BWCA Portage 286 (Granite)

Lots on this rather short portage - mud, views, rocks, thick underbrush, etc. Good times!

Starts out wet and muddy, ends on a big rock, easy in and easy out.

Super easy portage. Some years, there is mud in the middle, but in years of lower water levels or if the BWCA is going through a dry spell, there are no issues with mud.

The south landing is typical as far as portages go - not a sand beach, but not too difficult. The first part of the portage (going downstream/north) is a muddy mess. When you reach the end of the mud, you have an option to head to the right and put in. This is probably not an option if going upstream because it would be difficult to reach against the current. This optional put-in is a bunch of loose rocks in a little eddy area. If you keep going instead of using the put-in, the portage will rise a bit and leave the mud behind. Now you will reach the gorgeous part. It is fairly level. Take a moment to go off the portage and view the rapids - you won't regret it. One of the most beautiful views on our trip. There are also tons of blueberries if you are going at the right time. Continuing on, there are a few places you can put in, but the easiest one is all the way at the end. It is a slightly sloping, big granite rock that would be very easy to load and unload - no wetfooting required.

relatively easy portage except for the big mudhole in the middle. Be careful. Easy to lose your footing when you hit the mud.