The Portage between Paulson Lake and Sea Gull Lake

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Portaging Direction: From Paulson Lake to Sea Gull Lake

This is a tough portage. The 461-rod portage from Paulson Lake to Sea Gull Lake drops 225 feet of elevation going in this direction. The path follows a small creeks watershed. The creek flows from Paulson Lake into Sea Gull Lake. The portage was measured with two different GPS devices heading in the Paulson Lake to Sea Gull Lake direction, giving a length of 1.44-miles. Paulson Lake is sometimes shown as Jap Lake on maps, especially older ones. Jap is an abbreviation for John A. Paulson (J.A.P.). Make sure to allow your group plenty of time to do this portage. There is a bit of semi-difficult route finding required on this portage. Also some sections where walking can get somewhat difficult. You wouldn't want to be caught on this portage in the dark.

Beach landing on the Sea Gull Lake end of this tough portage.

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

Portaging Direction: From Sea Gull Lake to Paulson Lake

Fine landing on Sea Gull Lake.

This is certainly one of the most difficult portages in the entire BWCA. It is more difficult in this direction because the trail climbs about 225 feet in elevation up to Paulson Lake. So fuel up with food and water before starting this one. Also, don't start this portage late in the day. The 461-rod portage from Sea Gull Lake to Paulson Lake generally follows a small creek that flows down from Paulson Lake. The portage crosses this creek at least twice. Measured the portage with two different GPS devices heading in the Paulson Lake to Sea Gull Lake direction. The portage is 1.44-miles in length. This portage will throw just about every obstacle at you that you're likely to encounter on a portage. (Note: In this video, I took a wrong turn at the 45:36 mark. This false trail leads to an overlook of a small lake at the 48:25 mark. Followed the false trail back the way I came and returned to the actual portage trail at the 52:10 mark.) There are several scenic overlooks along the route to stop at if you need to catch your breath. The portage makes for a good day hike. Paulson Lake is sometimes shown as Jap Lake on maps, especially older ones. Jap is an abbreviation for John A. Paulson (J.A.P.).

Relatively good landing on the Paulson Lake end of this portage.

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

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