BWCA Portage 278 (Ester)

Steep, narrow portage. It climbs quickly out of Ester and trees hug in close which makes fitting the canoe through difficult.

Fisher maps shows this further south in the inlet than we would place it. It is almost hidden in the very north portion of the inlet close to Rabbit. Hug close to the shore and you will find it. It is a short but steep climb up to Rabbit. Delightful isolation on Rabbit.

Awkward landing on Ester. Trail climbs fairly steeply most of the way before giving way to a boulder filled, though more accommodating, landing on Rabbit.

Ester landing is decent but drops off quickly. Had to load the canoe with the back on shore, get in, paddle out, turn around, land again with the front on shore, then let the wife get in. Otherwise she would be getting in from waist-deep water. It's a steep and rocky but short climb to Rabbit. Rabbit landing is a perfect depth but has hundreds of slippery, pointy ankle-breaker rocks that are unavoidable. Normally I pick up my canoe while still in the water, but this landing is an exception.

Short, but steep trail up to Rabbit Lake. The landings are tight on both sides. The Rabbit lake landing has some challenging rocks to negotiate. No easier place to catch a laker than Rabbit lake.