The Portage between Burnt Lake and Smoke Lake

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Portaging Direction: From Burnt Lake to Smoke Lake

A 90 rod portage which has a few boulders and rocks to dodge as you carry your gear across. The landing here on the Burnt Lake end has a smattering of rocks, but much easier to walk than the Smoke Lake side is.

Before turning away from Burnt Lake to start walking the portage, observe the shoreline in the far distance which is actually a large smooth shaped hill. It rises to 1,986 feet or 212 feet above the surface of Burnt Lake which is at 1,774 feet. The portage between the two lakes is mostly flat and obstacle free. You slowly gain about 30 feet of elevation as you start out from Burnt Lake, but you give most of this elevation back by the time you reach Smoke Lake. You may encounter a mud puddle or two or three. The landing is rougher at the Smoke Lake end (May 2020).
::See the portage back in May 2016

Arriving at Smoke Lake around sunset, with a sprinkle of rain peppering the lakes surface (May 2016).

The nice view is not diminished by the fact that the Smoke Lake portage landing is a mass of large rocks. You'll need to pick your steps. The water is shallow, so you can stand in it easily to load and unload (May 2020).

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

Portaging Direction: From Smoke Lake to Burnt Lake

The best place to pull up the canoe is on the far left. Water is fairly shallow and the boulders are fewer and not as big in that area. A moderately rough land and load spot.

The portage is nearly flat and the tread is well worn. This portage is along a popular route, so the trail receives a lot of traffic. A mudhole or two is possible depending on season and recent rainfall.

A look to the south. The landing on this end at Burnt Lake is easy. There are lots of boulders just under the water out in the lake, so take it slow paddling away from the portage (May 2016).

This view is a bit to the left of the image shown above, but about four years later (May 2020) on a much sunnier day.

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

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