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

BWCA Portage 327 (Rose to Duncan)

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:
390m (78 rods)

Lakes:

Climb/Descent Meters:
58.3

"Hilliness" Index
149

# of Comments:
6

On 5/23/2024 11:29:23 AM, Regepc1 said:
Visit Date:
5/18/2024

Of course it's a huge elevation change, but at least it really isn't too long. I counted the large stone stairway - 60 stairs - just in the one large section. A few breaks on the way up is definitely needed and don't overload yourself. But really, this isn't too terrible of a portage. I'd rather have short and steep than long. If time allows you should take the BRT west for about a 10 minute hike. Lots of elevation change, but the views are awesome. Take about a 45 minute hike to see an even higher and further away view of Rose Lake.
On 1/29/2024 8:23:43 PM, halvorson.christopher said:
Visit Date:
10/4/2023

I love the upgraded staircase. The wooden one was out of place. The new one is a work of art! Thanks to all who volunteered!
On 8/28/2023 9:39:05 AM, eagle98mn said:
Visit Date:
8/26/2023

Stairway Portage - I never saw the old wooden stairs but the new rock stairs that were installed in 2022 are beautiful, a very nice complement to Rose Falls. It is hard to believe they were built by hand without power tools. You are headed uphill if you are travelling south. It is steep, but what do you expect from a portage named Stairway? :) The Border Route Trail bisects this portage at the top of the stairs just past the waterfall. If you head to the east along the BRT for 5-10 minutes you will get a beautiful view of Rose Lake looking to the NW. If you head west along the BRT, you will get the NE view of Rose Lake in about the same time. If you continue west on the BRT for 2 miles, there are two more vistas. The first will look south over a marshy unnamed pond. The second at two miles overlooks South, Rat and Rose. This last overlook, although a 4 mile roundtrip from Stairway Portage is worth the time and effort! It offers a 180 degree view into Canada and arguably one of the best overlooks in the wilderness.
On 6/18/2020 5:54:44 PM, Riley Smith said:
Visit Date:
6/17/2020

The famous stairway portage. Yes there are a lot of stairs, but it is well maintained and the waterfall is beautiful. This is a destination for a reason.
On 6/21/2018 6:36:08 PM, Bradford said:
Visit Date:
6/13/2018

scenic portage with two sets of wooden stairs to climb - one with 23 steps or thereabouts and one with 90 some to negotiate. they are placed at a very comfortable angle for walking with gear so do not pose a big hurdle. good place to set canoe down near the falls to take a look. beyond the stairs toward rose there is more steep terrain before getting down to the lake.
On 3/30/2017 7:33:42 AM, swegler said:
Visit Date:
8/23/2016

If you desire a leg workout then this is your portage. Steep and a few other choice words will come to mind either direction you are taking. Don't be superman - rocks and steps are wet and slippery from the waterfall spray so take multiple light loads. Adjust your canoe angle with weight in the front or back otherwise you will be bouncing the front or back all the way up or down.
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
Stairway portage
Stairway portage by TuscaroraBorealis
Stairway waterfall
Stairway waterfall by TuscaroraBorealis
stairway portage going down
stairway portage going down by Bradford
6/14/2018
stairway portage going up
stairway portage going up by Bradford
6/14/2018
IMG_0994.JPG
IMG_0994.JPG by SoDak Cyclone
7/4/2015
Stairway portage waterfall
Stairway portage waterfall by TuscaroraBorealis
Walking into the falls
Walking into the falls by TuscaroraBorealis
Soaking in the pool below the falls
Soaking in the pool below the falls by TuscaroraBorealis
Portage
Portage by Mike Monahan
10/16/2022
Portage
Portage by Mike Monahan
10/16/2022
Portage
Portage by Mike Monahan
10/16/2022
Portage
Portage by Mike Monahan
10/16/2022
Portage
Portage by Mike Monahan
10/16/2022
Portage
Portage by Mike Monahan
10/16/2022
Portage
Portage by Mike Monahan
10/16/2022
Portage
Portage by Mike Monahan
10/16/2022
Portage
Portage by Mike Monahan
10/16/2022
The Old Stairs
The Old Stairs by Riley Smith
8/6/2021
BRT - Rose Falls
BRT - Rose Falls by halvorson.christopher
9/6/2018
BRT - Rose Falls
BRT - Rose Falls by halvorson.christopher
9/6/2018
BRT east of Rose Falls
BRT east of Rose Falls by halvorson.christopher
9/6/2018
BRT east of Rose Falls
BRT east of Rose Falls by halvorson.christopher
9/6/2018
Staircase Portage
Staircase Portage by halvorson.christopher
9/6/2018
Rose Falls
Rose Falls by halvorson.christopher
9/6/2018
Rose Falls
Rose Falls by halvorson.christopher
9/6/2018
BRT - East of Rose Falls
BRT - East of Rose Falls by halvorson.christopher
9/6/2018
Stairway Portage
Stairway Portage by halvorson.christopher
10/15/2023
Stairway Portage
Stairway Portage by halvorson.christopher
10/15/2023
Stairway Portage
Stairway Portage by halvorson.christopher
10/15/2023
Stairway Portage
Stairway Portage by halvorson.christopher
10/15/2023
Stairway Portage
Stairway Portage by halvorson.christopher
10/15/2023
Stairway Portage - rose side
Stairway Portage - rose side by halvorson.christopher
10/16/2023
Stairway Portage - rose side
Stairway Portage - rose side by halvorson.christopher
10/16/2023
Rose Lake Portage
Rose Lake Portage by Regepc1
5/18/2024
New Messages