The Portage between Misquah Lake and Vista Lake

Portaging Direction: From Misquah Lake to Vista Lake

You have to do a lift up of your canoe and gear onto those rocks. The water is clear and less than knee deep right along the edge with a solid bottom.

The portage is easier in this direction, as it drops about 40 feet in elevation. There are some rocky spots along the trail. Path is usually pretty dry.

This landing kind of stinks. Fortunately the water isn't terribly deep so you can stand in it if necessary. The bottom of the lake is full of slippery boulders, so beware your footing.

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

Portaging Direction: From Vista Lake to Misquah Lake

There are no great landing spots along this boulder field, so just have to make due. The bottom has lots of big rocks and they can be rather slick with algae.

Luckily this portage is only 55 rods, otherwise it would be quite tiring. This is the more difficult direction for this portage, as you will gain about 40 feet making your way up to Misquah Lake. The portages only get tougher if you are planning to continue this route over to Ram Lake. Consider this one a warm up. The portage from Misquah Lake to Little Trout Lake is considered by many to be one of the hardest in the BWCA.

The canoe landing improves a bit at this end. You have to drop your canoe down off a boulder shelf into the water. However the water is nice and clear and the bottom is much better if you need to stand in the lake to load and unload.

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

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