Joe_Schmeaux wrote on Sep 30^th, 2013 at 9:50pm:

Jimbo and Northwoods have also posted info on the high route. Lesson #6: Use QJ's search function when route planning to ensure portages are no more difficult than they need to be.  :)

;D ;D Oh sure throw it in my face!

I know, I know, but I much prefer to read other's impressions of places AFTER I've been there. Go figure.

The sad thing is I seriously skimmed all those since this was the first time I spent more than five minutes researching a route! I was looking for serious "no-go's" but I do kinda like a little mystery. I was saving east of Baird for an extension next year. As it turned out, Cutty, Nan, Eag, Cub didn't thrill me like I'd hoped so I decided to extend the planned route on this trip.

As far as this thread goes, at that one point I wished I tied my spare paddle in the canoe. I could have gone back to the campsite for the rod, picked up my stuff at the other put-in and used the high road. As it was, it just seemed easier to portage it all and just go back for the rod. There was only that one little (nasty in my book) problem area. The rest was peachy and there were no branches saying no, don't go there on either end like other non-portages sometimes have.

FWIW - My trip was the last half of August but with unusually high water so I didn't leave any warnings at either end. Stuff like timing matters a lot I find.