The Portage between Vesper Lake and Gasket Lake

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Portaging Direction: From Vesper Lake to Gasket Lake

From Vesper Lake, this portage heads straight uphill for about the first 15 rods. The reason the path is so steep is because you are crossing the Laurentian Divide (the north/south version of the Continental Divide) along this portage. Water to the north flows to the Arctic Ocean. Water to the south of the divide flows to the Atlantic Ocean. At least the landing here at Vesper Lake is flat.

This 80 rod portage is steeply uphill from Vesper Lake and it will get you huffing and puffing. Once it levels out, you will probably encounter some blowdown along the trail. The trail is quite rocky. The portage is slightly sloped on the Gasket Lake end, onwards down to the lake.

Tiny Gasket Lake stretches to the south with walls of trees and rock lining both sides of the lake. This is one of the the more scenic and interesting lakes in this part of the BWCA.

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

Portaging Direction: From Gasket Lake to Vesper Lake

The portage to Vesper Lake begins at the marshy northern end of Gasket Lake. The landing here is mushy and requires attention to footing so you don't sink in.

From Gasket Lake, this 80 rod portage ascends slightly from the lake. It then passes through a section with some large boulders, which you must hop across. There are trees lying across the trail in several spots. The portage descends strongly as it approaches Vesper Lake. This portage crosses the Laurentian Divide.

Several marsh marigolds were in bloom near the start of the portage to Vesper Lake in late May.

Looking north across most of Vesper Lake. The portage landing on this end is in good shape. The portage to Town Lake is around the corner to the far left.

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

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