The Portage between Little Gabbro Lake and Bruin Lake

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Some Fisher BWCA maps (depending on year the map was published) show the wrong starting location of this portage on Little Gabbro Lake. The portage starts back in a bay, due north of BWCA Campsite 1705, which is found on the west side of the lake. Also, some maps show the location of the portage on the Bruin Lake end incorrectly too. It starts near the middle of the eastern shoreline, not at the very southern end of the lake.

Portaging Direction: From Little Gabbro Lake to Bruin Lake

Near perfect portage landing on Little Gabbro Lake (June 15, 2025).

Portage starts in this rocky bay. The landing has shallow water and a gravel substrate and is a good place to pull up a canoe. This is not a heavily used portage (August 5, 2016).

View of the marshy area to the north of the Bruin Lake portage landing on Little Gabbro Lake (September 6, 2020).

There is still a lot of blowdown visible along the portage trail, but the trail itself is in great condition (June 15, 2025).

At the beginning of the portage, it is slightly uphill. (Note: This portage was done after a recent blowdown. Notice the huge pine down near the beginning of this portage.) The 281 rod portage than dips down through a lowland area. A small hillock is skirted to the south about halfway across the portage. The portage stays relatively level until the last 40 rods or so, where it begins a mild drop down to the shore of Bruin Lake. Overall, the portage loses 17 feet in this direction. This portage will take most groups 20 minutes to cover in one direction (August 5, 2016).

Landing on Bruin Lake (June 15, 2025).

Some giants stand watch over this portage (September 6, 2020).

Bruin Lake from the end of the portage. The landing on this end of the portage is fairly easy, but will require a little strategic positioning. The campsite on Bruin Lake is located up the hill from the portage landing. (September 6, 2020.)

Roughly the same view as above. (August 5, 2016.)

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

Portaging Direction: From Bruin Lake to Little Gabbro Lake

Mildly rocky landing at the Bruin Lake end of the portage (June 15, 2025).

(Note: There was a lot of blow down at this portage because of windstorm shortly before these images were taken (August 2016). Expect the portage to be in better condition as time passes and portage crews clear the downed trees.) This is a relatively easy canoe landing and you shouldn't experience any trouble here (August 5, 2016).

Compare the portage in this video (recorded in 2025) to the one shown below recorded just after a huge windstorm in 2016. This video was recorded on June 15, 2025.

(Note: Because of recent blowdown, lots of trees across the portage trail in this video.) This 280 rod portage rises slightly from Bruin Lake, levels out for 150 rods through the middle, and descends easily at the end to Little Gabbro Lake. The trail is sound with good footing (excluding the damage from the recent windstorm). The final stretch is somewhat downhill to Little Gabbro Lake. You walk across the trunk of a giant pine tree (victim of the recent blowdown) shortly before reaching the lake (August 5, 2016).

An easy canoe landing when you arrive at Little Gabbro Lake (June 15, 2025).

This view from the Bruin Lake portage is close to the angle of the view shown in the image below (a bit more to the left) (September 6, 2020).

An easy put in at Little Gabbro Lake. The water is shallow up to the portage landing and the shore is gravel and coarse sand. Similar to the view shown above (August 5, 2016).

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

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