Grand Portage, Minnesota
Sunday, July 17, 2011
After Isle Royale, we visited the Grand Portage National Heritage site. The location marked a gateway to waters west of the Great Lakes via a somewhat brutal portage (walking canoes overland) 8 miles north through canyons and rocky trails. The Pigeon River is a tumult for the last few miles to Lake Superior, making boating impossible. Thus, Indian traders, French voyageurs, and the like would rendesvous here to swap goods and begin their journey back to the boundary waters to trap and trade. Loads were said to be near 90lbs per person on this portage.
