Early settlers in Minnesota's North woods found the "going was tough" and developed many methods to ease the burden of water and land travel. There are any number of portage aids that have been used to assist travelers in moving canoes and boats across rugged trails between lakes. However, none of these devices were more ingenious that the "rail portages" along the Loon river route between Crane Lake and Lac la Croix. The rail portages utilize old railroad tracks, mechanical winches and a boat trailer on train wheels to transport more than a thousand boats around scenic rapids each summer...easing the burden on area visitors who prefer to enjoy fishing and camping in the vast expanse of Lac la Croix. 
Contact: Fred Erkkila - 218-757-3358

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