The Portage between Fern Lake and Gillis Lake

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Portaging Direction: From Fern Lake to Gillis Lake

The beaver dam at the Fern Lake end of the portage. The dam extends to the left through the trees and across the original portage path that led to the edge of Fern Lake. Therefore, the last 5 rods of the portage to Fern Lake are typically under about a foot of water. You'll have to slosh through the water.

This 25 rod portage is quite easy except for the last 5 rods at the Fern Lake end. That short portion of the trail is made a bit more difficult by the local beavers. Their dam causes the end of the portage trail to flood.

Gillis Lake end of the portage. A small, but otherwise good landing.

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

Portaging Direction: From Gillis Lake to Fern Lake

The Gillis Lake end of the portage is easy and also has a fine place to land your boats.

A mostly flat portage. The first 20 rods are easy as can be. The last five rods before you reach Fern Lake require wading through shin deep water. The water covers the portage because of the beaver dam.

A look at the beaver dam that is causing all the portage flooding. No sign of the perpetrators.

You can see the beaver dam at the end of the portage. The dam extends through the trees and over to the right across the creek that drains Fern Lake into Gillis Lake.

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

Return to the BWCA Portage List