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Post by intrepidcamper on Oct 18, 2004 21:14:31 GMT -5
Diabolical suggestion for new Queti-goers...you simply MUST try "the Wall" portage en-route to Sarah Lake sometime for a true northwoods challenge. How about a show of hands from the experts...who has been there? IC
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Post by qp on Oct 23, 2004 10:07:31 GMT -5
AH! The Famous Wall Portage. I can say I've been up the Wall more times than heading down it. I believe, if I'm correct it is also called The Goat Portage. Only passable by Billy Goats though The Nannie's seem smart enough to use the slightly longer but much easier path to the south. Us Billy's aren't happy unless we can climb that bolter scattered WALL. Maybe it's an ego thing But then again maybe not. The portage is really easy after that first climb. Anyone interested in seeing a couple pictures of that Goat Trail? qp
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Post by GladesGuy on Oct 23, 2004 11:38:07 GMT -5
Put them up QP I would like to see what I may be faced with on next years trip.
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Post by Stumpy on Oct 23, 2004 11:50:37 GMT -5
If you liked that one, then you should try the portage heading out of the northeast corner of Nub lake. It goes into the small lake just west of the top of Kett lake. I don't know if it's used much anymore but 25 years ago it went up at a ridiculous incline, along the base of a cliff. have fun
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Post by qp on Oct 23, 2004 15:01:54 GMT -5
I took one of my maps and marked it so you could see the approx location of the southern portage. The Nannie as I called it. Going up Sarah Lake towards McIntyre. I took this next photo of the campsite. I've spent several nights in this campsite, it is a well used but nice site. This is the one on the north end of the Narrows. From Sarah Lake side this is the Wall we speak of, although at the time of this photo we were coming in from McIntyre Lake. This next photo is looking down the Wall from the top. Althought the other portage is beautiful and has a large stand of pines mid way. It doesn't offer the view the Wall Portage does. I was looking for photo's of the other portage. I haven't had any luck so far. Only been on it the one time which was in Sept 2004. Pretty easy to find just paddle about 150 yards father south on McIntyre Lake from the other. They are a little closer together on Sarah Lake side. But I think it is easier to miss the south portage on Sarah Lake. GG when you are getting deep into the planning stages on this trip we should chat. Sarah Lake is a very nice lake and has several offerings to exployer.
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Post by tugaloo on Oct 23, 2004 17:36:46 GMT -5
Did the goat trail uphill in 1987 on the last trip of my fathers travelin' days. I remember saying that the 24 rod portage sure is a nice short one. We did not have a map with contours. It really is not that bad going up if you have good legs and lungs. I believe going down would be much more challenging. Keeping the back of the canoe from banging on the rocks would cause you to orient it in an awkward fashion of your shoulders. We were on our way to Darky to see the pictographs and then heading to Andrews Creek to portage into Tanner Lake. That portage was a whole lot worse, the most difficullt of the trip.
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Post by PG on Oct 23, 2004 21:33:01 GMT -5
We used to do the Sarah to Darky route when I was young (before the Canadians started charging for canoeing in the Quetico). I'm sorry to say that, while I remember the portages were rough - I don't have any coherent recollection of this particular portage. Maybe I should get out more (Yes!).
By the way, I've long wondered if Tanner Lake has any attachment to John Tanner, the circa 1800 "White Indian." It has been several years since I last read his biography, but it is probably about time to do so again. Though Tanner was mostly in the Red River country, he did travel through the BWCA/Quetico area on several ocassions. I've heard a number of associations over the years, but fear to say anything in case I have it wrong. Is anyone familiar with Tanner's story and his relationship to the Quetico/BWCA?
PG
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Post by PG on Oct 23, 2004 22:00:38 GMT -5
Trying to jog my memory - seems like one of the guides once told me Tanner was ambushed somewhere on the Maligne chain, on the river somewhere, if I remember right, but as I recall - they told me about it after we'd been there, so I never got it fixed in my memory just where. Also, at the time I had no idea who Tanner was, and it wasn't until I read his biography that I thought it might be interesting to know.
PG
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