BWCA Portage 59 (Mayhew)

The portage starts a little brushy before the hiking trail turns into an old road grade. The portage splits off and then goes down a hill to Topper. Not terrible, but can be a little wet at the parking end.

Narrow, somewhat rocky landing on Topper that opens up nicely just back from the lake. The wide trail climbs fairly steeply before a steady descent all the way to the Mayhew Lake Road, intersecting the kiosk at the Munker Lake Trail along the way. Ironically, the section between the kiosk and the Mayhew Lake Road is not as well developed as is the section from the kiosk to the lake but, there is a short boardwalk to aide the traverse.

find this trailhead at the end of mayhew road where it intersects with carlson road and park in the small slot in the forest. DO NOT put into mayhew and try paddling to the portage. the path leads to the border route trail - don't get confused about that, stay to the left to get to topper lake. this trail is not used much and can get overgrown quickly. it is fairly easy but longer than normal feeling. pretty flat with a downhill toward topper but overall not steep. the previous comment and the elevation chart seem like they may be referring to the portage to south lake from topper???

Ok portage, level until you get into the BWCA. Top can be wet - creek crosses the portage and in high water it's a bit wet. Going in, it's a steep down hill - coming out just the opposite. I've not taken a canoe in here, but would imagine ends would be hard not to touch due to the steepness. Good landing at the end on Topper.