BWCA Portage 554 (Newton to Fall)

Easy easy easy. Flat, rock free, basically a road for small motor boats to traverse. The south side does have a fork in the path with a landing on each fork which could trip you up if coming from the north.

Difficulty: 3 out of 10. Four if you have short legs:-) As mentioned by other posts, the site is fairly flat, wide and also a mechanical hwy for small boats. This was the busiest portage I have ever encountered. There was a very large group coming in and a very large group going out. Not to mention about three other small groups working through as well. Everyone hit this portage at the same time creating an epic log jam. I'm sure this isn't the norm, but I can see where this could happen at a higher rate here than on other portages.

Nice easy portage. We went this way because we had a 4-year-old with us. No problems for her.

Wide, flat, easy landings, and lots of traffic through here. Ironically, this is the only portage I have every actually injured myself on. Twisted fate...

Designed for motorized boats with portage wheels. Wide, fairly flat, easy portage. Very busy with constant traffic of locals making day trips into Basswood.

We portaged this on two day trips. One with gear and the other without gear. Great side paths to see Newton Falls. Lots of garter snakes sunning on the path. Wide, nearly rock free portage. High traffic. The Fall Lake side is a bit of rocky.

Highway of a portage (mechanical). Used by motorboat people so, wide and flat - no obstacles (other than lots of traffic). Good put-in and take outs. Side paths for views of rapids.