A Roller Portage

A few years ago some flat lander posted a picture of a roller portage. In a personal message I asked him about it, you know the kind of interest that kills cats. My curiosity was scorned, was told that it was a big secret, however this past autumn while visiting my friends, grouse hunting, indulging in some fantastic walleye fish fries, enjoying fall foliage, bog trotting, cranberry picking and doing some lilly dipping canoeing. I happened to see a MNDNR Fisheries truck at a highway pull off. I stopped and asked the men that were there if they knew of a roller portage in the area or if they had ever heard of such a thing. They laughed and said that most any of the local folks knew about the roller portage that a former owner of a fishing lodge (DeerTrail Lodge) on Ojibway Lake that had built a roller portage to Triangle Lake to ease the labor of his guests, getting their motor boats to the better fishing that Triangle Lake offered. They also mentioned that there were free camp sites on both lakes. They thought that the Superior National Forest might even have a map/flyer available at their visitor center on Fernberg Road East of Ely.
My friends in Ely told me that when Deer Trail Lodge came up for sale, the State of Minnesota bought the property from the owner, removed the log lodge, made the current public access, boat launch and parking area.
Not a real canoeing trip, more of a lilly dipper, but I did do an overnight on Triangle Lake. Caught some bass on poppers and big Woolly Buggers.
If you want to save a few bucks while visiting Ely,
look these two Lakes up on your laptop. It only 14 miles East of Ely on the Fernberg Trail. Close enough to town that you can drive in for a pizza and take in a movie at the old theater.

Here is one on the Bloodvein River






Here is really massive one on the Berens River



The rollers are done!

Sorry Boreal !

I was hesitant to give up the Identity, of Ojibway lake. As I explained to you, a friend had introduced it to me it. Out of respect to him, I kept it a secret. I guess that's the way I am.

I'm also glad you found it ! Persistence pays off !

Ojibway Is a very easy lake to access. It is also the gateway to entry point # 29. and the Kawishiwi river.

For old guys looking for an escape, it fills the bill. The roller portage makes a nice day trip, into Triangle, without hoisting a canoe on aged shoulders.

We spent a couple evenings, camped on Ojibway. enjoying, reminiscing of our younger days.

Oh ! Where is the best spot to hunt Grouse up there ? Just kidding, I wouldn't expect you to give up that information !
Again ! Glad you enjoyed it !

Jim

I had a moment of fun finding it. I've never seen a roller portage before. I loved the rail car portage posted by @kahel and would love to have to the need to build one.

I thought I'd posted this here already, but can't find hide nor hair of it, so here it is, the ultimate in roller portages. Please forgive me if I or someone else posted it and I couldn't find it.

This was at the site of the whitewater slalom course at the Paris Olympics last summer (2024). Getting from the bottom of the course to the top again for another run was always a chore at the events I attended (long ago). The enterprising French fixed the problem though. Competitors didn't even have to get out of the boat. Paddle up onto the bottom of a wide conveyor belt in your boat, ride it uphill, and it places you in the water again, but at the top. Here's a short vid of it:

The Eagle Lake Tramway would be another great option if it was still operating and canoes were permitted. The links below along with the ones at https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/discover_history_explore_nature/history/allagash/tram.shtml and https://www.maineforestandloggingmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Eagle-Lake-Tramway.pdf have more details.

Benson

Boreal Birch said:

some flat lander

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@Jim Dodd are you admitting to as much? This cracked me up. Hope you’re well Jim!

kona said:

@Jim Dodd are you admitting to as much? This cracked me up. Hope you’re well Jim!

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It's hard to argue with it in the midwest!

Alan

Benson Gray said:

The Eagle Lake Tramway

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Yes, of course! So I guess I have seen the remnants of the same ilk as a young man.

kona said:

@Jim Dodd are you admitting to as much? This cracked me up. Hope you’re well Jim!

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Yes I am !

Born, raised and will die a Flat lander.

Jim

I used the roller portage in May on my way to EP29. Cool couple of lakes.

How about this one?



Reportedly built for a British prince that canceled the visit, it's off of Indian Lake in Ontario (full video is here). This is what I think of when I hear "roller portage". (Special thanks to @Jontario for the assist in finding his video... was driving me nuts that I couldn't find it)

So...here a couple of more that i have used: the km long Rail Portage into Kingsmere Lake in Prince Albert National Park in Saskatchewan. Load your canoe on the rail cart, launch and Paddle up Kingsmere to the portage in to Grey Owl's cabin.

And there is also a restored "canoe Ladder" between Lovesick Lake and Buckhorn Lake on the Trent Severn Waterway just north of Peterborough...