BWCA Portage 296 (Hanson to Cherry)

We trekked from Gijikiki to Hanson and this was the last portage of the day. It was hot out too. Steep elevation gain out of Cherry. For 100 rods, it was tough. We were grateful the campsite on Hanson at the end of the portage was open. :)

pretty tough for only being 100 rods. elevation change is significant. Difficult but beautiful landing on the Cherry Side.

We now know why Cherry is so secluded. This one was a battle…up, down, up, down but the reward of Cherry was well worth it!

From hanson to cherry this one is straight up and straight back down. It's a tricky stop and proves a good test for the rewards of Cherry.

One word is needed to describe this one: Uffda! This one met expectations. Straight up, very short flat-ish section, and then straight down. I wanted to give this one a shot to see if it was as bad as everyone said - and I agree... it's pretty rough! Bring water and a snack; you'll need it.

This one feels like a long 110rods. It is clearly marked, although a bit boggy on both ends. A steep climb out of cherry, followed by a long meandering mid section, concluded with a long descent to Hanson. Clear to follow, just a bit tiring.

From Hanson to Cherry, this portage was a bear. All uphill until you hit a flat rock area then all downhill. No flat spots. Rock can serve as a resting area. The put in on the Cherry side is extremely tedious, deep water with no where to stand made it difficult.

Cherry to Hanson isn't as bad... something to consider if your doing the Lake of the Clouds loop or Cherry Topaz. At Cheery theres a grove of cedar and steep incline then down down down into Hanson. It a difficult portage bot with few obstacles. Lunar to Cherry takes to cake though on difficulty - although this portage is a bit longer.

Yep, this one goes like your heart rate...up, up and up! Thank goodness it's under 100 rods.

Coming from Hanson to Cherry, this was one of the more unpleasant portages that I've experienced in my eighteen or so trips. It just kept going up.........

Tough Portage, Steep both ways with tough Landing (Muddy and small) on Cherry. Make sure to put on bug spray before trying it or they will eat you alive.

Oh man. I mean... oh, man. As an experienced 51 year-old tripper who is perhaps not in the best shape, I thought that this may be the portage that I actually die on. Started giggling about 25% of the way through. Tough on the heart on the way up and tough on the knees on the way down. If it wasn't for the beauty of Cherry...

Agree with everyone--this is a tough one--our toughest or 16 portages over 6 days. It wasn't on our original itinerary but very strong winds on South Arm Knife led us to head to Amoeber, then Topaz, Cherry, and on to Hanson. When we told our outfitter about the route we actually took, he confirmed that the Cherry-Hanson portage is one of the toughest ones in BWCA.

I've got to agree with Grandma L on this one, her description sounds about right. After doing it 3 times in one day, this one will be hard not to remember.

We took this one twice and both directions are tough. For a short portage it is a hard one, but getting to Cherry Lake makes it worth it.

This seemed like one of the toughest portages of its length, primarily because of deadfalls. It takes the FS a while to get in here in the spring. We also had a wicked T-Storm on the Cherry end. Pinned us down for an hour or so, with several close lightening strikes.

About as tough as they come for a portage of this length in BWCAW. "Mostly" straight up & down. From both sides, there is a short drop before the actual summit just to give you a false sense that you've hit the top. A really nice grove of cedars awaits you on the Cherry side. Several are leaning or have fallen into the water, creating a small maze to navigate.

From Cherry to Hanson - Steep up, up, up and more up. Very steep down at the end.

Long climb out of Cherry and into Hansen, but not as bad as going from Hanson to Cherry.