BWCA Portage 917 (West Pike to Gogebic)

I have been to some of the toughest portages in the BWCA, and this contends with some of them if it's wet. Where to start? Terrible landing on the North (one can't get within 15 ft of the landing before beaching rocks.) From there begins the climb:upwards still upwards most of the way to Gogebic. One spot my canoe didn't fit (had to flip it down to a bear hug and carry it sideways through), lots and lots of loose rock, a couple low hanging trees to duck under, and a couple flat spots that trick one into thinking the climb is done. If you catch trout (or even if you don't) the cool lake is worth it, but there is quite the price to be paid.

From the rocky West Pike landing the trail climbs steeply to the extreme. As an added bonus, there was a spot where the canoe barely squeezed through a few trees. The trail briefly levels out at the BRT intersection before resuming the incredibly steep ascent. Only now there are also knobby boulders to contend with! The landing on Gogebic is a rocky, though welcome spot.