A heavily used portage in the northeastern section of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness underwent a major renovation this summer. The Stairway Portage, connecting Rose and Duncan Lakes, has employed some form of wooden steps since the 1930s. The famous wooden steps were recently replaced by a stone staircase, built by a professional trail builder and a team of five apprentices. To comply with wilderness area rules, no power tools or machines could be used.