Many canoeists use specialized canoe packs designed for both easy portaging and loading into canoes. The lower of the river are navigable by kayakers and canoers, without requiring portaging. It is said that they would cover amazing distances by portaging in their canoes. Many rapids end in dense "rock gardens" rendering portaging often mandatory. The difficulty rating is intermediate, with moderate portaging and advanced lake travel. To aid this, it has improved the facilities for portaging boats at the locks. The first stage is and includes of portaging. Places where portaging occurred often became temporary and then permanent settlements. Portaging is quite common in this park. That advantage became a disadvantage, though, when portaging was necessary. While portaging, Jessica of Team Grad Students stepped in a hole and injured her knee.