BWCA Portage 74 (Bench to Spaulding)

Don't do what we did! From the Crystal/Spaulding portage landing on Spaulding, you can see a trail straight across the lake. Don't take this one! The trail sputters out and will lead you to believe the portage has been swallowed up by the wilderness. The true portage is further to the west on Spaulding. Once you find the trail, the portage is very easy to follow. There are some serious switchbacks on the Bench side as the trail descends sharply to Bench. Searched for a bit to find a trail from Bench to Table, but didn't find any obvious ones. It would be a very quick bushwhack as you can see Table from Bench.

The Spaulding side isn't bad (aside from the mucky landing). Portage is a bit overgrown and trees/plants will whip your hands and catch your rods. There are some tight turns that would make it difficult to bring a canoe through here. The Bench side gets quite steep with an eroded trail close to the lake, and thus makes the the hike back to Spaulding something you won't look forward to. Landing on the Bench side isn't terrible. I would not want to carry a canoe on this portage.

WARNING: There is a false trail! Apparently the trail has been moved. The landing & start of the old trail are still evident but, the trail soon peters out into thick brush & you'll end up backtracking. The actual portage is on the extreme northwestern end of Spaulding lake under a large pine tree. The trail is quite overgrown but, still easily followed. The climb out of Bench is substantial & there is a tricky spot where the new trail intersects with the old one where you'll have be careful to make sure you turn off on the new trail. Lots of overhanging branches!