BWCA Portage 560 (Vernon)

This is long and I would describe it as flat. There are a few hills and it was quite a bit overgrown in sections. Nothing to technical here on the trail.

Long but flat. Length is the only challenge.

There was 3-4 inches of snow at this point, and this portage just seemed to keep going and going and going. I went first with a pack to blaze trail while my co-adventurer took a canoe and a pack behind me. The bridge was pretty, though slippety when wet. Landings were okay. The length was the only challenge. Took us well over an hour to complete. Also saw a grouse on the way.

A rocky approach provides a tight landing on the Swan side. The trail has a few pockets of mud and boulders with a short bridge across a small brook thrown in for good measure. While there are a few ups and downs along the way, the gradient is never too severe. It's mostly a matter of overcoming the length (which seems longer than the stated distance). The put in on Vernon end is small, and expect to get a little muddy.

Obvious portage with little difficulty. Length is the only challenge.

This portage feels even longer than its 280 rods. The path doesn't get used much and is a bit overgrown which makes the rocky footing a bit of a challenge in places. There is a substantial elevation change, with Vernon-to-Swan being a bit steeper but shorter climb than Swan-to Vernon.