The Portage between Pillsbery Lake and Swallow Lake

Portaging Direction: From Swallow Lake to Pillsbery Lake

This inlet (center of your view) against the rock face provides a reasonably good spot to park your boat. Note that this landing is directly across the lake from the portage between Swallow Lake and Meeds Lake.

Mostly flat portage. You lose about 15 feet of elevation from Swallow Lake to Pillsbery Lake. Most maps show this portage in the wrong place, especially where it comes out on Pillsbery Lake. The landing on Pillsbery Lake is about 600 feet to the east of what you'll see on most maps. The landing is easy to see from the water. Swallow Lake is only 275 feet wide between the two portages.

You'll find the landing on Pillsbery Lake a bit rocky but not otherwise difficult.

Now that you've made it over the portage, visit: PILLSBERY LAKE

Portaging Direction: From Pillsbery Lake to Swallow Lake

Landing is easily visible from the lake as you can see here. This landing is about 600 feet east of where most maps of the BWCA have it positioned. Exact GPS coordinates are: 48.01727691418503, -90.5721879004266.

Relatively easy portage with little change in elevation. The portage can get a bit overgrown in the summer as this is not a heavily traveled route.

Landing on this end is a little challenging. Just drop your canoe into the little wedge of water at your feet and back it out. You'll have to lift your canoe and gear up onto this rock shelf.

Now that you've made it over the portage, visit: SWALLOW LAKE

Return to the BWCA Portage List