rocks.

View of the rapids with the water flowing from Bald Eagle Lake into Gabbro Lake. This is actually a short stretch of the Isabella River between these two lakes. The river flows through both Bald Eagle Lake and Gabbro Lake and eventually Little Gabbro Lake before reaching its mouth at the Kawishiwi River. The portage landing is behind you.

Very short portage. It goes down a little slope as it reaches the Bald Eagle Lake side of the portage.

A large boulder marks this end of the portage (half of it visible to the left). Landing is rocky, but there is good footing. Water isn't deep. There is a minefield of boulders just under the surface of the channel soon after your leave the portage while paddling toward Bald Eagle Lake (to the right in this view). During summer water levels, hard not to hit boulders under the waters surface through this stretch.

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

Portaging Direction: From Bald Eagle Lake to Gabbro Lake

Approaching the landing. Footing isn't bad and the water isn't deep as long as you don't venture far from the shore. To your left and behind you, the channel is full of submerged boulders that are difficult to see in the stained water, so you may want to take it slow in this area.

There is a short slope from the portage landing, then it is mostly flat the rest of the way to the Gabbro Lake side of this portage. Make sure to check out the scenic rapids.

A pretty good landing on the Gabbro Lake end. This little inlet between the slabs of billion year old rock serves nicely.

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

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