Usually a son and I; get packs and any loose items - nalgenes, paddles, map - on shore to one side - one of us grabs canoe and doesn't usually set it down till knee deep in water on other side; my sons might garb the lightest pack with canoe - I don't; I grab heaviest pack and loose items; and we both head back unless there is only one trip left, in which case my son goes back.  We try to avoid as much loose stuff as possible anymore, frequently stuffing it in top of CCS food pack after first day.

Whenever possible, we'll try to trade back-portaging - ideally meeting a similar size party at the half way point.

Not real rigorous about the method.