BWCA Portage 129 (Big Rice to Hook)

One of the most unique portages I have walked in the BWCA. I agree with the previous comment about the landing on the Big Rice Lake being a bit further South than indicated on the map. There is a rock carin on a rock about 50 feet from shore that really helps to find the muddy landing. Otherwise, the portage is so seldom used it would take many passes to find it. From the Big Rice Lake side it is extremely overgrown. Thankfully, the USFS (or someone) has flagged the intended portage trail. It is basically a game of find the orange flag. Even then it is still very easy to lose the trail. Bring your patience, you'll need it to make it through this one. 5/5

The landing on Big Rice seemed to be about 50 yards further south than where my Voyageur map indicated. It starts in some really tall thick grass. You'll probably have to let someone out to walk the shoreline to find the exact spot. From there the first 20 rods or so are very muddy before you finally emerge at the base of a large beaver dam. You'll follow the ridge line along the left side before finally pulling away into the woods. There are several nearly bare small granite knobs to climb and you'll skirt the edges of a few swamps. A portion of the trail was even about 8-10 inches underwater when we passed through. It's easy to momentarily lose the trail. But, common sense & the rock cairns should get you through without too much difficulty. There was an extensive display of pink lady slippers garnishing the mid sections of the trail as we passed through.