Done this are many times, once as one of the "school kids" you see all over Ragged. I 100% hear what you are saying. I was camping on a point on Ragged, just past the Ragged/Smoke Lk protage as you go out into Ragged. Sat on the little beach there all day ong watching the people coming off the portage. My wife and I will never forget the "bikini team". 5 aluminum canoes, three teenage girs to a canoe, all wearing bikini's, lots of sunburn there. I had to give them directions to the next protage, we still laugh about that. Nice area to go to. Going through there again this year on my way to Louisa. The Ragged/Big Porcupine portage almost did me in once, poring rain, humid, did not look forward to it, but it is not as bad at the "Devils Staircase" farther along. On Big Porcupine I must recommend a campsite. After the 590 into Big P. skip the protage portage that takes you into the south arm of Big P. and paddle to the right. You will travel along a little narrows then come out into the lake after crossing a little shallow snad bar. There will be a point to your left on the East shore with a site. Awsome site, big flat rock great for a table, and a big boulder that has worn down just right that you can sit in it like a Lazy-Boy.
9-26-2004
I agree with Alex. Keep right at the Smoke Lake / Ragged Lake portage. I was somewhat dismayed at the trash I saw on the Smoke Lake side of the portage...sigh. The portage from Ragged to Big Porcupine is about all I cared to deal with carrying a pack and a canoe. Since I am the designated human pack mule, I managed the 590 meters in one trip, but was darn glad to see Big Porcupine at the end!! If you arrive at Smoke Lake somewhat late, plan on staying the night on Ragged. We had a southerly wind to deal with and that made our late start even later. The portage over to Porcupine was worth it to get away from the school kids that we saw ALL OVER Ragged that night. If your group is somewhat large, the second campsite (if keeping to the right on the lake) offered on Big Porcupine could easily hold 3 or 4 tents. Porcupine was occupied that night by the more "diehard" canoe trippers....looks like the school kids stayed on Ragged. I am looking forward to next year already.
i have done this route many times and never fail to see trippers take the wrong portage leading you from smoke to ragged. this portage is labled as 240 m. once you have arrived at the 240 m portage after paddling smoke, stick right. not left. the sign at the beginning of that portage states the lake the portage leads to and the length of the portage but it also leads you to another portage leading to ragged but is very difficult in comparison with the easy flat and wide portage on the left hand side. keep "right" when you start this portage and you will have a much easier hike to ragged. also, on big porcupine lake, there is one really beautiful site that offers a spetacular view of the widest part of big pork. this site even has a rock oven that can be used to make bread, etc. the campsite is located on the a point of the shore and views the sunset. it also has a beach where you may swim but make sure that you don't hit your feet on those massive underwater boulders like i have. its a good site.
Comments
The campsite at Archer bay is great. It has a nice bit of grass mixed with blueberrys. Funny you mention the bikin's. Good for a laugh.
Done this are many times, once as one of the "school kids" you see all over Ragged. I 100% hear what you are saying. I was camping on a point on Ragged, just past the Ragged/Smoke Lk protage as you go out into Ragged. Sat on the little beach there all day ong watching the people coming off the portage. My wife and I will never forget the "bikini team". 5 aluminum canoes, three teenage girs to a canoe, all wearing bikini's, lots of sunburn there. I had to give them directions to the next protage, we still laugh about that. Nice area to go to. Going through there again this year on my way to Louisa. The Ragged/Big Porcupine portage almost did me in once, poring rain, humid, did not look forward to it, but it is not as bad at the "Devils Staircase" farther along. On Big Porcupine I must recommend a campsite. After the 590 into Big P. skip the protage portage that takes you into the south arm of Big P. and paddle to the right. You will travel along a little narrows then come out into the lake after crossing a little shallow snad bar. There will be a point to your left on the East shore with a site. Awsome site, big flat rock great for a table, and a big boulder that has worn down just right that you can sit in it like a Lazy-Boy.
9-26-2004
I agree with Alex. Keep right at the Smoke Lake / Ragged Lake portage. I was somewhat dismayed at the trash I saw on the Smoke Lake side of the portage...sigh. The portage from Ragged to Big Porcupine is about all I cared to deal with carrying a pack and a canoe. Since I am the designated human pack mule, I managed the 590 meters in one trip, but was darn glad to see Big Porcupine at the end!! If you arrive at Smoke Lake somewhat late, plan on staying the night on Ragged. We had a southerly wind to deal with and that made our late start even later. The portage over to Porcupine was worth it to get away from the school kids that we saw ALL OVER Ragged that night. If your group is somewhat large, the second campsite (if keeping to the right on the lake) offered on Big Porcupine could easily hold 3 or 4 tents. Porcupine was occupied that night by the more "diehard" canoe trippers....looks like the school kids stayed on Ragged. I am looking forward to next year already.
Dave
i have done this route many times and never fail to see trippers take the wrong portage leading you from smoke to ragged. this portage is labled as 240 m. once you have arrived at the 240 m portage after paddling smoke, stick right. not left. the sign at the beginning of that portage states the lake the portage leads to and the length of the portage but it also leads you to another portage leading to ragged but is very difficult in comparison with the easy flat and wide portage on the left hand side. keep "right" when you start this portage and you will have a much easier hike to ragged. also, on big porcupine lake, there is one really beautiful site that offers a spetacular view of the widest part of big pork. this site even has a rock oven that can be used to make bread, etc. the campsite is located on the a point of the shore and views the sunset. it also has a beach where you may swim but make sure that you don't hit your feet on those massive underwater boulders like i have. its a good site.