Portage between Crooked Lake and Owl Lake and surrounding area
Length in Rods: 55 rods
Date portage was last visited: June 14, 2020; Previous Visit(s): October 10, 2015
Portage Rating: Average
The Portage between Crooked Lake and Owl Lake
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Portaging Direction: From Crooked Lake to Owl Lake
This portage landing is at the very east end of the northeast arm of Crooked Lake. Here begins the 55 rod portage to Owl Lake. Canoe landings in the BWCA don't come much easier than this one (June 2020). There is an old rock crib that was used to support a dock. This structure is located under the water just offshore of the portage landing.
A different angled view of the portage landing. The water level was much lower than the image above. (October 2015)
The portage runs 55 rods. Shortly after the start of the portage you have to hop a small creek that flows out of a rock wall to your right. The portage is uphill and somewhat rocky and root tangled for about the first 15 rods or so. After that the trail is mostly clear of obstacles. The tread is slightly downhill right before you reach Owl Lake (June 2020).
Older video footage of this portage (October 2015).
After crossing the portage from Crooked Lake to Owl Lake, you find another smooth, sandy portage landing. Life is good! You are looking to the east from this vantage point. Just to your right (also right of that cliff) is a huge beaver dam. This dam keeps the water level in Owl Lake a few feet higher than it would otherwise be (June 2020).
Notice how much lower the water levels are in this photo compared to the image above (October 2015).
Now that you've made it over the portage, visit:OWL LAKE
Portaging Direction: From Owl Lake to Crooked Lake
A nice, comfortable landing spot on Owl Lake marks the beginnging of the portage to Crooked Lake. To the left of the portage (as you approach it from Owl Lake) is a sizeable beaver dam. It extends from about that large dead tree (left of center of your view) over to a cliff face. The water levels in Owl Lake will change substantially depending on whether this beaver dam is intact or not (June 2020).
The Crooked Lake portage landing on Owl Lake when water levels are considerably lower (October 2015).
A portage of 55 rods or so. This portage is nearly level for about the first 40 rods. Then it is downhill the last 15 rods or so. The last 15 rods are also comparatively rocky with a good assortment of roots criss-crossing the trail. There is a small creek to ford near the Crooked Lake end of the portage (June 2020).
Older video footage of this portage (October 2015).
View is to the west/southwest. Paddle straight ahead to reach the main part of Crooked Lake (June 2020).
Look carefully about halfway between the dead tree and the right side of your view, a little ways out into the lake (just beyond the boulder). There you can see an old rock crib that was used as a dock support. This structure is probably pre-1964; before the BWCA Wilderness Act was passed.
A full panoramic view of the northeast arm of Crooked Lake from the Owl Lake portage pullout (October 2015).
Now that you've made it over the portage, visit:CROOKED LAKE
