BWCA Portage 96 (Fourtown)

tough lift out. but easy enough

The Fourtown end of this portage was extended north a little bit so the portage no longer ends on a cliff. The old landing on the cliff is still there, but you probably want to use the northern landing.

In high water, we were just glad to get into our boat on the Fourtown end without swamping. There was no landing to speak of, just a steep hill. On the south end, the portage was under water with a surprising amount of current tugging at our shins.

Interesting reading the variety of comments on this portage. I can see that with normal water levels that this is a fairly short and relatively easy portage, though a bit rocky. We were there when water was very low. When water is low the portage is more like 30 rods and the Fourtown end is a very steep climb over large rocks with sharp turns and awkward steps and then a very steep downward climb to Fourtown. Still fairly short, but not easy. In very high water the normally calm stream is a rapids and you must launch off the steep rocks to or from Fourtown.

Seemed a bit tricky but not long.

Weird landings, but if you strategize who carries what ahead of time, it's not bad.

Be sure to have help at the Fourtown side of the portage. It is steep with poor footing. It is best to have two people to bring the canoe down to the lake. The rest of the portage is very scenic.

Seemed longer than the description. Appeared to be another landing on the northern end that was blocked by deadfall, resulting in a portage that felt closer to 30 rods than 14 rods. The length still makes it pretty easy, but it is a rocky, hilly portage.

I wouldn't call this an easy portage - short, yes. Very funky putting in and taking out, bony - no, beyond bony. This thing is just all rocks and they are steep, unbalanced, plentiful and slippery. Not a good portage.

This one is easy except for the landing on the North end. There are two landing options; both a little tricky. Heading North, there is a trail that goes left to the creek, and I would recommend this one most of the time. In high water you may get wet feet, but the footing is solid and safe. To the right, another trail goes up a bit then down a steep rock face to a landing along the East side of the creek.