Paddle Planner.com - BWCA, Quetico, Sylvania, and other paddling places

BWCA Portage 428 (Basswood)

You must login to upload photos

You can click on the campsites, portages, and lakes on the map to go to their respective pages. To see the portage on a fully interactive map, click on the "View on Interactive Map" link found below.
Approximate Length:
312m (62 rods)

Lakes:

Climb/Descent Meters:
12.4

"Hilliness" Index
40

# of Comments:
5

On 10/7/2026 7:51:08 PM, windflower said:
Visit Date:
10/5/2026

As others have noted this portage is essentially a road with no rocks or twist and turns, and the trail is for the most part level to very slight incline/decline depending on direction. I agree this is one of the easiest portages around.. The trial is not likely to get very muddy in wet conditions, Landing and disembarking on the Back Bay side is super easy on the gravel, mostly rock free beack. On the Pipestone Bay site there is a small stretch with exposed bedrock but no problem. Entry into the water is again super easy. Note I count this portage as something around 55-60 rods based on step counting, not the 70 as found on some maps.
On 1/22/2023 7:36:59 PM, dmarrone said:
Visit Date:
7/8/2022

Closer to a good dirt road than a portage. Presumably for using portage wheels.
On 8/10/2021 1:08:11 PM, dadof6 said:
Visit Date:
7/11/2021

This portage was the only place on our entire trip where the mosquitos were bad. Go figure. Easy portage with nice landings at both ends.
On 8/3/2020 12:55:33 PM, coloray13 said:
Visit Date:
7/25/2020

One of the easiest portages in BWCA. It gives false hope to first-timers.
On 11/27/2014 10:23:18 PM, TuscaroraBorealis said:
Visit Date:
10/3/2014

Literally - You could drive a car from one end to the other.
You must be logged in
to comment on portages.
Visit Date:
The approximate date that you visited the portage
Description:
Public/Private:
Public   Private
You must be logged in to upload photos
Back Bay portage
Back Bay portage by TuscaroraBorealis
10/3/2014
Snapper guarding the portage landing
Snapper guarding the portage landing by dmarrone
7/8/2022
New Messages